Infrared Mantis Macro (Now 5 + 2 on the website)

[Don Ellis]

http://www.kleptography.com/dl/fm/mantis-ir2.jpg

Canon G1, Hoya R72 Infrared Filter, Hoya +10 Macro Lens, 1/50th second, f7.1. He's 3/4-inch long (1.9cm) and this is 1 of 175 shots.

Cheers,

Don

[johnmate]

Great DON!

[Don Ellis]

johnmate wrote:
Great DON!

Thank you... for that you get another...

http://www.kleptography.com/dl/fm/mantis-ir3.jpg

Don

[marie]

in the second shot don
his antics speak volumes

:: ) ???

he is only three quarters of an inch long you say....
are their tails always that curly ?
:

175 shots... the action must have been terrific
(mantis porn)


marie

ps
please make allowances
must be my mind, after seeing peter's shots : )

those elegant long legs striding like it are terrific, especially in the first shot

the flower and leaves are nice too
however they look artficial because of the type of picture,
thats ok too.
thats how its meant to be.
and all who like infrared will love it
I think I prefer colour in this particular shot of that dancing mantis fellow
not really sure.

they are great macro shots.
thats the main thing

[pappy]

Both photos are incredible! Your work is truly inspiring!

Regards,
Peter

[matthew saville]

Insect macro, one of my favorites! And infrared, even better...

and 175 pictures... Yeah, often I wish I had gotten more "takes" on a photo, but maybe is 175 pushing the envelope? :)

Oh and those leaves, they look almost like nettle. You didn't feel itchy at all, did you? ;)

[Don Ellis]

Running to a meeting so no time to thank you all (but thank you all). :) Instead, I'll post two more for you.

An informal portrait...

http://www.kleptography.com/dl/fm/mantis-ir4.jpg

And a black halo...

http://www.kleptography.com/dl/fm/mantis-ir5.jpg

Cheers,

Don

[satnitefever]

That's so cute! You managed to turn an everyday horror (for some) to an unbelivable freindly creature!

[new girl on the bloc]

Don - these photos are fantastic! Especially the third one!

[Conk]

You bet Don. Those are great. The last two are excellent. I couldn't agree more with satnitefever.

[SoCal69]

Absolutely fantastic! Personally, I like the last two shots (in particular the third shot with the camera). The detail on the eyes is fantastic!

MORE PLEASE!

[damnengine]

amazing Don, lovely shots

[Don Ellis]

Thank you again... very nice of everyone to comment. I'm glad you enjoyed them. In response to Chuck's request for "MORE" (plus the magic word), here's another...

http://www.kleptography.com/mantis/mantis-ir6.jpg

There's also a couple of bonus shots at
www.kleptography.com/mantis

Thanks, everyone, for your generosity.

Don

[SoCal69]

WONDERFUL!

[Don Ellis]

marie wrote:
he is only three quarters of an inch long you say....
are their tails always that curly ?

they are great macro shots.
thats the main thing

Hi Marie,

Thanks very much... yes, their tales are that curly when they're young. They straighten out as they get older.

Don

[slejhamer]

Hi Don, very unique work. I'm curious about your exposure settings - 1/50s and f7.1. With the R72 I wouldn't expect that combo - did you use additional lighting to capture the bug as such?

[Don Ellis]

slejhamer wrote:
Hi Don, very unique work. I'm curious about your exposure settings - 1/50s and f7.1. With the R72 I wouldn't expect that combo - did you use additional lighting to capture the bug as such?
Pretty observant, Mitch. :)

This was natural lighting under overcast skies -- which was fortunate since bright light tends to reflect like crazy off these little guys.

I've had the G1's hot mirror replaced with clear optical glass so now I have normal shutter speeds and the G1 is a dedicated IR camera. We haven't had a lot of sun since I had the camera modified, but I have seen 1/500th of second already.

Handheld infrared photography -- what a concept.

Cheers,

Don

[slejhamer]

Don Ellis wrote:
I've had the G1's hot mirror replaced with clear optical glass so now I have normal shutter speeds and the G1 is a dedicated IR camera.


WELL! That is a neat trick! Didn't know it was an option.

At some point I will ask you how ... in the meantime my G1 remains dual-purpose (IR and everything else) so I can't make the change.

Although, perhaps if one did that and then used an IR cut filter (external hot mirror) for visible-spectrum photography it just might work... hmmm ...
Sorry, just thinking out loud. :)

[marie]

ha ha ha

the last picture is really really funny
they are just terrific antic shots

mantis is a wonderful creature

thanks

marie

[Chris™]

Hi Don,

stunning work ... you showed nicely, that insects become transparent in IR. The reason is, that the chitin sceletons are transparent for Near IR light.

Greetings from Germany

Chris™