Something in my light is off...

(UPDATE: new pics below)

Hey all,

I was putting together my macro flash-bracket set this weekend and just found a bee at work on a flower in my backyard. It wasn't too bothered with me as long as I the flash (paper towel) diffuser out of blocking the sun.

I use a bracket, ballhead and off shoe cord, but compared to some of the other shots I see here, something seems off with mine... is it the directional light? Is it my post processing workflow? Am I expecting too much? Could use some help with this...

Here's the shot in question, shot with a 40D, Canon 100mm macro, F/14, ISO 160, 1/250th.

Apart from the oof foreground in both shots, the lighting does not look bad to me. The images are a little soft but assume that is diffraction softening from shooting at F14 ?
Brian v.

Brian's thought seem logical. Try different settings...i.e. move the light closer, reduce shutter a bit, lower aperture a bit. Just try different setups and test using inanimate objects such as lego people

F14 could be a problem, one of the earlier shots was at F11, which looked better, although I thought I had some more breathing space (up to like F16) until diffraction became noticeable.
I'll try to get a different angle to get rid of the foreground as well, good suggestion

I was able to give it another go today

This time I got the able and the aperture ok, but due to technical limitations (of the ballhead + cactus receiver), I wasn't able to get the light close enough. Decided to order a lumiquest mini softbox rather than keep using paper towels. I also have to fiddle with my bracket to get the flash lower (or higher and aim it across from the other side).

I also used another flash this time, my Nikon SB-28 which has a bit more power and WAY faster recycle than my Metz 36 (Canon TTL) flash. On the down-side, I didn't have my sync cord with me so had to use it with a wireless receiver which messed with the height.

Still a work in progress, but I'd still like to show you guys

Any other critique / comments?

These were all shot at 1/200th, F11, ISO 160, manual flash at 1/2 power and some had -0.33 stop FEC (on the flash itself).
Full size versions are on my photostream.
#1

Looking good - perhaps a bit more diffusion needed- you may get this with the mini softbox
Brian V.

LordV wrote in post #10254782
Looking good - perhaps a bit more diffusion needed- you may get this with the mini softbox
Brian V.

Thanks Brian

I agree - definitely more diffusion needed. This diffuser is crappy and it had to be higher than I wanted it to because of the wireless transmitter. If I use a pc cable it'll be closer already.
And indeed - it's either a mini softbox or a "LordV ghetto-style coke can diffuser", and I am scared to cut myself on the can

The mini softbox is slightly more portable though, and I basically bring my entire rig to work every day, so portability is required.

Well you've blown me away with these amazing photos. Seeing what a camera and lense is capable of is gobsmacking.

some good shots, like the second shot the best tho

Thanks for the comments and encouragement

I processed another out of the second set with a little different than my usual workflow, wonder what you guys like better: