Thanks. I took several, but I found this angle intriguing. I was on the fence regarding whether the flowers on the right made an interesting frame or were a distraction. You might be right.
Im still figuring out how I like to expose the image with the combo of ambient plus flash in order to eat sufficient depth at a low enough ISO without the ambient being more than a couple stops under exposed. I wasn't too fond of the few that I took that were 80% flash exposure and looked like night photos.
You mostly shoot MPE with a bracketed flash, right? Do you have a "rule" for exposure?
Husker wrote:
You mostly shoot MPE with a bracketed flash, right? Do you have a "rule" for exposure?
I have never owned an MPE. For a long time, I thought I wanted one but internal problems and a lack of spares changes my mind.
I use various lenses. Recently, for all but the highest magnifciations, I use either a 2:1 Oshiro 60mm macro or an Olympus 50mm f2 macro, often with a matched x2TC behind it. For higher magnifications I use this lens +/- TC plus a Raynox MSN-202 supplemetary. For the best quality high maginification, 6mm FOV, I use my reversed Schneider HM40mm on extension (220mm) for full format. All of the above on m4/3.
Depends what you mean by "bracketed". I use TTL mettering and RC. My main flash is on an L-bracket via a ball joint. The slaves have their own stands. When I can, I use all three but when above ground level, and not on a table, I hold the second one in the hand supposting and aiming the lens. I don't bracket the exposure.
I also do quite a few dayligh shots (aperture priority, again using TTL metering. The biggest problem is remebering to change White Balance.
e6filmuser wrote:
I have never owned an MPE. For a long time, I thought I wanted one but internal problems and a lack of spares changes my mind.
I use various lenses. Recently, for all but the highest magnifciations, I use either a 2:1 Oshiro 60mm macro or an Olympus 50mm f2 macro, often with a matched x2TC behind it. For higher magnifications I use this lens +/- TC plus a Raynox MSN-202 supplemetary. For the best quality high maginification, 6mm FOV, I use my reversed Schneider HM40mm on extension (220mm) for full format. All of the above on m4/3.
Depends what you mean by "bracketed". I use TTL mettering and RC. My main flash is on an L-bracket via a ball joint. The slaves have their own stands. When I can, I use all three but when above ground level, and not on a table, I hold the second one in the hand supposting and aiming the lens. I don't bracket the exposure.
I also do quite a few dayligh shots (aperture priority, again using TTL metering. The biggest problem is remebering to change White Balance.
I must have mixed you up with one of the other macro veterans. Thanks for all the info. I have heard good things about the Oshiro 60mm, and it is quite a good price.
By bracketed, I meant a physical bracket arm for a TTL flash, not metering. I'm happy with the little twin flash so far. I used to set up elaborate flash systems for other photos, and I appreciate the portability of this flash system. However, If too high of a percentage of the exposure if from the flash, it can look pretty flat.
I'm Simon, not new to photography but new to macro work (probably about a month or so) and I joined the forum yesterday after a bit of lurking.
Thought I'd post a couple of my pics. They were taken with my Canon 77D wih the EF-S 55-250 IS STM lens plus 56mm of extension tubes. Lit by an off camera Yongnuo YN600EX-RT II flash (with my DIY 3D printed concave diffuser).
I've tried a few combinations of the various lenses I've got including reversing some of them and I've found I get the most pleasing results (to me anyway) with this combo. Although now I'm saving up for a dedicated macro lens as I've really fallen in love with this tiny world.
You have made a very good start. I think your caterpillar is of a Yellow-tail moth. The problem is that your image has more detail than there is in images I have compared it with! So I can't compare exactly.
e6filmuser wrote:
In view of the amount of detail, perhaps you could post a few more?
Harold
Here's a link to an album of shots I took down by the local canal yesterday evening (I only went out to test my new diffuser). There are a few more of the caterpillar among them. All images there are straight from the camera.
PunchyPariah wrote: Here's a link to an album of shots I took down by the local canal yesterday evening (I only went out to test my new diffuser). There are a few more of the caterpillar among them. All images there are straight from the camera.
Thanks. Yes. you chose the best one. The one rearing up is probably also OK. A second flash, to fill the shadows, would have given you a few more.
Please critique lighting as I configure flash and diffuser. I didn’t attempt to capture a portfolio image, just want to get the lighting close before I progress to the next step of learning macro.
My own critique notices the hot spots and lead me to believe I need to get the two strobes closer and at more of a 90-degree angle to the lens. I may need better diffusion as well. I assume the farther the light gets from the subject the harsher it gets?
This is a hand-held snapshot I just took in the back yard to test light quality. On a tripod I believe I could get closer but the bees don’t stay put very long, not that bees will be a main subject for me.
Two each Nikon SB-800’s with LumiQuest mini softbox triggered by an SU-800.
Once I get the lighting close, I’ll move on to the next step.
Please critique lighting as I configure flash and diffuser. I didn’t attempt to capture a portfolio image, just want to get the lighting close before I progress to the next step of learning macro.
http://www.pbase.com/georger/image/166276523.jpg
George.
Your step by step approach is my kind of thinking.
I think your lighting is good. What got my attention was the noise in the image. When I see a noisy image I move on to the next one.
I have just done a quick NR on your image as an example.
I just made my first DIY light box and picked a few blossoms off my apple tree. These are the two photos that showed the most promise but I would love some feedback and any critique you feel necessary. Both images were taken with my sony a6000 with 50m prime and a 10mm extension tube. Specific data on each photo posted in the caption. Let me know what you think!
The first one is a bit tight in the sides of the frame. I think a light background can compete with the subject. Also, do you want shadows on the background? Conside a dark background.
Often, it is that I know enough to be fairly successful with searches.
Harold
That be true. As a former fly fisherman I often amazed my fellows with my trivial knowledge of nature. To be honest, many of them were experts beyond myself what comes to mayflies, stoneflies and caddises. But, it helps to know this and that sometimes.
