Here are a few macro photos from recent outings to Roma Street Parklands in Brisbane. The insects are few and far between with the cooler weather, although a couple of small garden beds that had flowering poppies seemed to attract the bees. The bees appeared frantic in their efforts to collect pollen from the poppies and it was quite difficult keeping them in frame.
Another smorgasbord of vivid colors and details! They're all great. Top work there again Dennis. You've got that Macro rig really well tuned up. Inspirational stuff. National Geographic grade.
Thanks for the nice comments and I’m pleased that you found them interesting.
I will add that these are the best of perhaps 100+ shots and that they are not straight out of the camera. I generally use the Topaz Plug Ins in CS5 (upgraded 2 weeks ago!) as follows, as I find that it makes the photos “pop” to use the common idiom.
Topaz Adjust
I usually use the default “photo pop” setting in Topaz Adjust on a new layer and blend it in as “Colour” at “33%”.
Topaz Detail
I use the “Micro Contrast Enhancement” setting in Topaz Detail again on a new layer and blend it in as “Luminosity” at “33%”.
Topaz DeNoise
I mostly use the Raw Moderate setting and if that kills off too much detail in the insect, I mask the insect so the noise control is mainly applied to the background.
Cheers
Dennis
EDIT:
I’ve just noticed on their website that the Topaz Plug In Bundle for Photoshop is currently on offer at US $179.99 compared to the list price of US $340.00.
Last edited by Dennis; 24-06-2010 at 10:28 AM.
Reason: Topaz offer details added
Hmm, I think that a lot of the Roma Street Parkland bugs have now gone to ground for their winters hibernate! I dropped my wife off at the RNA showgrounds for a festival at the weekend and then went walkabout (sans camera) in the gardens. The only action I saw was limited to maybe 5 or 6 bees in one of the poppy beds.
Mind you, I wasn’t looking for the sub-millimetre stuff that you guys are used to shooting!
Lots of flowers and shrubs though, and I did spot a family of Wrens flitting around – very uplifting!
Cheers
Dennis
Quote:
Originally Posted by astro_south
Great stuff Dennis
I'm just about to start some long awaited time off and if you are in need of some company on your macro hunts over the next two weeks let me know
I suspect as such. Hey, I've been thinking about this for some time. Would any of you BIMBOs be interested some time to visit an apiary to shoot bees at a hive? Might have to wait a few months, but I'm sure we could find someone who has one that would let us suit up and shoot bees. Dunno, something different?
Nice work!
