Macro photography

[Phil]

I went to a woodland today, the weather wasn't great and there were hardly any bugs about, these are the best of the bunch...

First of all, what on earth is this?
IMG_8154 by Philip Davies, on Flickr


IMG_8167 by Philip Davies, on Flickr

IMG_8197 by Philip Davies, on Flickr

IMG_8261 by Philip Davies, on Flickr






Then we got home.
This was in the garden.. We couldn't believe it. Especially after so little being around in the woodland, this was on our doorstep!
IMG_8270 by Philip Davies, on Flickr

[Rocket]

I can tell you the first butterfly is a gatekeeper and the second is a peacock as for the first beasty no idea. I usually consult the google.

The butterflies really like the buddleia in your pic. You may find plenty more there.

Edit: I reckon the first is of this family

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasteruptiidae

[Rocket]

Originally Posted by Phil

Cheers Paul, I will have a go at that.
I'm thinking of getting a flash attachment like yours to better direct the light. Where did you get yours from? I don't know what the correct name is for them!

I went out today to a local National trust woodland. I photographed an evil looking insect, no idea what it is, I'll post it up in a bit.

The diffuser on my flash is an eBay Chinese one - nothing special.
The reflector on top was also an eBay purchase.

You will see some here. I have not looked for the best offer or at their eBay rating, I just pcked the first two in the list. You may find your flash mentioned from another seller.
The reflector is just to point more of the light towards the subject - which means the flash duration will be shorter - which is good.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/P1-Profess...0AAOSwYXVYx630

and here

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Universal-...IAAOSwJH1ZMGsK

[stevenicks]

Originally Posted by Rocket

This may help


Untitled-1 by Paul Stickley, on Flickr

Thank you Paul, you are a star sir .

[Phil]

Thanks Paul.
I had a look at Google too. Seems it's probably harmless but it gave me the creeps when I first saw it.
When I saw that great long tail I assumed it was for stinging or sucking blood.
Seems it's for drilling into wood...

Thanks for the links. Now I know what I'm looking for I will begin the hunt!

[Phil]

Hi Paul,
With your set up, does the flash self adjust with the diffuser attached?
What difference does it make in reality?
There's loads of universal ones available. I just don't know which one I should go for!

Do these diffusers reduce the reflection on shiny insects?

[Phil]

Just ordered one. Should arrive tomorrow apparently.
Lets see what it does!!

[Rocket]

Originally Posted by Phil

Hi Paul,
With your set up, does the flash self adjust with the diffuser attached?
What difference does it make in reality?
There's loads of universal ones available. I just don't know which one I should go for!

Do these diffusers reduce the reflection on shiny insects?

Yes, TTL flashes (E-TTL in your case) work by sending a pre flash. The camera then measures the exposure in the normal way.(no picture is taken) The flash is then adjusted to the correct power for a good exposure. The flash then fires at the required power and the picture is taken.

Diffusers in general are not really about putting an opaque surface between the flash and the subject. They are an attempt to make the light source bigger in relation to the subject (a flash umbrella is a good example). If the llght source is larger the light comes in from wider angles and produces a softer - more gentle light. When using an umbrella or soft box for portraits, if you want softer light you make the distance between subject and light smaller - for harsher/harder light move light further away.
To sum up - for softer light - make distance between light and subject smaller - make light source larger by using a light modifier (diffuser in your case.)

For the insect shots it makes a difference (not huge but it is noticed) but depends on how close you get the flash to the subject (closer the better).

Reduce reflections yes - eliminate no. As I said before dial the flash back a little and if you have to increase exposure in post processing.

If you cannot find one for your flash - I guess get the cheapest one and hope I have a Nissin flash and a Yongnuo flash - my diffuser fits both.
Edit: I found this for £5.49 from China. It may fit or if not you can resell on eBay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Profession...MAAOSwXY5ZVc~l
Or here for £5.88 for a few canon flashes - not sure if yours is similar size - but a good chance.http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Professional-...IAAOSwIQdZJUbM


Here is a video on hard and soft light. Same thing applies for your insect shots.

[Gate Keeper]

Originally Posted by Phil

Just ordered one. Should arrive tomorrow apparently.
Lets see what it does!!

Good morning Phil, a few sample photos from the 'try out' macro lens phone attachment. I suspect the Zeiss kit would give sharper images. Lens distance was about 4 cams from the flowers.

[URL=http://s24.photobucket.com/user/GateKeeper_/media/macro%20lens%20on%20phone/995CD270-6888-4352-A1C5-1DB105260EF9_1.jpg.html][/URL]

[Phil]

Originally Posted by Rocket

Yes, TTL flashes (E-TTL in your case) work by sending a pre flash. The camera then measures the exposure in the normal way.(no picture is taken) The flash is then adjusted to the correct power for a good exposure. The flash then fires at the required power and the picture is taken.

Diffusers in general are not really about putting an opaque surface between the flash and the subject. They are an attempt to make the light source bigger in relation to the subject (a flash umbrella is a good example). If the llght source is larger the light comes in from wider angles and produces a softer - more gentle light. When using an umbrella or soft box for portraits, if you want softer light you make the distance between subject and light smaller - for harsher/harder light move light further away.
To sum up - for softer light - make distance between light and subject smaller - make light source larger by using a light modifier (diffuser in your case.)

For the insect shots it makes a difference (not huge but it is noticed) but depends on how close you get the flash to the subject (closer the better).

Reduce reflections yes - eliminate no. As I said before dial the flash back a little and if you have to increase exposure in post processing.

If you cannot find one for your flash - I guess get the cheapest one and hope I have a Nissin flash and a Yongnuo flash - my diffuser fits both.
Edit: I found this for £5.49 from China. It may fit or if not you can resell on eBay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Profession...MAAOSwXY5ZVc~l
Or here for £5.88 for a few canon flashes - not sure if yours is similar size - but a good chance.http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Professional-...IAAOSwIQdZJUbM


Here is a video on hard and soft light. Same thing applies for your insect shots.

Thank you Paul, I really appreciate your patience and advice. You have helped me no end.

Originally Posted by Gate Keeper

Good morning Phil, a few sample photos from the 'try out' macro lens phone attachment. I suspect the Zeiss kit would give sharper images. Lens distance was about 4 cams from the flowers.

[URL=http://s24.photobucket.com/user/GateKeeper_/media/macro%20lens%20on%20phone/995CD270-6888-4352-A1C5-1DB105260EF9_1.jpg.html][/URL]

Thank you Paul, I really appreciate your patience and advice. You have helped me no end.

Good evening Phil.
That's good to see, thanks for sharing. What are your impressions?