The bees are out!

DalantechDalantech Registered Users Posts: 1,519 Major grins
edited February 23, 2007 in Holy Macro
After many months of not shooting macro it feels good to have the camera back in my hands :)

All images taken with a Canon 20D + 100mm macro + MT-24 flash set to -2 1/3 EV. Hand held, no cropping, and minimal post processing.

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And now for the "fortunate accident". Bees move so fast that it's not uncommon for me to take a photo of a flower with some legs sticking out of the frame. But just as I got this one composed and focused (manual focus via the focus ring on the lens) the bee dropped back to hit another bloom...

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C&C always welcome :)
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Looking for tips on macro photography? Check out my Blog: No Cropping Zone.

Comments

  • PindyPindy Registered Users Posts: 1,089 Major grins
    edited February 21, 2007
    beautiful! just bought that lens, too so it's nice to see it in action.
  • DalantechDalantech Registered Users Posts: 1,519 Major grins
    edited February 21, 2007
    Pindy wrote:
    beautiful! just bought that lens, too so it's nice to see it in action.

    Thanks! More of that lens in action here: http://dalantech.smugmug.com/gallery/1590111#89581865
    My SmugMug Gallery

    Looking for tips on macro photography? Check out my Blog: No Cropping Zone.
  • gluwatergluwater Registered Users Posts: 3,599 Major grins
    edited February 21, 2007
    I bet you've been dying for the bugs to return. Nice set.
    Nick
    SmugMug Technical Account Manager
    Travel = good. Woo, shooting!
    nickwphoto
  • DalantechDalantech Registered Users Posts: 1,519 Major grins
    edited February 21, 2007
    gluwater wrote:
    I bet you've been dying for the bugs to return. Nice set.

    Chomping at the bit... :D
    My SmugMug Gallery

    Looking for tips on macro photography? Check out my Blog: No Cropping Zone.
  • SkippySkippy Registered Users Posts: 12,075 Major grins
    edited February 21, 2007
    Dalantech wrote:
    After many months of not shooting macro it feels good to have the camera back in my hands :)

    All images taken with a Canon 20D + 100mm macro + MT-24 flash set to -2 1/3 EV. Hand held, no cropping, and minimal post processing.

    130683967-L.jpg

    And now for the "fortunate accident". Bees move so fast that it's not uncommon for me to take a photo of a flower with some legs sticking out of the frame. But just as I got this one composed and focused (manual focus via the focus ring on the lens) the bee dropped back to hit another bloom...
    C&C always welcome :)

    I really like this second shot Dalantech, nice and sharp, eyes in focus, even has a little water droplet on the second front leg.
    Caught with the bee with its tongue out too clap.gif
    Great Series......... Skippy
    .
    .
    Skippy (Australia) - Moderator of "HOLY MACRO" and "OTHER COOL SHOTS"

    ALBUM http://ozzieskip.smugmug.com/

    :skippy Everyone has the right to be stupid, but some people just abuse the privilege :dgrin
  • DalantechDalantech Registered Users Posts: 1,519 Major grins
    edited February 21, 2007
    Skippy wrote:
    I really like this second shot Dalantech, nice and sharp, eyes in focus, even has a little water droplet on the second front leg.
    Caught with the bee with its tongue out too clap.gif
    Great Series......... Skippy
    .

    Thanks Skippy!
    My SmugMug Gallery

    Looking for tips on macro photography? Check out my Blog: No Cropping Zone.
  • tleetlee Registered Users Posts: 1,090 Major grins
    edited February 21, 2007
    Beautiful images. It will be a couple more months here before I have any little buggers to shoot outside--I am so ready... :D
    T :D

    www.studioTphotos.com

    "Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons."
    ----Ruth Ann Schubacker
  • Jeff FillmoreJeff Fillmore Registered Users Posts: 411 Major grins
    edited February 21, 2007
    Very nice - I really like that last one too. I just bought the Nikon 105mm vr macro lens- I can't wait for things to green up a little bit around here.
    Thanks!
    Jeff

    flickr
  • DalantechDalantech Registered Users Posts: 1,519 Major grins
    edited February 21, 2007
    tlee wrote:
    Beautiful images. It will be a couple more months here before I have any little buggers to shoot outside--I am so ready... :D

