Shot at two to five times life size with a Canon MPE-65mm macro lens.
Windy conditions worked for and against me -the critter was more than happy to take a break on my finger but the wind and the dust made its eyes dirty...
gd shots john,how did u have the flash heads for this shot?are u still doing 3clicks out for 1:1,2 clicks out for 2:1and pushed right in for 3 - 5:1?are u still putting the heads at 12 and 3?
M.junkie wrote:
gd shots john,how did u have the flash heads for this shot?are u still doing 3clicks out for 1:1,2 clicks out for 2:1and pushed right in for 3 - 5:1?are u still putting the heads at 12 and 3?
Both flash heads pushed all the way down against the lens -the angle varies with the scene but for this set (and with using the Sto-Fens) it seemed to work well. One flash head at 11 and the other at 2. I have to keep one head at 11 so that the light meter in the 40D doesn't get confused. I contacted Canon about it and the only option they gave me was to send all of my gear to a service center and unless they shoot at the angles I do they'll never see the problem...
FWIW: Putting the flash heads at 11 and 2 will give you light that wraps around the subject so that no matter how the critter is positioned you'll get good detail on both sides, but since the light isn't centered the shadows will be a little heavier on one side of the subject than the other and it will keep it from looking flat...
bsteels wrote:
Great job - as always... I would love if there was a bit more DOF in 2 & 3, but I know it would mean stacking. The detail is amazing.
But not getting a lot of detail behind the eyes keeps you looking at them and not getting distracted -and keeping your attention on the eyes is what I want in these photos
Excellent series. I do like #1 because it's neat to see your finger in the shot.
I'd be interested in hearing what you've found out about auto flash exposure with your 40D and the MT-24/MP-E combo. I've had a lot of occasions where the ETTL system totally blows things out for me. If you've got something figured out about it, that might be helpful.
JimH. wrote:
Excellent series. I do like #1 because it's neat to see your finger in the shot.
I'd be interested in hearing what you've found out about auto flash exposure with your 40D and the MT-24/MP-E combo. I've had a lot of occasions where the ETTL system totally blows things out for me. If you've got something figured out about it, that might be helpful.
LordV wrote:
LOvely captures John - still never seen a robber fly- just don't get them in my garden
Brian V.
I don't see them often here either. Unlike a dragonfly they perch high off the ground and often do not return to the same spot after attacking prey so they are difficult to find. I got lucky in that this one landed right in front of me -pretty sure it was worn out from fighting the wind.
