How to shoot macros when you are sick (pics)

Phil Peterson · Sep 15, 2004

Me too! Please pass the virus! Where can I obtain that lens?
Phil

Nasht said:
pvrnet said:

Well I have been suffering from a pretty nasty head cold the past
couple of days and the last thing I wanted to do was go out and
search for bugs to shoot and having to bend my head down (sinus
pressure arg....) to get the shot. So I did the next best things.
I brought the bugs to me. Well in this case one bug to me.

What I did was coat a couple of twigs in the backyard with a bit of
honey and waited to see who would come by for a snack. After a few
minutes a yellow-jacket stopped by for a bit of lunch. Here are a
few of the shots I got off.

Settings: 300D, Sigma 105mm f2.8ex macro lens, canon speedlight
420ex flash with lumiquest softbox. Shot in manual mode, hand-held
in Raw. Converted to jpeg using C1LE.

--
Rich
http://www.pbase.com/dickie/300d_favorites (Favorites)
http://www.pbase.com/dickie/macros (300D Macros)
http://www.pbase.com/dickie/photo_a_day_gallery (Photo a Day Gallery)

Click to expand...

Bratan · Sep 15, 2004

Wow, I could never get whole insect in focus, even at f/22.... Do did you manage to do this at f/11 ?

pvrnet said:
If you click here:
http://www.pbase.com/dickie/fauna&page=7

You can then check the full EXIF for each of the photos.

Rich

Bratan said:

These are incredibly sharp shots! What aperture did you use?

Click to expand...

--
Rich
http://www.pbase.com/dickie/300d_favorites (Favorites)
http://www.pbase.com/dickie/macros (300D Macros)
http://www.pbase.com/dickie/photo_a_day_gallery (Photo a Day Gallery)

amethystium · Sep 15, 2004

Wow, these are the best macro's I've ever seen. Do you think this sigma lens is the best macro lens out there? Did you sharpen all these pictures before resizing?

r1derbike · Sep 15, 2004

Man. That's quite the "holiday beard" on his face in the first shot. You'd think he would have cleaned himself up a bit, for the shot. ;-}

Charles

pvrnet said:
Well I have been suffering from a pretty nasty head cold the past
couple of days and the last thing I wanted to do was go out and
search for bugs to shoot and having to bend my head down (sinus
pressure arg....) to get the shot.

--
http://photobucket.com/albums/v402/r1derbike/

Digital Rebel users do it with bigger apertures!

kwollenberg · Sep 15, 2004

Wow, those are absolutely great pics.

Keith

pvrnet said:
Well I have been suffering from a pretty nasty head cold the past
couple of days and the last thing I wanted to do was go out and
search for bugs to shoot and having to bend my head down (sinus
pressure arg....) to get the shot. So I did the next best things.
I brought the bugs to me. Well in this case one bug to me.

What I did was coat a couple of twigs in the backyard with a bit of
honey and waited to see who would come by for a snack. After a few
minutes a yellow-jacket stopped by for a bit of lunch. Here are a
few of the shots I got off.

Settings: 300D, Sigma 105mm f2.8ex macro lens, canon speedlight
420ex flash with lumiquest softbox. Shot in manual mode, hand-held
in Raw. Converted to jpeg using C1LE.

--
Rich
http://www.pbase.com/dickie/300d_favorites (Favorites)
http://www.pbase.com/dickie/macros (300D Macros)
http://www.pbase.com/dickie/photo_a_day_gallery (Photo a Day Gallery)

Daniella68313 · Sep 15, 2004

again, amazing macro. wich one do you prefer? the softbox or the pocket bouncer?

pvrnet said:
Well I have been suffering from a pretty nasty head cold the past
couple of days and the last thing I wanted to do was go out and
search for bugs to shoot and having to bend my head down (sinus
pressure arg....) to get the shot. So I did the next best things.
I brought the bugs to me. Well in this case one bug to me.

