Millipede does 'cute' - Macro

[Stagecoach]

Millie was chosen as a test subject for the diffuser I am presently developing for the SB-R200 on front of the lens and these results were obtained using plain copy paper as the diffuser medium.

All shot at 1/60s, f/16-f/22, ISO400, 105mm with 68mm ext tubes giving 2:1 magnification, 12mm frame width when un-cropped.

No 1


No 2


No 3 - cropped horizontally


The copy paper has reduced the flash power somewhat but has made a great job of reducing highlights. To overcome this I pushed the ISO up to 400 anticipating some increased noise but found that because the highlights were reduced the exposure was able to be pushed more to the right.

Grahame

[IzzieK]

Grahame -- Mr. Bugman -- you did it again...upload another bug. I like the frontal shot of Millie. #1 seems to me just a description shot but 2 and 3 are really good. Have you ever thought of using a ring flash on her? Just curious...

[Stagecoach]

Grahame -- Mr. Bugman -- you did it again...upload another bug. I like the frontal shot of Millie. #1 seems to me just a description shot but 2 and 3 are really good. Have you ever thought of using a ring flash on her? Just curious...

Hi Izzie,

A ring-light is something I have considered and think I will get one just just to see how useful they can be. There are many debates for and against just about every type of macro lighting but what is obvious is that different methods have their advantages in certain circumstances.

One of the main problems I find I'm up against with this type of shot is that there's only 70mm working distance between lens front and subject with shooting angles varying and it's not always possible to direct light exactly where you want it due to the changing aspect to camera of the subject and protuberances from the location.

Pleased you liked Millie. at least she did not jump

Grahame

[Kris V]

I like 3.
Millie waving at me. Too cute!

[FootLoose]

+1

[deetheturk]

These are superb Grahame,i have never seen one of these close up,cute or what

Your paper certainly did the trick bud,well done!

David

[Stagecoach]

I like 3.
Millie waving at me. Too cute!

Thanks Kris, I too thought that one appealing.

[Stagecoach]

+1

Thanks Greg,

[Stagecoach]

These are superb Grahame,i have never seen one of these close up,cute or what

Your paper certainly did the trick bud,well done!

David

It was also the first time I have ever looked at one of these closely. They curl up when disturbed but once on the move it's another chase job.

I undertook some tests between the thin polystyrene packing material and copy paper the other night using a chromed watch as a subject. The results were very significant but unfortunately a fair bit of light power has been lost so for tonight I'm ready with tracing paper (grease proof paper is the closest I can get here) and the flash meter to try that.

Grahame

[deetheturk]

I tried chasing one up a wall last week but never got close

I am looking forward to your latest test's bud,good luck with the tracing paper

David

[IzzieK]

Grahame I got a ring light called Interfit Strobies. It has both flash and continuous lights with it. Very useful.

[Shadowman]

Nice.

[Loose Canon]

Hi Grahame!

Very nice shots.

As regards the lighting? Nice highlights on Millie. But there seems to be a brighter ring or border around the main highlight. Is this a product of the modifier or something to do with Millie herself?

[bnnrcn]

Very cute face indeed and the eyes are very interesting

[ClaudioG]

Hi Graham, again great close ups, for me #2 really stands out, i think its the ciolours on its back that attracts my eye.

i have to agree with Terry about the brighter Border on your diffuser, have u tried bringing what you are using in the centre of yyour diffuser over the side to see if the light works just as well? the diffusion look sgreat, but that Brighter ring pulls ya eye?

[Stagecoach]

Grahame I got a ring light called Interfit Strobies. It has both flash and continuous lights with it. Very useful.

Hi Izzie,

Have you used the ring light for any close up macro and how do you consider it performs with regards to highlight control?

Grahame

[Stagecoach]

Nice.

Thanks John

[Stagecoach]

Hi Grahame!

Very nice shots.

As regards the lighting? Nice highlights on Millie. But there seems to be a brighter ring or border around the main highlight. Is this a product of the modifier or something to do with Millie herself?

Terry and Claudio,

Having shot this series without downloading them I then moved on to photograph a small spider, a friendly very small jumper.

Carefully checking the first of these shots it immediately became evident in the spiders catch-lights that I had omitted to seal over a light escape area around the outer circumference of the modifier, a quick tape job cured and confirmed this. I had not realised until you mentioned it that this had also caused the problem with Millie. I'll re-shoot one of these to see the difference.

Grahame

[Stagecoach]

Very cute face indeed and the eyes are very interesting

Thanks Binnur, you spotted the strange eye surface contours as well.

[Brownbear]

Grahame does "cute" exceptionally well!

My favourite is #3, cute and artsy! I love the lighting, colours and tones in all of these.

I'd love to see more images of Millie, and also a centipede.