Phil Rose

This BIF shot was grabbed while I was trying to focus on a nearby Flower Crab spider (which was lurking on the same flowering basil plant). Oly EM-1(v1), 60mm mZuiko, 1/250 @ f/8, flash, handheld. ...

Is that an example of an "alternative fact"? :-) Anyway, assuming that the katydid was about 3" (7.5cm) long, your hypothetical "1:1 macro" lens would need to be working on a 4x5 camera...:-O Phil

A very nice set of shots. My fave is #14. Phil

...where unfocused images are made? :-) Phil

Yes, a nice image. However just for the record: the family of jumping spiders (and most other spiders) have eight eyes. Some species of spider have only 6 eyes and, very rarely, there just 4 four. ...

Isn't that the name of Sherlock Holmes's brother? Well, almost. Phil

Very nice job! I'm sure Amazon.com and UPS would like to figure out how to compress their shipments so efficiently (those highly compressed, foam mattresses come to mind).:-D Thanks for posting. Phil

Thanks, Steven and Roger. Phil

At times, nature comes calling when you least expect her. Yesterday, she visited in the form of an enormous hornet that flew over our breakfast table as I was finishing my morning coffee. Gigantic ...

Something about these, perhaps the very similar posing, makes me suspect that the spider subjects were deceased. Can you clarify for us please? Thanks. Phil

Interesting composition, however the lighting is rather harsh and could use some (more?) diffusion, IMO. Phil

Very, very nice! Phil

Yes, it is "normal" (based on my experience using a couple of flashes in Yongnuo's YN560 series). It's one of the reasons that a Yongnuo flash can sell for a small fraction of the cost of a Canon ...

They're quite close enough (to "macro") for me! :-) Both of 'em are very nice (although perhaps the noise-reduction is overdone?) phil

You didn't mention two critical variables : (1) do you require Arca Swiss compatibility and (2) what size (weight) camera will be used? Assuming a "yes" to question 1 and using compact size camera ...

What you heard (about Yongnuo YN560 flash failures) was true of their earlier models of the YN560 series (-I, -II and -III). However a couple of years ago an improved YN560-IV version became ...

Really nice (and vivid colors, too)! Phil

Thanks, John. BTW, I'm grateful for your many posts (and fine images) that made me aware of how useful it can be to provide a drop of nectar (to attract many insects and make them more co-operative)! ...

I heartily agree about Zerene Stacker: it's excellent software and well worth its cost. Zerene's author (Ric Littlefield) provides a very useful online manual and excellent support; he's also the ...

Her long winter hibernation is over, so I imagine there are only two items on the agenda of an emerging Lady Beetle (Harmonia axyridis): (1) "food" and (2) "sex". Here she/he is observed while ...