What I did was coat a couple of twigs in the backyard with a bit of
honey and waited to see who would come by for a snack. After a few
minutes a yellow-jacket stopped by for a bit of lunch. Here are a
few of the shots I got off.

Settings: 300D, Sigma 105mm f2.8ex macro lens, canon speedlight
420ex flash with lumiquest softbox. Shot in manual mode, hand-held
in Raw. Converted to jpeg using C1LE.

--
Rich
http://www.pbase.com/dickie/300d_favorites (Favorites)
http://www.pbase.com/dickie/macros (300D Macros)
http://www.pbase.com/dickie/photo_a_day_gallery (Photo a Day Gallery)

--
Minë Corma hostië të ilyë ar mordossë nutië të
Mornórëo Nóressë yassë i Fuini caitar.
Un thoron arart’a s’un hith mal’kemen ioke.
Saurulmaiel

Sandman · Sep 15, 2004

pvrnet,

Outstanding series of macro images. Masterfully captured and post-processed.

You should be well pleased with these.

Cheers,

jim

--
Shoot more, ***** less!
galleries at: http://www.pbase.com/sandman3

Bill Robinson189160 · Sep 15, 2004

I followed a trail , to these images and like the honey , find them irresistible.
Awesome , thank you for sharing.

cheers
Bill

http://www.potd.com.au/billrobinson/
http://bill6764.fotopic.net

Lucy · Sep 16, 2004

Was referred here from the Oly forum ... to see your incredible macro shots! They just couldn't be better! Thanks for sharing....and the nice tip re 'luring' them within range!
--
Lucy
U ZI owner!
Olympus C30-20Z
http://www.pbase.com/lucy
FCAS Member #98
'Photography is the art of seeing what others do not.'

pvrnet · Sep 16, 2004

First off I would like to thank everyone here for the great feedback. If it were not for the macro club on this forum I am sure my macros would not be where they are today. This club really makes me want to improve. Thanks everyone.

Here are a couple of new shots from yesterday as well.

Those who do not know what I use:

300D, Sigma 105mm f2.8ex macro lens, canon 420ex speedlight flash and lumiquest softbox or lumiquest pocketbouncer (flash is ON-CAMERA). I use the firmware hack as well to control FEC. All of my shots are done hand-held and mostly in manual mode. I use C1LE to convert RAW images to jpeg and PSCS to finish the conversion for web posting. I will crop my images a bit to help with composition.

--
Rich
http://www.pbase.com/dickie/300d_favorites (Favorites)
http://www.pbase.com/dickie/macros (300D Macros)
http://www.pbase.com/dickie/photo_a_day_gallery (Photo a Day Gallery)

exylympus · Sep 16, 2004

I hope I can produce images of this quality one day.

pvrnet · Sep 16, 2004

I am not sure what you mean Bratan, but I do not believe the entire insect is in focus in any of these shots. What I do try to do though is compose the shot in such a way that the unfocused part is not distracting to the rest of the image.

Bratan said:
pvrnet said:

If you click here:
http://www.pbase.com/dickie/fauna&page=7

You can then check the full EXIF for each of the photos.

Rich

Bratan said:

These are incredibly sharp shots! What aperture did you use?

Click to expand...

--
Rich
http://www.pbase.com/dickie/300d_favorites (Favorites)
http://www.pbase.com/dickie/macros (300D Macros)
http://www.pbase.com/dickie/photo_a_day_gallery (Photo a Day Gallery)

Click to expand...

--
Rich
http://www.pbase.com/dickie/300d_favorites (Favorites)
http://www.pbase.com/dickie/macros (300D Macros)
http://www.pbase.com/dickie/photo_a_day_gallery (Photo a Day Gallery)

Justme · Sep 16, 2004

pvrnet said:
First off I would like to thank everyone here for the great
feedback. If it were not for the macro club on this forum I am
sure my macros would not be where they are today. This club really
makes me want to improve. Thanks everyone.

