Post your BUG shots!

Thanks Tamron is great lens.

Hi, Windwoman! You have some nice macro shots. They are sharp and colorful.

Regarding how to do macro - there are many ways. Each of us has their own solution. Macro is challenging, though. Most of my shots end up in the bin. But I take lots of shots, and that way I get my share of keepers.

I generally use diffused flash. That freezes motion and allows me to shoot with a small aperture (for DOF) and low ISO. The downside is that the background tends to go black. Also, colors are sometimes altered.

Shooting by available light gives a more natural picture, but this also has downsides. In full sunlight you often have harsh shadows. In the shade the ISO goes high and gives noise.

These are some of the challenges. But many of us are drawn to macro precisely because it is technically difficult. We know that it is definitely possible to get great results.

There are lots of resources on the Web and here at POTN to give you tips and ideas.

So try different things, take lots of shots, evaluate your results, and then take more shots. It takes learning, experimenting and practice.

Thank you for taking the time to answer me. I do feel better about the shots after your message. These were taken with natural light. I am currently researching a flash system that I hope will not add a ton of weight.

One question I have is how do you stabilize your camera while doing macro? Bees and Butterflies are busy little creatures so I don't think I will have time for a tripod but I do need a little something to aid me.

Windwoman wrote in post #18901318
Thank you for taking the time to answer me. I do feel better about the shots after your message. These were taken with natural light. I am currently researching a flash system that I hope will not add a ton of weight.

One question I have is how do you stabilize your camera while doing macro? Bees and Butterflies are busy little creatures so I don't think I will have time for a tripod but I do need a little something to aid me.

Some folk use a stick to steady their rig when shooting. It is a few feet long and can slide between your hand and the camera while the end is on the ground. It is worth considering.

If you use flash, the very short duration of the flash will freeze motion. This works great as long as you are not in bright sunlight. The sun will often compete with the flash in brightness, and can cause ghosting. If you can cast a shadow on the subject then you won't get the ghosting.

I never use a tripod when shooting bugs outdoors.

These guys was just having a party...

Pretty little beetle. I'm thinking it's Chrysomelidae.

Like you, Archibald, I take lots of shots, and most end up in the bin. I find DOF a real problem and I once read a tip - rock very, very slightly forwards and backwards to try to hit good focus as you keep shooting. I enjoy the challenge and every now and again I get a half-decent macro. I think not being afraid to up the ISO is a big help and I reckon you're doing pretty well, Windwoman. I took these in my garden this afternoon, so you don't have to go far to try macro.

One day, if you make the foray into mirrorless, you may really enjoy focus peaking. I simply sway just enough to move the narrow "yellow" band (which is the area in focus) back and forth, and once I see the band hit the eyes of the insects, I snap the shot. Much easier than trying to visually detect what might, or might not, be in focus. With flies having such large eyes, like dragonflies, etc, this feature is very nice.

Shufu wrote in post #18901529
These guys was just having a party...

Hosted photo: posted by Shufu in
./showthread.php?p=189​01529&i=i165767793
forum: Macro

Cool. Fun for the bugs, not so much for the plant.

Terry McDaniel wrote in post #18901581
Pretty little beetle. I'm thinking it's Chrysomelidae.

Hosted photo: posted by Terry McDaniel in
./showthread.php?p=189​01581&i=i187253585
forum: Macro

"Walk this way"... It must have been indoors.

Terrycanon wrote in post #18901662
Like you, Archibald, I take lots of shots, and most end up in the bin. I find DOF a real problem and I once read a tip - rock very, very slightly forwards and backwards to try to hit good focus as you keep shooting. I enjoy the challenge and every now and again I get a half-decent macro. I think not being afraid to up the ISO is a big help and I reckon you're doing pretty well, Windwoman. I took these in my garden this afternoon, so you don't have to go far to try macro.

Hosted photo: posted by Terrycanon in
./showthread.php?p=189​01662&i=i190305252
forum: Macro

Hosted photo: posted by Terrycanon in
./showthread.php?p=189​01662&i=i36075932
forum: Macro

Good examples. Rocking is useful if you are shooting in natural light, and can also give a stack for focus stacking.

One more from the garden just now...

Terrycanon wrote in post #18901673
One more from the garden just now...

Hosted photo: posted by Terrycanon in
./showthread.php?p=189​01673&i=i192023558
forum: Macro

Man, you have a bug-infested place.

Just kidding. Good shots.

Archibald wrote in post #18901674
Man, you have a bug-infested place.

Just kidding. Good shots.

Many thanks.

Archibald wrote in post #18901669
"Walk this way"... It must have been indoors.

It was on a roof support beam on my front porch.