My Pictures - Page 41

Rocket · 28th June 2017, 08:41

I took this one a day or two ago. Just some poppy seed heads in a row. I usually shoot at f11 for close ups of insects etc to give a larger depth of focus. I shot this at f 2.8 to produce as much blur in the background as possible (bokeh). It has proved quite popular on Flickr which came as a bit of a surprise as I thought it would be one of those shots that I like but others would pass it by.

Row of Poppy seed heads by Paul Stickley, on Flickr

Rocket · 30th June 2017, 10:38

Two from today. Not many insects around at the moment but I captured these two.

A couple here for you Phil - Gatekeeper butterfly.

Gatekeeper by Paul Stickley, on Flickr

coolcat · 30th June 2017, 12:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocket

I took this one a day or two ago. Just some poppy seed heads in a row. I usually shoot at f11 for close ups of insects etc to give a larger depth of focus. I shot this at f 2.8 to produce as much blur in the background as possible (bokeh). It has proved quite popular on Flickr which came as a bit of a surprise as I thought it would be one of those shots that I like but others would pass it by.

Row of Poppy seed heads by Paul Stickley, on Flickr

I can see why, very interesting composition and lovely muted colours

Rocket · 2nd July 2017, 13:36

With talk of close up/macro photography I thought I would just recap on what I use. My views on this have changed over the years depending on what gear I have had and my experience of taking so many shots.

Now I use a 24mp Sony A6000
Sigma 60mm F2.8 DN Art lens
An extension tube I got of E-BAY for less than £20

Things that help when shooting insects in the wild

A sharp lens
Lots of mega pixels helps because you can crop and maintain a good sharpness.
Fast auto focus (the initial lock on. you don't get much time most often)
Good dynamic range on the camera to bring up the shadows.
These days I always shoot with flash. I use the flash to freeze the action - not the shutter speed.

I could ramble on for ages but those are the main points. Of course you can get by without some of the above but they all help.

Here are some pics of my bug hunting set up. I got my old Pentax KR 12mp DSLR out the cupboard to take these. It felt a bit strange but we had many happy years together in the past.

The flash is normal size, it just lokks big on a small camera.

Sony A6000 with sigma 60mm and extension tube. by Paul Stickley, on Flickr

Sony A6000 with sigma 60mm, extension tube and flash by Paul Stickley, on Flickr

Rocket · 2nd July 2017, 15:31

I went out this afternoon and got a few, these were 3 of the better ones.

I am quite pleased with these as the exposure was tricky. The bright summer sky as background - the dark Bumble in the foreground - and those plants have a tendency to over expose when flash is used.

Bumblebee on Buddleia by Paul Stickley, on Flickr

coolcat · 2nd July 2017, 15:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocket

I went out this afternoon and got a few, these were 3 of the better ones.

I am quite pleased with these as the exposure was tricky. The bright summer sky as background - the dark Bumble in the foreground - and those plants have a tendency to over expose when flash is used.

Bumblebee on Buddleia by Paul Stickley, on Flickr

Simply stunning Paul

Rocket · 4th July 2017, 14:15

It is a bit poor for insects this afternoon but I got these two.
Not many butterflies around yet but it is always August time for the peak numbers.

Bumblebee on Buddleia by Paul Stickley, on Flickr

Bee in flight by Paul Stickley, on Flickr

Canonite · 4th July 2017, 15:14

Cracking shots them, I'd be tempted to flip them

Rocket · 4th July 2017, 16:21

You mean upside down? particularly the first one.

I find most times the light looks wrong. - hold on...............

Rocket · 4th July 2017, 16:26

Well the light is not to bad but the legs look dodgy lol

DSC08119.jpg by Paul Stickley, on Flickr

28th June 2017, 08:41	#401
Rocket Posted a thing or two ROVER 75 CONNOISSEUR SE HIGHLINE TOURER MANUAL 2.5 V6 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Midhurst Posts: 1,680 Thanks: 679 Thanked 735 Times in 530 Posts	I took this one a day or two ago. Just some poppy seed heads in a row. I usually shoot at f11 for close ups of insects etc to give a larger depth of focus. I shot this at f 2.8 to produce as much blur in the background as possible (bokeh). It has proved quite popular on Flickr which came as a bit of a surprise as I thought it would be one of those shots that I like but others would pass it by. Row of Poppy seed heads by Paul Stickley, on Flickr __________________ Paul http://www.paulstickley.com/

30th June 2017, 10:38	#402
Rocket Posted a thing or two ROVER 75 CONNOISSEUR SE HIGHLINE TOURER MANUAL 2.5 V6 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Midhurst Posts: 1,680 Thanks: 679 Thanked 735 Times in 530 Posts	Two from today. Not many insects around at the moment but I captured these two. A couple here for you Phil - Gatekeeper butterfly. Gatekeeper by Paul Stickley, on Flickr Gatekeeper by Paul Stickley, on Flickr __________________ Paul http://www.paulstickley.com/ Last edited by Rocket; 30th June 2017 at 11:08..

