Backyard Macro Assortment

[astro_south]

Just wanted to share some shots taken over the last fortnight before winter sets in and the critters go and hide.

[astroron]

Fantastic shots Andrew:eyepop: I will not look at All creatures small again in the same light:):):)

[telemarker]

Absolutely outstanding set. :thumbsup: Love the hover fly - the way they zip around they are not easy to get with such good focus, bokeh and clarity. You must be thrilled with that one.

[dpastern]

Excellent set Andrew - especially like the first and 2nd last shots - wonderful HIF and Blue banded Bee. I've never managed the latter - never found any resting and they're far too fast to catch in flight etc.

Dave

[iceman]

Incredible shots Andrew, just beautiful.

[Dennis]

Hi Andrew

A wonderful portfolio showing off the amazing world of insects. All are superb captures, showing the mastery you have over this genre of photography. The detail and clarity is quite breathtaking.

Cheers

Dennis

[lacad01]

Very sharp and lots of detail :thumbsup:

[Quark]

What an incredible set of images, Excellent work Andrew.

Sharp as, love the resolution especially of the second last image.

What camera, lens did you use?

Regards
Trevor

[astro_south]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I am really happy with the hoverfly and blue banded bee shots.

Details: Canon 50D, 100mm f2.8 lens, 580EXII speedlite with a lumiquest softbox attached.

Most images are tv=1/250, Av= f11 to f16, ISO 400, flash on manual mode: 1/2 -0.3 power.

To get the hoverfly shot I had to go to Liveview - much easier to follow than with your eye to the viewfinder. ;)

[RB]

Stunning work Andrew.
Love the hover-fly shot especially.

Well done mate, looking forward to more.

[acropolite]

Fantastic effort Andrew, I too like the hover fly best, interesting the way he has his undercarraige retracted. By the look of those Aphids I wouldn't like to be a bud in your garden.

[troypiggo]

Already commented on POTN, but I'll reiterate what a wonderful collection here. Particularly the hoverfly and blue-banded bee. Very difficult targets captured professionally.

[dpastern]

Agreed. I'm quite envious of the Blue banded bee - I've seen a few of them but haven't had the chance unfortunately to get a standing shot :-( I have them and the teddy bear bee (both natives to australia, non stinging, non aggressive) on my shopping list. Oh, and a good damselfly shot at 1:1 too - despite many efforts, I haven't been able to nail a decent shot of one of them either.

Dave

[StephenM]

Fantastic collection of images, Andrew :thumbsup:

As others have said, the Blue-banded Bee and Hoverfly are brilliant!

Cheers,
Stephen

[Octane]

Andrew,

Just one word for this set: outstanding.

I would love to tag along to one of your outings -- not having done much in the way of macrophotography, it'd be a great learning experience.

Just need the 100mm f/2.8 or the L-series equivalent!

Regards,
Humayun

[troypiggo]

Humayun - I'd recommend starting with something in the order of 100mm FL - the Canon 100, Sigma 105, and the Tamron 90 are all very similar performance. The 180L will give you more working distance, but it's heavy and IMO not worth the extra dough. Plus if you want higher mag you get greater benefit from extension tubes with the 100mm range of lenses, they'll get you to 2:1 magnification.

For lighting, just put a Lumiquest Softbox on your camera-mounted speedlight (I assume you'd have one).

[dpastern]

I'll agree with Troy on all points here. Go the new Canon 100mm L f2.8 IS lens!!! Macro takes a LOT of practice, and a lot of patience. Like with sports photography, it pays to know about what you're shooting too. Insects and Arachnids have all sorts of behaviourial quirks and knowing them really does help!

H - if you're ever up in Brissie, I'm only too happy to meet up (say Brissie Centennial gardens) and give you some macro tips. Andrew and Troy are both experienced, and solidly good macro imagers as well, with enough forewarning, you'd have a bunch of us macro guys helping you out lol!

Dave

[ving]

wow! cool shots!

I see its aphid time again :rolleyes:

[Jeffkop]

Great shots Andrew .. Fantastic. A great reward for stopping by this forum tonight and looking in .. I dont think Ive seen better actually .. its a 10 from the Alstonville judge !!!