just experimenting with colour.

phil

I, for one, think the colors are very complementary. Excellent exposures, my friend.

Kenny

That is one fat mantis. Secondary colours, blue and yellow mix into green, yellow and red mix into orange, red and blue mix into the abdominal purple, very nice actually. Did I mention that that is one fat mantis? My fave is the first and second frame.

Awsome Phil. How did you get the mantis to pose like that?

Apparently he fed it until it couldn't move.

she is still very agile, but stays still long enough to shoot. just sits and watches any movement i make!
hasnt eaten anything in 3- 4 days now
will probably lay ooth any day hopefully, or she may explode
phil

Wonderful shots Phil, the colour works well for me, great detail and light. Would like to see a shot with a full reflection as well.

Adrian

n0b0 wrote:
That is one fat mantis. Secondary colours, blue and yellow mix into green, yellow and red mix into orange, red and blue mix into the abdominal purple, very nice actually. Did I mention that that is one fat mantis? My fave is the first and second frame.

Wot he said! Terrific shots

Wonderful series- love the BG and colour
Brian v.

Love the color Phil

How far away was the flash from the subject -I'm seeing some clearly defined shadows and specular highlights that are a little harsh. Looks like there was too much distance between the light source and the subject.

excellent shots Phil

amazing colours love it

Excellent...very good control on your DOF, esp. in the first shot.

-Roy

Colour is great Phil. At first before the top image had fully loaded I thought the mantis was sitting on a leaf, I didn't realise that the leaf was it's wings. What an amazing creature.

I agree the background colour works very well
I like the last one best but they are all excellent
Pete

Thanks for comments everyone, appreciated
she has now oothed

john - yes agree about light, but was shooting from over 3ft, indoors
phil

Are these centerfold shots for MantisBabe Magazine??

Have had a grand time looking at your shots and have learned lot. Looks like it's time to pull out some of the old gear and play. Thanks!

Hi Phil,
I was hoping that someone might ask my question for me but. . . .
Can you give me a guide to your studio/setting for the mantis pics?
I'm thinking glass over the background sheeting on the bottom, but is that is all that is needed to get the subject's refection, or is thicker than normal glass necessary to get the 'mirror' effect? AND, from which direction do you supply your lighting to get the reflection without blowing out the reflected image due to excessive light from the actual flash? Hope that sounds right to someone
Bruce...

Hi Guys,
I would like to bump this one to try and get some info on the relection technique. . .
Anyone care to jump in and help out?
Bruce...

sorry for not replying, was dying with swine flu


used premium glossy photo paper curved up slightly at the back, different coloured cards for background.
set up directly below room light, used flsh at about 9-10 oclock position to keep light angle low. reduced fec to -2 to ballance light output with above light

phil

here is a quick shot set up with mantis nymph.