2nd July 2017, 13:36	#404
Rocket Posted a thing or two ROVER 75 CONNOISSEUR SE HIGHLINE TOURER MANUAL 2.5 V6 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Midhurst Posts: 1,680 Thanks: 679 Thanked 735 Times in 530 Posts	With talk of close up/macro photography I thought I would just recap on what I use. My views on this have changed over the years depending on what gear I have had and my experience of taking so many shots. Now I use a 24mp Sony A6000 Sigma 60mm F2.8 DN Art lens An extension tube I got of E-BAY for less than £20 Things that help when shooting insects in the wild A sharp lens Lots of mega pixels helps because you can crop and maintain a good sharpness. Fast auto focus (the initial lock on. you don't get much time most often) Good dynamic range on the camera to bring up the shadows. These days I always shoot with flash. I use the flash to freeze the action - not the shutter speed. I could ramble on for ages but those are the main points. Of course you can get by without some of the above but they all help. Here are some pics of my bug hunting set up. I got my old Pentax KR 12mp DSLR out the cupboard to take these. It felt a bit strange but we had many happy years together in the past. The flash is normal size, it just lokks big on a small camera. Sony A6000 with sigma 60mm and extension tube. by Paul Stickley, on Flickr Sony A6000 with sigma 60mm and extension tube. by Paul Stickley, on Flickr Sony A6000 with sigma 60mm, extension tube and flash by Paul Stickley, on Flickr __________________ Paul http://www.paulstickley.com/

2nd July 2017, 15:31	#405
Rocket Posted a thing or two ROVER 75 CONNOISSEUR SE HIGHLINE TOURER MANUAL 2.5 V6 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Midhurst Posts: 1,680 Thanks: 679 Thanked 735 Times in 530 Posts	I went out this afternoon and got a few, these were 3 of the better ones. I am quite pleased with these as the exposure was tricky. The bright summer sky as background - the dark Bumble in the foreground - and those plants have a tendency to over expose when flash is used. Bumblebee on Buddleia by Paul Stickley, on Flickr Bumblebee on Buddleia by Paul Stickley, on Flickr Bumblebee on Buddleia by Paul Stickley, on Flickr __________________ Paul http://www.paulstickley.com/ Last edited by Rocket; 2nd July 2017 at 15:35..

4th July 2017, 14:15	#407
Rocket Posted a thing or two ROVER 75 CONNOISSEUR SE HIGHLINE TOURER MANUAL 2.5 V6 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Midhurst Posts: 1,680 Thanks: 679 Thanked 735 Times in 530 Posts	It is a bit poor for insects this afternoon but I got these two. Not many butterflies around yet but it is always August time for the peak numbers. Bumblebee on Buddleia by Paul Stickley, on Flickr Bee in flight by Paul Stickley, on Flickr __________________ Paul http://www.paulstickley.com/

4th July 2017, 15:14	#408
Canonite This is my second home BMW 330d Tourer, MG ZT 180 SE XPG, VW Polo 6R 1.2 TDI Bluemotion Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: York Posts: 6,022 Thanks: 363 Thanked 574 Times in 319 Posts	Cracking shots them, I'd be tempted to flip them

4th July 2017, 16:21	#409
Rocket Posted a thing or two ROVER 75 CONNOISSEUR SE HIGHLINE TOURER MANUAL 2.5 V6 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Midhurst Posts: 1,680 Thanks: 679 Thanked 735 Times in 530 Posts	You mean upside down? particularly the first one. I find most times the light looks wrong. - hold on............... __________________ Paul http://www.paulstickley.com/

4th July 2017, 16:26	#410
Rocket Posted a thing or two ROVER 75 CONNOISSEUR SE HIGHLINE TOURER MANUAL 2.5 V6 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Midhurst Posts: 1,680 Thanks: 679 Thanked 735 Times in 530 Posts	Well the light is not to bad but the legs look dodgy lol DSC08119.jpg by Paul Stickley, on Flickr __________________ Paul http://www.paulstickley.com/