Bug macro series

[natas]

Many of you guys know that I am at a learning stage of photography. The past 3 weeks I have been trying to capture macro shots of bugs. Some days I have the patience and do well.....others (like yesterday) I do terrible.

Anyway, here are my favorite bug pictures so far:
This little guy let me get a few photos. This one is my favorite. I had to do some post processing to get the exposure right. I was off about 1/2 stop. Thank god for RAW shooting:

Super Sized Version!

Another fly from a different day. This fly was very skittish so I took as many shots as I could. This one is the best of him:

Super Sized Version

I was told that these are assassin nymphs. They were tiny...about the size of led at the end of a pencil. Picture is a little dark and off by about 1/2 - 1 stop. No post processing here:

Super Suzed Version

And now for my favorite. I woke up one morning and found a herd of these grasshoppers on a Asiatic Lily stem I cut the previous week. There must of been 50 of these little guys on the stem. They were tiny! Best shot:

Super Sized Version

This should give you a idea of how small they were:

Super Sized Version

And a neat little angle:

Super Sized Version

Questions, Comments, Criticism all welcome!

[SoberGuy]

Wow, those are really cool! I've tried playing with macro settings, but I can never get them to turn out that good.

[natas]

Sober: These pictures were taken with a 105mm Macro lens This lens is dedicated to getting closeups like this.

The big problem with using a lens like this is the DOF. Your DOF (depth of field) is very minimal, so its very hard to get something in focus. If you move slightly the whole picture is ruined.

Most of these were taken with a tripod and long exposure, but a few were actually hand held and with a diffused flash.

[DaveA]

Very nice; I like the composure of the last pic.

You may try using a white card for reflected soft light.

[SoberGuy]

Originally Posted by natas

Sober: These pictures were taken with a 105mm Macro lens This lens is dedicated to getting closeups like this.

The big problem with using a lens like this is the DOF. Your DOF (depth of field) is very minimal, so its very hard to get something in focus. If you move slightly the whole picture is ruined.

Most of these were taken with a tripod and long exposure, but a few were actually hand held and with a diffused flash.

Geek. LOL

I've been thinking about getting a nice macro lens, since I like a lot of the macros that I've seen. But since I do a lot of other stuff, like the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park, I think my next purchase is going to be a nice zoom lens. Then maybe I'll get a macro lens.

Still, nice shots.

	Shane The Man, The Myth, The Mystery that is RTB!!!

[natas]

DaveA: I will do that when I get a good flash. Right now I only have the built in popup flash

[natas]

Originally Posted by SoberGuy

Geek. LOL
I've been thinking about getting a nice macro lens, since I like a lot of the macros that I've seen. But since I do a lot of other stuff, like the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park, I think my next purchase is going to be a nice zoom lens. Then maybe I'll get a macro lens.
Still, nice shots.

I am lucky because my camera came with the equivalent of a 80-300mm zoom lens. I haven't used it much since I am so busy with the macro work.

[TimOsborne]

natas.. a good flash is a great investment.. it is amazing how much difference it will make.

Great macros btw.. love the little grasshopper army!!