    Thanks! Looking forward to seeing your photos!
    My SmugMug Gallery

    Looking for tips on macro photography? Check out my Blog: No Cropping Zone.
  • DalantechDalantech Registered Users Posts: 1,519 Major grins
    edited February 21, 2007
    gdad wrote:
    Very nice - I really like that last one too. I just bought the Nikon 105mm vr macro lens- I can't wait for things to green up a little bit around here.

    Thanks! That's some excellent glass!
    My SmugMug Gallery

    Looking for tips on macro photography? Check out my Blog: No Cropping Zone.
  • Lord VetinariLord Vetinari Registered Users Posts: 15,901 Major grins
    edited February 22, 2007
    Whoops- missed these- Superb series- looks like you are getting the hang of the dual flash setup :)
    Were you ratioing the flash head power ?

    Brian V.
    Brian V.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/lordv/
    http://www.lordv.smugmug.com/
  • DalantechDalantech Registered Users Posts: 1,519 Major grins
    edited February 22, 2007
    Lord Vetinari wrote:
    Whoops- missed these- Superb series- looks like you are getting the hang of the dual flash setup :)
    Were you ratioing the flash head power ?

    Brian V.

    Thanks Brian!

    All of those shots were using natural light as the primary light source with the flash as fill. I had the MT-24 set to -2 1/3 EV and I always set the flash to a 4:1 ratio -less and the shadows are weak, more and I'll lose some detail in the shadows. I position the stronger flash head at the top of the lens and the weaker one at the bottom.

    If I'm using the flash as the primary light source then I normally set the same 4:1 ratio with the EV at -2/3. A little under exposure causes the colors to saturate, reduces glare, and it's easy to pull the exposure up in post processing. I took a few shots on that day just using the flash but I didn't like them -the background was just too dark.
    My SmugMug Gallery

    Looking for tips on macro photography? Check out my Blog: No Cropping Zone.
  • BigAlBigAl Registered Users Posts: 2,294 Major grins
    edited February 22, 2007
    Nice set, I agree with Skippy about the second being the pick of the bunch clap.gif
    Birds
    Bugs
    Spiders
    Flowers
  • DalantechDalantech Registered Users Posts: 1,519 Major grins
    edited February 22, 2007
    BigAl wrote:
    Nice set, I agree with Skippy about the second being the pick of the bunch clap.gif

    Thanks!
    My SmugMug Gallery

    Looking for tips on macro photography? Check out my Blog: No Cropping Zone.
  • douglasdouglas Registered Users Posts: 696 Major grins
    edited February 22, 2007
    Great series, the colors, sharpness and composition are all fantastic thumb.gif
    Best regards,
    douglas
  • DalantechDalantech Registered Users Posts: 1,519 Major grins
    edited February 23, 2007
    douglas wrote:
    Great series, the colors, sharpness and composition are all fantastic thumb.gif

    Thanks! More to come now that the critters are waking up :)
    My SmugMug Gallery

    Looking for tips on macro photography? Check out my Blog: No Cropping Zone.
  • Awais YaqubAwais Yaqub Registered Users Posts: 10,572 Major grins
    edited February 23, 2007
    so beautiful waiting for more :D
    Thine is the beauty of light; mine is the song of fire. Thy beauty exalts the heart; my song inspires the soul. Allama Iqbal

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  • DalantechDalantech Registered Users Posts: 1,519 Major grins
    edited February 23, 2007
    Awais Yaqub wrote:
    so beautiful waiting for more :D

    More to come this weekend if the weather holds my friend :)
    My SmugMug Gallery

    Looking for tips on macro photography? Check out my Blog: No Cropping Zone.
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