Glendalough Macros C&C

oshead

Got these and about a hundred midget bites in Glendlough on Sunday.

They were taken handheld with EOS 40D, EF-S 60mm, stacked 12mm & 25mm extension tubes and Closeup lense 250D. That combination gives almost x2 magnification. So no need to crop.

The technique for the first one is a bit different different than the rest, hense the bright background.

You can click the images for a larger views. Comments and/or criticisim, as always, welcome.

Dave OS

bullpost

Very nice. Especially no. 1. How close were you to the critters?

Borderfox

Excellent shots

oshead

Thanks Guys. With the gear setup like this the focus range is between approx 2 to 3 inches. Within that, the focal plain is only a few mm. Depending on the aperature used.

Dave OS

Borderfox

Really nice, I cant pick one out they are all good and each has something that I like in the shot.

pixbyjohn

Super photography, well done

Jemmy

Uck to bugs, but wow great shots. I luv to be able to get something like that.

kjt

Great shots David, the last shot is my favourite

ttcomet

Personally in the first one I would clone out that whiteish line that goes through the centre of him it is distracting.

In the second one the bettle is pin sharp it is just a pity that the grass is so cluttered around it. But on the other hand it gives the insect context so I am not sure if it is a bad thing.

Three and four are abolutely stunning shots.

PaulieC

great pix again Dave - you're assembling quite a collection of bugs there! Do you use a tripod for these or are they handheld?

oshead

ttcomet wrote: »

Personally in the first one I would clone out that whiteish line that goes through the centre of him it is distracting.

Thanks for the comments ttcomet.
I'd tought of that but it really goes against what I'm trying to achieve with these and future shots. Ie.. Zero cropping & minimal post processing. All I've done with #1 is a bit of spot removal in Lightroom. Opened it up in PS3 and ran the plugin Focus Magic on it with a setting of 1. Resized to 1024 wide (automated), framed with FM Frames and added my name (automated). All in all it took no more than a couple of minutes. The others pics had small variations of that same workflow depending on their needs.

cambo_gueno wrote: »

Do you use a tripod for these or are they handheld?

Hi Paul.
These are all handheld. Although I had the tripod with me, most of the time and indeed that whole day, it was easier to just get in there and get the shot.

Dave OS

cotton

Freaky but amazing shots!

ttcomet

Out of interest how do you find the extension tubes? Do they degrade image quality much? Do you still have full aperature control with them staked?

My 100mm macro arrived in the post this morning and my appreaciation for your photos went through the roof when I tried to get some of my own.

Cabaal

excellent shots, love the first one as looks like he's about to make a jump

arybvtcw0eolkf

Cabaal wrote: »

excellent shots, love the first one as looks like he's about to make a jump

Have to agree, and having the critter slightly off centre adds to that effect.

OP - your starting to creep me out

Bugs, give me the shivers!.

Oh, like the wasp photos - brilliant stuff.

oshead

ttcomet wrote: »

Out of interest how do you find the extension tubes? Do they degrade image quality much? Do you still have full aperature control with them staked?

My 100mm macro arrived in the post this morning and my appreaciation for your photos went through the roof when I tried to get some of my own.

I wouldn't say they degrade the image. The extension tubes a very good for getting in just that little bit closer. The disadvantages are you lose some light which is a bit of a problem on particularly dark days. Plus, so close in, means handshake is a serious problem too. Similar to the long end of a super telephoto (500mm) without IS.

You also could try a Diopter (closeup lense). Canon make two. The 250D and 500D.


Dave OS

oshead

Cabaal wrote: »

excellent shots, love the first one as looks like he's about to make a jump

Thanks Cabaal
Its always feels like they are gonna hop it. 9 times out of ten they usually do.

Dave OS

ttcomet

Cheers for the reply.

PixelTrawler

Right this has made up my mind.. im getting the macro and tubes... only one question.. where can i buy your patience?

Fantastic work

oshead

Solyad wrote: »

where can i buy your patience?

I'll send you my Paypal link soon...

Dave OS

zero19

I'm a noobie to photography, but i really like macro shots, these are great!