Here are a couple of new shots from yesterday as well.

Those who do not know what I use:
300D, Sigma 105mm f2.8ex macro lens, canon 420ex speedlight flash
and lumiquest softbox or lumiquest pocketbouncer (flash is
ON-CAMERA). I use the firmware hack as well to control FEC. All
of my shots are done hand-held and mostly in manual mode. I use
C1LE to convert RAW images to jpeg and PSCS to finish the
conversion for web posting. I will crop my images a bit to help
with composition.

Thanks for sharing your setup. Curious why you chose the Sigma 105mm f2.8ex over the Canon 100mm (not that it seems to matter based on your images)?

When do you choose to use the Lumiquest softbox over the pocket bouncer and vice versa?

The one thing that makes your macro work outstanding is the lighting and exposure (good composition and sharp image too, especially since you tend to handhold your shots). In your Macro work what part do you find the most tricky (ie. getting the bugs in the right position, getting the proper light, etc.)...besides finding the bugs in the first place?

pvrnet said:
http://image.pbase.com/u46/dickie/upload/33867440.CRW_1396.jpg

http://image.pbase.com/u46/dickie/upload/33867437.CRW_1390.jpg

http://image.pbase.com/u46/dickie/upload/33867436.CRW_1395.jpg

http://image.pbase.com/u46/dickie/upload/33867438.CRW_1393.jpg

--
Rich
http://www.pbase.com/dickie/300d_favorites (Favorites)
http://www.pbase.com/dickie/macros (300D Macros)
http://www.pbase.com/dickie/photo_a_day_gallery (Photo a Day Gallery)

--
I know you mean well but please do not link my images into the forum. Thanks.

http://www.pbase.com/golfpic/nova_scotia_summer_2004
http://www.pbase.com/golfpic/digital_rebel_birds

Eneref · Sep 16, 2004

VERY cool pics, Rich. He looks happy munching away on a treat.

--
N.

Post your files and links to http://www.rebelwithaclue.net
Personal Gallery: http://www.hplovecraft.net/gallery

Jezebel · Sep 16, 2004

The title of this thread should be changed to "How to shoot sick macros". I have to say that these are some of the coolest insect close-ups I have ever seen. Hands down. I'm sorry I missed it if you answered this question already, but what lense are you using for this? So amazing. O_O

--
Photography: http://www.autofocus.us

Painting: http://www.pocketmole.com

Andry187794 · Sep 16, 2004

Three questions if you have a minute:

1 - When using the softbox (which I plan to buy today) which way do you point your flash? Forward or at an angle? Same question with Pocketbouncer...

2. About how far away from the insect are you?

3. What do you have your FEC set to using the hack:Jump button?

Thanks,

Andry

pvrnet said:
First off I would like to thank everyone here for the great
feedback. If it were not for the macro club on this forum I am
sure my macros would not be where they are today. This club really
makes me want to improve. Thanks everyone.

Here are a couple of new shots from yesterday as well.

Those who do not know what I use:
300D, Sigma 105mm f2.8ex macro lens, canon 420ex speedlight flash
and lumiquest softbox or lumiquest pocketbouncer (flash is
ON-CAMERA). I use the firmware hack as well to control FEC. All
of my shots are done hand-held and mostly in manual mode. I use
C1LE to convert RAW images to jpeg and PSCS to finish the
conversion for web posting. I will crop my images a bit to help
with composition.

mcgurgle · Sep 16, 2004

Great, great photos - well done.

Can you please clarify if you used the EX or EX DG Lens, as I was led to believe the EX is not compatible with digital cameras !

Gary

pvrnet said:
Well I have been suffering from a pretty nasty head cold the past
couple of days and the last thing I wanted to do was go out and
search for bugs to shoot and having to bend my head down (sinus
pressure arg....) to get the shot. So I did the next best things.
I brought the bugs to me. Well in this case one bug to me.

