Quote:
Originally Posted by bloodhound31
WHOA! Dennis! That Topaz is amazing as are your shots! Did you do any focus stacking on those dragonfly images? What method did you use to steady your camera?
Awesome work mate!
Baz.
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Hi Baz
All these were hand held. I started off in macro photography using a tripod but soon found that it was too clumsy and time consuming to position correctly; usually, the insect had long since flown or I just couldn’t get into position because of foliage, etc.
I then tried a monopod and found it useful for working in a small area at the same level, but once again, when the insect moved it became too unwieldy to raise/lower the monopod head and/or reposition the overall set up.
I now shoot mostly hand held but if I am working a shrub at a relatively constant height, I will use a monopod to steady my hand. However, I use the monopod more as a support stick rather than mount the camera on a ball head on the monopod. Basically, I just grip the monopod in my left hand whilst simultaneously holding the macro rig in the same hand and by loosening my grip, slide the rig up and down the monopod length. This has proven to be quite an effective technique. I first saw Mike Ford on a BIMBO outing using a simple pole to do the same thing, although I prefer the monopod because I can telescope it down to a small, stowed size rather than carry a 6 ft pole with me!
None of the shots were stacked. The dragonfly remained stationary for 3-4 minutes so I had the time to change my position to get a reasonable depth of field.
Cheers
Dennis
That 's really cool Dennis. Those close ups on the dragonfly are amazing. Lovely colors on the wasp shots too. Top work. 
