Today's shots with different diffuser setup.

[Paul5566]

For a long time now I have used just a reflector (pic 1). Today I used the setup (pic 2) and got these shots. The other day I tried using extended ISO 50 and noted the catchlights/flash reflections in the insects eyes was larger. This was due to loosing a stop at the highlights end when using extended ISO 50. This got me thinking of ways to reduce the catchlight size. I decided a diffuser may give a more even spread of light.

Using the diffuser in pic 2 I lost around a stop of light and had to up the flash power. This has increased my flash duration from around 1/5500 sec to around 1/3500 sec (T 0.1) The diffuser has made post processing slightly easier as any flash reflection is smaller and a little less bright, and the quality of the light looked slightly improved. I do edit the catchlights if they are what I consider to bright.

I may continue to use the diffuser as the flash seems to freeze the action ok and the post processing is slightly easier. Another small step in the journey to get the image I am after.

I don't expect others to see much difference but it is something I noticed.













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https://paulstickley.com/insects-and-close-ups

 

[aChanceEncounter]

How close were you to the bee? Just getting serious about macros. Thanks.

--
Paul

 

[Paul5566]

How close were you to the bee? Just getting serious about macros. Thanks.

My lens has a minimum focus distance of around 11" but that is from the sensor not the front of the lens. So all my shots are further away than that as I tend to crop in post and shoot from further away. I guess most of my insect shots are in the range of 9 - 18 inches from lens front.

I would add that in many years and thousands of photos I have never had any attention from the insects.

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https://paulstickley.com/insects-and-close-ups

 

[Mike Engles]

Have you considered putting a reflector on the inside of the diffuser, reducing further the amount of direct light, A round piece of foil would suffice.

I use a similar idea, using a foil lined Christmas pudding bowl, with my Canon 430. The whole thing can be moved around the subject, rather than just frontal.

It will depend on how heavy the Godox is





This is the kind of light

 

[Paul5566]

Interesting idea. I do use a bare bulb instead of a Fresnel head, this does help throw light sideways from the bulb into the reflector. I also would not like to loose any more light as I would not like to turn up the flash any higher. Thanks for the idea, I will give it some thought.

Paul Stickley - Insects and Close Ups

Paul Stickley Photography

paulstickley.com

 

[jim mij]

Given the "golden rule" that every flash deserves a diffuser then I'm sure it'll have a +ve impact, with hopefully little impact

But you do shoot at a greater distance than the oly 60mm folks

Looking at your shots from the other day vs todays ?, i'd need to see them side/side but i think todays hairs are a touch better

have fun with your new toy

 

[macrouser]

I like the result you get with that set up. I would love to be able to use a set up like that but I am just to fragile. Old age is like that.

I notice that the catch light is the shape of the diffuser and the purple color from the flower is refected in the lower part of the eye. I didn't know a bees eye was that reflective.

 

[Paul5566]

I like the result you get with that set up. I would love to be able to use a set up like that but I am just to fragile. Old age is like that.

I notice that the catch light is the shape of the diffuser and the purple color from the flower is refected in the lower part of the eye. I didn't know a bees eye was that reflective.

The bees eyes are like little black mirrors. They are one of my post processing nightmares. My use of the diffuser was an attempt to improve the the reflection problem. It improved a little but still requires post processing to make it look ok. Give me a wasp any day.

--
https://paulstickley.com/insects-and-close-ups

 

[Paul5566]

Have you considered putting a reflector on the inside of the diffuser, reducing further the amount of direct light, A round piece of foil would suffice.

I use a similar idea, using a foil lined Christmas pudding bowl, with my Canon 430. The whole thing can be moved around the subject, rather than just frontal.

It will depend on how heavy the Godox is



This is the kind of light

I tried this today. I positioned a reflective can lid in the centre of the reflector and it certainly took out the bright spot in the centre of the catchlights in the bees eye. The sticky tape was just for a test and I may now try a more permanent fixing for a reflective disc in the centre of the reflector.

When I used the diffuser yesterday I lost around a stop of light. The can lid setup only lost around half a stop.

I have edited the photos in my usual way including the catchlights but the catch light centres were not completely blown out like can sometimes happen. I don't think any of my experiments has improved the final image possible but the can lid may make post processing slightly simpler.

I must mow the lawn











https://paulstickley.com/insects-and-close-ups

 

[macrouser]

It looks like you are on the right track. Maybe a smaller center reflector that is convex and smaller.

 

[Mike Engles]

You do have to be careful with the reflector, or you might get a doughnut ring light effect. I like the idea of the lid, it could be filled with as suggested, convex- ed crumpled foil, to scatter the light more.

 

[Paul5566]

I got to thinking my can lid setup is almost like a beauty dish. Then I remembered Godox do one for the ad200. So guess what is on order It will be a useful addition to my photography gear even if it is not suitable for insect shots.

Dish

 

[aChanceEncounter]

I got to thinking my can lid setup is almost like a beauty dish. Then I remembered Godox do one for the ad200. So guess what is on order It will be a useful addition to my photography gear even if it is not suitable for insect shots.

Dish

I use my AD-s7 dish with my ad200 - works great!

 

[Paul5566]

I got to thinking my can lid setup is almost like a beauty dish. Then I remembered Godox do one for the ad200. So guess what is on order It will be a useful addition to my photography gear even if it is not suitable for insect shots.

Dish

I use my AD-s7 dish with my ad200 - works great!

I found the beauty dish spread the light so much I had to increase the power output to over 1/8. This lengthened the flash duration and subject movement in the flying bees became an issue. I have gone back to my 20 cm reflector and decided 30 cm was a step to far.