Bug odds and sods 12-06

Lord Vetinari

Some mixed bug shots from the garden.
Brian V.

Hawthorne shieldbug - natural light


Hawthorne shieldbug - full flash


Marmalade hoverfly - natural light


Marmalade hoverfly- Full flash


Helicopter ready for takeoff


Picture wing fly displaying


Hoverfly Syritta pipiens on potentilla

Gemma

Wonderful series of images.

As a complete beginner to macro photography I find the difference between natural light and full flash interesting to see - the full flash pictures seem to have richer colours which I like. Do you use some sort of diffuser with your flash? I've been sticking a bit of kitchen roll over mine though I don't know if that's right or not as otherwise the light seems too harsh.

Lord Vetinari

Thanks Gemma.
Yes flash tends to give richer colours/more contrast plus the detail shows up more whilst soft natural light can give lovely pastel colours.
Yes I do use a diffuser - see http://www.flickr.com/groups/macroviewers/discuss/72157594312315664/
At the moment this has some diffusion sheet from an old LCD and kitchen towel over the front.
Not sure how or where your diffusion material is mounted but it is best if it makes a large effective light source as near to the end of the camera lens as possible.
Brian v.

Gemma

I stuck kitchen towel directly onto the flash with some tape and it isn't as close to the end of the lens as yours.

Thanks very much for the link - I shall have to ask my husband if he'll make me one of those.

IPClark

Very good light comparisons Brian. I've often tried natural light using similar exposure values to yours but always find that the images get blown out in some highlights or look overly cool in temperature due to the AWB going overboard. Quite frustrating.

Joop

For me the natural light!
Perhaps the last fly, something more light on the eye?

Gr Joop (JPC)

keithrussell42

Nice shots. I, too, appreciate the addition of the two lighting styles. I see it's time to start hacking my flash :-)

Thanks for sharing.

Lord Vetinari

Thanks again for the comments- appreciated.
Brian V.