A Bug's Life

[Geoff F]

Can you do layer adjustments in Lightroom? Still learning my way around it.

I don't use Lightroom so I can't really give an answer but I doubt it has full layer options. The later versions of Elements are certainly capable of this.

Christina, one alternative is to add an extension tube to a zoom which will get you closer. A 25 mm tube works well, but I wouldn't use anything smaller.

Your ideal macro size lens depends on what you want to photograph, but for live insects in the wild I certainly wouldn't go below 100 mm. In fact for small subjects, say 10 mm flies, I wouldn't recommend anything below 150 mm.

I have a 24-105 lens and rarely get close enough for good results, even at the wide end. So my main macro lens is 180 mm and that often has a 1.4x converter attached.

[Goldcoastgolfer]

Thank you.. What lens did you use to take the hide and seek photo? Love his eye contact..

It's a Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Lens. On my D7000 it has an effective 105mm focal length I think.

I honestly don't know how it compares to other lenses as it's the only new lens that I currently own but I've been fairly happy with what I've been able to capture with it.

[Dave Humphries]

I don't have a macro lens (yet) but managed some cool cricket and dragon fly shots with a zoom lens... If I want to be able to capture the eyes bugs, ie; looking at me... Will a 50 mm macro lens suffice or does one need a 100 mm lens?

Pretty good series there Christina for a non-macro lens, well done.

As Geoff said a few posts above; a 105mm (on a crop body, giving over 150mm effective) is the absolute minimum. Longer is better, Geoff uses 180mm Sigma I believe.

Personally, I use my 70-300mm telephoto zoom (non-macro) for dragon and damsel fly shots and even at minimum shooting distance (about 5 feet), I need to crop a lot to get the smaller damsel flies large enough in the composition.

I also have a 105mm Macro, but have only tried it once for dragon and damsel flies - from memory, for the larger, more active, dragon flies, having to get about 3 times closer (105mm vs 300mm) was a big problem I couldn't get them as big in the frame as with the 300mm before they took flight, but with persistence and patience, I did get some. For the smaller, less active damsel flies, if I waited and let them come to me, I could get better shots.

This is probably still cropped, but for 'distracted' damsel flies...

Nikon D5000 + Nikon 105mm f2.8 VR2: 105mm, 1/500s, f/11, iso800, focus distance says "0.56m (but subtract about 200mm for length of lens and camera - making it just over a foot from the front element) (40094)
F11 and click image to see at 1,137px × 1,000px

Cheers,

[Dave Humphries]

It's a Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Lens. On my D7000 it has an effective 105mm focal length I think.

I honestly don't know how it compares to other lenses as it's the only new lens that I currently own but I've been fairly happy with what I've been able to capture with it.

Hi Malcolm,

Your results justify a macro lens, go get (a long) one, tell your wife "Dave says it's ok, you earned it"

Great work,

[Brownbear]

Thank you Dave. I will wait until I can afford the longest macro lens.

Beautiful photos. Those are the most amazing dragonflies! Especially the blue one! Magnificent Where did you shoot these?

[Dave Humphries]

Thank you Dave. I will wait until I can afford the longest macro lens.

Beautiful photos. Those are the most amazing dragonflies! Especially the blue one! Magnificent Where did you shoot these?

Hi Christina,

Technically these are 'damsels' (because the wings can fold back along the body), they aren't much bigger than an inch long, they are very common here in the summer.

I shot them along the River Thames (the one that eventually goes through London), although this was actually on a landscaped and wildlife managed flood relief channel that runs parallel to the Thames itself, known locally as the "Jubilee River", it runs between Maidenhead and Windsor. For those interested, this (pdf) cycle route map is as good an overview as I have seen. These were shot up near Marsh Lane, by the left hand "61" on map, which is easier to spot and I live somewhere along the bottom edge of the map in middle

Cheers,

[Brownbear]

Thank you.. They look like tropical insects... So colourful! Buying a ticket to London!

[Geoff F]

Very interesting shot of mating Common Blue Damselflies there, Dave.

I'm not sure if they are just beginning the process or about to end. Although the male will fly around in this position and try to prevent other males from 'nipping in' onto the female before she lays her eggs.

This summer, I did photograph a triple mating with another male attached to the main mating male. I'm not sure if he was just confused or waiting for a suitable chance if the first couple separated.

Occasionally, an extra male, like that one, will attempt to place his sperm onto the male's body in the hope that he then actually ends up as the one which fertilizes the female. It is a very competitive business.

[Goldcoastgolfer]

There really is a whole universe out there that is easy to ignore, isn't there?

[Goldcoastgolfer]

Hi Malcolm,

Your results justify a macro lens, go get (a long) one, tell your wife "Dave says it's ok, you earned it"

Great work,

I showed her what you said but I still think she needs convincing