Hi Everyone... This weather is dreadful. So I didn't go completely insane, I collected a few bugs from my local patch and brought them home. (no insects were harmed during this production )
I use a compartmented plastic box deasigned for fishingflies to transport them. Then I spent a rainy day experimenting with a lighting set up. I finished with a nice series of ladybirds, soldier bettles and this... not sure what it is though (any ideas?). The lighting set up was two 550EX guns (one on camera set to 'master', the other to the side on 'slave') behind a portaflash 5-in-1 diffuser.
The light was nice and soft and reminds me of a nice bright but overcast day.
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II
1/250 sec @ F11
ISO: 200
EF100mm F2.8 Macro & 25mm+11mm Extension tubes
Tripod & 3-way head
2x 550EX flashguns wireless
Portaflash 5-in-1 reflector.
Not brilliant on Bug-ID, but it looks remarkably similar to the Green Shieldbug we found in a packet of 'lambs lettuce' we bought at Asda a few years ago. Poor thing had been in the fridge for 2 days, and heaven knows how long it had been in the packet (We let it warm up & then put it outside )
I can't ID the bug but I can say this is a very nicely taken macro shot with excellent use of the flash to create a very natural looking soft light. Your good technique has produced an attractive colourful image of something that I hope never to find in a bag of lettuce
I love the soft lighting you've achieved here Elliot. I agree with the Id too - the reddish final two segments of the antennae are the best clue from this angle.
Excellent Shieldbug shot with really good use of flash.
Superb eye-level viewpoint and I particularly like the gently curved layer of visible leaf and hairs in the foreground.
Looks like the bug was even good enough to turn his head and look straight at you.
Thanks for all the great comments. I am far from a bug specialist and have only recently started paying more of an interest. Have practiced a lot with the lighting since and I think I have nailed it. Cheers for the feedback Will say one thing... I HATE SENSOR DUST! Have just noticed how bad it is as I hardly ever shoot on anything smaller than F8... These are F11-F16 and the dust is a nightmare!
Discussion
7 repliesI use a compartmented plastic box deasigned for fishingflies to transport them. Then I spent a rainy day experimenting with a lighting set up. I finished with a nice series of ladybirds, soldier bettles and this... not sure what it is though (any ideas?). The lighting set up was two 550EX guns (one on camera set to 'master', the other to the side on 'slave') behind a portaflash 5-in-1 diffuser.
The light was nice and soft and reminds me of a nice bright but overcast day.
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II
1/250 sec @ F11
ISO: 200
EF100mm F2.8 Macro & 25mm+11mm Extension tubes
Tripod & 3-way head
2x 550EX flashguns wireless
Portaflash 5-in-1 reflector.
I can't ID the bug but I can say this is a very nicely taken macro shot with excellent use of the flash to create a very natural looking soft light. Your good technique has produced an attractive colourful image of something that I hope never to find in a bag of lettuce
cheers
Sean
Very nice indeed and a great example of what you can do when the weather is against you...
Nick is correct with the ID Green Shield bug Palomena prasina.
Like the angle of view and the lighting is very complimentary..... well done
David
Superb eye-level viewpoint and I particularly like the gently curved layer of visible leaf and hairs in the foreground.
Looks like the bug was even good enough to turn his head and look straight at you.