Macroholics only

Lord Vetinari · July 2, 2005

Some of my recent shots I thought worth sharing. Comments welcome
brian V.

A small parasitic wasp ?

Couple of hoverfly shots- liked this one because it seemed to have a semi transparent abdomen. Second shot is my first decent capture of an insect in flight- pity about the wings though.

A small cricket

Reception fading- must clean antenna

Couple of Flies including one for nzmacro

Couple of reversed add on lens macros that have been focus stacked with combinez5

Lastly a couple of spider mums- one with new eggcase house and the second one with babies on her back.

Nir · July 2, 2005

Brian,

I don't really like insects ... something about the theory they will at some time conquer the world ... but your shots are fantastic! Sharp, clear, detailed ... fantastic!

Lord Vetinari · July 2, 2005

Nir wrote:

Brian,

I don't really like insects ... something about the theory they will at some time conquer the world ... but your shots are fantastic! Sharp, clear, detailed ... fantastic!

Thanks for the comments.
Think you are too late with the conquer the world bit- they already have lol.
BrianV.

behr655 · July 2, 2005

Nir wrote:

Brian,

I don't really like insects ... something about the theory they will at some time conquer the world ... !

Do you mean they haven't already? This time of year it sure seems they have!

Bear

MuskyDude · July 2, 2005

Amazing shots Brian, the clarity and details are outstanding!

AJ

Lord Vetinari · July 2, 2005

MuskyDude wrote:

Amazing shots Brian, the clarity and details are outstanding!

AJ

Thanks Muskydude
Brian V.

Hauer · July 2, 2005

Hi Lord Vetinari - Wow! What more can I say, "it's certainly a Bug's World out there"! Beautifully captured..... well done!

Cheers - Herman

Khaos · July 2, 2005

All are fantastic. I love seeing a different world through your work. Thanks for keeping them coming.

I really like the first cricket shot. The lighting and angle make it more than just a macro. Very nice.

hesaias · July 2, 2005

Dude, those shots are amazing. The winged creature in flight is incredible.

How do you get shots like that?

Lord Vetinari · July 2, 2005

hesaias wrote:

Dude, those shots are amazing. The winged creature in flight is incredible.

How do you get shots like that?

Thanks hesias.
You just need the right equipment, lots of practice and patience. I've taken over 2500 insect shots in the last 6 weeks practicing, refining technique and the rig I use. To get the hoverfly in flight I just watched what it was doing for a while- guessed what it was going to do next and so was ready for the shot. Just to make it hard I use manual focus and my rig is handheld.
brian V.

Lord Vetinari · July 2, 2005

Khaos wrote:

All are fantastic. I love seeing a different world through your work. Thanks for keeping them coming.

I really like the first cricket shot. The lighting and angle make it more than just a macro. Very nice.

Thanks Khaos,
Now I seem to be able to technically take the pics ok, I am looking at more interesting angles/lighting etc- suspect it's the same learning process in any area of photography.
Brian V.

mplonsky · July 2, 2005

Some fine shots here. I have enjoyed the views.

tmlphoto · July 2, 2005

An amazing set of images LV. The BIF (bug in flight) is great. I have yet to get a sharp pic of a BIF. Keep them coming. I'm waiting for my Wymberly dual macro bracket to arrive so I can try out a new flash setup. Looks like you are pushing well past 1:1 ratios. Well done.

Netgarden · July 3, 2005

Lordy, Lordy, Lord! Those are fine shots. I love the spider on the moss, where oh where did you find that! I have a few katydid shots that are cute too. They are friendly and smile alot. Hate flies, but I know you boys love them,

hehheh, very nice!

tmlphoto wrote:

An amazing set of images LV. The BIF (bug in flight) is great. I have yet to get a sharp pic of a BIF. Keep them coming. I'm waiting for my Wymberly dual macro bracket to arrive so I can try out a new flash setup. Looks like you are pushing well past 1:1 ratios. Well done.

Jekyll & Hyde · July 3, 2005

J: Simply outstanding! Your setup is working wonderfully (BTW, what is it?).

H: I actually like the fact that the wings are blurry. Keep up the great work.
J&H

Lord Vetinari · July 3, 2005

Thanks all for the comments.

Thomas- Glad you explained what a BIF was

J&H- Using a Canon 300D Sigma 105mmEX macro lens, Sigma 50o super DG flashgun.

Brian V.

REECEPHOTO · July 3, 2005

Wonderful job on these!

3 and 5 are my favs.

Love the spider shot too. I hate spiders but love photos of them.
Keep up the good work

Lord Vetinari · July 3, 2005

REECEPHOTO wrote:

Wonderful job on these! 3 and 5 are my favs.
Love the spider shot too. I hate spiders but love photos of them.
Keep up the good work

Thanks Reece
Interesting you like#5- thats the only natural light pic there!
Brian V.

REECEPHOTO · July 3, 2005

Lord Vetinari wrote:

Thanks Reece
Interesting you like#5- thats the only natural light pic there!
Brian V.

Hey Brian ya know what I went back and looked at #5 beacuse of your comment my browser must have been loading slow or I compleatly forgot how to count beacuse, even though I do like #5 I was talking about the fly with the boubble #7 ...........oops funny you noticed it though.........dont get me wrong both fly shots are good I like the shapness of the second fly i like the comp on the first fly a little better. Hell there all good it's kida hard to pick.

photocat · July 4, 2005

Your shots are out of this world. They are so darn good that they give me creepers goosepimpels. Keep those beautiful critters away from me please

Lord Vetinari · July 4, 2005

photocat wrote:

Your shots are out of this world. They are so darn good that they give me creepers goosepimpels. Keep those beautiful critters away from me please

Sounds like you wish they were out of this world. Thanks for the compliment.
Brian V.

USAIR · July 4, 2005

Brian
Holy Cow just great macros
Really good stuff here

Thanks
Fred

Andy · July 4, 2005

Lord Vetinari wrote:

this might be the first fif on dgrin

well done!

Lord Vetinari · July 5, 2005

andy wrote:

this might be the first fif on dgrin well done!

Thanks Andy, but you've got me there "fif"?-guesses fully in focus, flying insect fotograf , fly in flight

Brian V.

USAIR wrote:

Holy Cow just great macros
Really good stuff here

Thanks
Fred

Thanks Fred
Brian V.

Maestro · July 5, 2005

Jawdropping!

I can't believe you took those shots without a tripod. Talk about a steady hand!

Lord Vetinari · July 5, 2005

Maestro wrote:

I can't believe you took those shots without a tripod. Talk about a steady hand!

Just takes practice. In fact when taking them the last thing I do is try to hold the focus, I am actually moving the camera back and forth and hit the shutter button when passing through focus if that makes any sense. Using flash with 1/200th speed helps as well. I also have a remote shutter release button mounted on the back of the flash bracket which seems to help stop camera rotation when using the normal shutter button.
Unless the insect is dead tripods are just about useless. Although I have used a monopod sometimes.

Brian V.