What I did was coat a couple of twigs in the backyard with a bit of
honey and waited to see who would come by for a snack. After a few
minutes a yellow-jacket stopped by for a bit of lunch. Here are a
few of the shots I got off.

Settings: 300D, Sigma 105mm f2.8ex macro lens, canon speedlight
420ex flash with lumiquest softbox. Shot in manual mode, hand-held
in Raw. Converted to jpeg using C1LE.

--
Rich
http://www.pbase.com/dickie/300d_favorites (Favorites)
http://www.pbase.com/dickie/macros (300D Macros)
http://www.pbase.com/dickie/photo_a_day_gallery (Photo a Day Gallery)

pvrnet · Sep 16, 2004

Thanks Gary,

I am not using the new Sigma 105f2.8 ex DG lens.

Rich

mcgurgle said:
Gary

pvrnet said:

Well I have been suffering from a pretty nasty head cold the past
couple of days and the last thing I wanted to do was go out and
search for bugs to shoot and having to bend my head down (sinus
pressure arg....) to get the shot. So I did the next best things.
I brought the bugs to me. Well in this case one bug to me.

What I did was coat a couple of twigs in the backyard with a bit of
honey and waited to see who would come by for a snack. After a few
minutes a yellow-jacket stopped by for a bit of lunch. Here are a
few of the shots I got off.

Settings: 300D, Sigma 105mm f2.8ex macro lens, canon speedlight
420ex flash with lumiquest softbox. Shot in manual mode, hand-held
in Raw. Converted to jpeg using C1LE.

--
Rich
http://www.pbase.com/dickie/300d_favorites (Favorites)
http://www.pbase.com/dickie/macros (300D Macros)
http://www.pbase.com/dickie/photo_a_day_gallery (Photo a Day Gallery)

Click to expand...

--
Rich
http://www.pbase.com/dickie/300d_favorites (Favorites)
http://www.pbase.com/dickie/macros (300D Macros)
http://www.pbase.com/dickie/photo_a_day_gallery (Photo a Day Gallery)

kris_mcl · Sep 16, 2004

I've never seen the grid-like pattern on a fly's eyes in a picture before, that's amazing!
Well done, hope you're feeling better soon.

SelfMadeMan · Sep 16, 2004

...Since almost every time you post them, your pictures knock me out of my shoes... And you know what happens when you are catapulted out of your shoes without opening the laces ;-)

Guess I'll have to go to work with bare feets tomorrow

How about posting some bad pics to save me some pairs of shoes?

Without joke: Very well done indeed, Rich!

Greets
Reto

pvrnet said:
Well I have been suffering from a pretty nasty head cold the past
couple of days and the last thing I wanted to do was go out and
search for bugs to shoot and having to bend my head down (sinus
pressure arg....) to get the shot. So I did the next best things.
I brought the bugs to me. Well in this case one bug to me.

What I did was coat a couple of twigs in the backyard with a bit of
honey and waited to see who would come by for a snack. After a few
minutes a yellow-jacket stopped by for a bit of lunch. Here are a
few of the shots I got off.

Settings: 300D, Sigma 105mm f2.8ex macro lens, canon speedlight
420ex flash with lumiquest softbox. Shot in manual mode, hand-held
in Raw. Converted to jpeg using C1LE.

pvrnet said:
Rich
http://www.pbase.com/dickie/300d_favorites (Favorites)
http://www.pbase.com/dickie/macros (300D Macros)
http://www.pbase.com/dickie/photo_a_day_gallery (Photo a Day Gallery)

--
My Webgallery: http://1to1-success.com/
Check out my own music: http://music.1to1-success.com/
All my songs for free.

How to shoot macros when you are sick (pics)

Member

Leading Member

Well-known member

Active member

Active member

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Leading Member

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Active member

Leading Member

Well-known member

Veteran Member

Member

SelfMadeMan

Guest

Keyboard shortcuts