my 1st mantis studio shot

[macro junkie]

i know its not great..its was my 1st go..i havent got the other flash yet so its not perfect..but 1 thing that i like..i havent had to change any of the contrast of any thing like that in ps to make the background white..thats how the shots are coming out.its not perfect..looks overexposed but soon as i get the other flash and diffuser im sure i can pull of some great shots.for now heres 1 i took.i went with this in the end. i use 420ex flash with lumiqest ultra soft diffuser..

http://www.speedgraphic.co.uk/prod.asp?i=12818&1=Novoflex+MagicStudio+Opaque

[johnkermit1]

COOL! it looks like you got a good plan of attack. i look forward to seeing more of these shots!

[lance v]

these r such queer looking buggers

[macro junkie]

well with out that 2nd flash its hard to light the background..so i give up until i get the 2nd flash in 3 weeks..this is a pic i took today with it..oh not sure if u guys know the only lens i own apart from mpe-65 is that crappy 18-55mm lens u get free with 400D..so i had to use that and at fstop 13 it looks very soft.il be getting 60mm macro lens in 3 weeks as well..any way u get my idear what im trying to achieve..i need that flash im on a misson.watch this space.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2165/2073767119_f6bc1ea704_b.jpg

[lance v]

SHOW US UR TITS! i mean SET UP! i tried making a box once.......didnt go so well, those pics look pretty dam good for what ur working with tho

[johnkermit1]

i think it looks great. im sure your looking forward to the other flash!

[Dalantech]

What about using a yellow background to compliment the brown in the mantis? Might make the images a little less harsh. I had a book of perforated multi colored construction paper that I used for backdrops until the yungins' found it :)

[alliec]

The second shot with the 18-55 dosent look soft to me. I think you missed focus slightly on the eyes cause the body and wings look sharp on my monitor. I actually like the graduated effect on this image.

[LindaB]

As you will agree, your second shot is far better. You shouldnt be too quick to knock that 18-55 lense, its not crappy at all when you know how to get the best from it, which you obviously can do by that photo. Use it a bit more for other shots and you wont think it so crappy.

The 60mm is a good choice for macro though and you will love it.

Linda

[Jay Lowery]

work on the composition. and youll do fine. first one is a bit overexposed what lights were on that one? just one flash? im with everyone the kit can be bad, but it can be very sharp as well. you got to have the right settings but it can make for some clean pictures. you can focus closer as well if you switch it to manual focus.

[macro junkie]

i used just 1 flash..thats al i had at mo..its on defuser i bought..settings - shutter speed 180 fstop 13 iso 200..i had the focus on auto.

[dpastern]

#2 looks like its starting to deliver the [lighting] goods MJ. I also like the graduated effect in #2.

Dave

[Jay Lowery]

i used just 1 flash..thats al i had at mo..its on defuser i bought..settings - shutter speed 180 fstop 13 iso 200..i had the focus on auto.

what about those 500w lights do you have them? put those on the side and the flash up top youll be set.

[lance v]

what about those 500w lights do you have them? put those on the side and the flash up top youll be set.

Im pretty sure the mantises wouldnt like that idea too much! Roast bug ne1?

[macro junkie]

what about those 500w lights do you have them? put those on the side and the flash up top youll be set.
gets to hot.il wait for the flash

[racketman]

bought a couple of easel lamps with daylight 20W bulbs (equivalent 100W) and a small 40cm light tent for photographing objects in:

http://www.pbase.com/racketman/image/90495904.jpg

1/13 sec f6.3 ISO 160

http://www.pbase.com/racketman/image/90495908.jpg

might be cool enough for mantids ?

[Jay Lowery]

i have 4 of those lights they work awesome and you can bend them where you want for different lighting angles. i made my own light diffusers though out of thin white fabric so i can move them too.

[racketman]

cool, I might get a 3rd at least to light from above. The light box was only £5.99 plus Postage.

[Jay Lowery]

yea i got two for the side, one top and sometimes if i want it one for backlighting. of course you can move them wherever though. thats cool pretty damn cheap for the lightbox, i just dont like to be constrained to a certain area. i always find myself needing just a bit more room for those odd angle shots.

[macro junkie]

no good for what im doing..u have to have your shutter speed so low and so little dof..i want shutter speed 200 iso 100 fstop 16..this is why the only option for me if 2 flash heads..thats my guess any way.

[LITTLEL]

Great shots... :D
so how many mantids r u keeping, seems like you have loads..:D

[macro junkie]

Great shots... :D
so how many mantids r u keeping, seems like you have loads..:D
i have 14 adults.4 nypmths and 4 ooths waiting to hatch.each ooth should get me between 20-50 per ooth:D