View allAll Photos Tagged InsectPhotography
I found this Cricket foraging on a Dandelion at the Monte Orlando Nature Preserve in Gaeta, Italy. Shot in the late morning this critter was more hungry than afraid.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/125, ISO 200) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (2x) + a diffused MT-26EX RT (E-TTL metering). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Denoise AI and Clarity in that order. I dragged the shutter to expose for the natural light in the background while keeping the subject in the shade.
It is a new year so I am working on a new diffuser set for the MT26EX RT macro twin flash. Luckily I found a foraging honeybee that I could use to test the diffusers. Not bad for a trial run, but I am still hacking them so for now I will not be giving out any details.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F13, 1/125, ISO 200) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set to 1x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT, E-TTL metering, -1/3 FEC. This is a single, slightly cropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Sharpen AI and Clarity in that order.
I found a moth hiding under a leaf while I was out grilling some burgers, and it due to the cool weather it let me get close.
Tech Specs: Canon 90D (F11, 1/200, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set to 2x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT, E-TTL metering, -2/3 FEC. This is a single, cropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Denoise AI and Clarity in that order.
I stopped at Lago d'Averno and photographed this Violet Darter to test my light quality after making some minor changes to my diffusers. At life size my flash is at the maximum distance that it will get from the subject, so this represents my worst case light quality.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (1x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT (E-TTL metering, -2/3 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held.
The way I took this shot of these mating 22 Spot Ladybugs in a single frame was to focus on the eyes of the female and then twist my wrist to lay the area of acceptable focus over the male. With a scene like that one the eyes of both critters must be in focus, or the composition won't work. Tricky to do since the female would occasionally move and the male will sometimes wiggle his backside. Not gonna lie, I missed focus a few times cause he made me laugh :)
Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 200) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set to about 2.5x) + a diffused MT-26EX RT (E-TTL metering with -1/3 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Sharpen AI and Clarity in that order.
I went for a walk in the yard after it rained and the temperature dropped a few degrees and found this semi-active Sweat Bee.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (over 2x) + a diffused MT-26EX RT (E-TTL metering with -1/3 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Denoise AI, Sharpen AI, and Clarity in that order.
Found a little Scissor Bee (Chelostoma florisomne, male) semi active in a Buttercup flower and when he would pause I'd look for a new composition.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (4x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT with a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe on the "A" head (the key), E-TTL metering, -1/3 FEC, second curtain sync). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Denoise AI, Sharpen AI, and Clarity in that order.
“The sun shines and warms and lights us and we have no curiosity to know why this is so; but we ask the reason of all evil, of pain, and hunger, and mosquitoes and silly people”
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Another shot taken in the heat of the day (+28C/+86F) and the critter was hyperactive. Fortunately this beetle was more hungry than afraid, and I'm getting better at tracking moving subjects with the camera and had several frames to choose from. I don't focus stack and images like this one are one of the reasons why. I need to maintain the muscle memory that I've built up in order to photograph moving critters.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 200) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set to around 2x) + a diffused MT-26EX RT (E-TTL metering). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Denoise AI and Clarity in that order.
After months of laying dormant this Blue Mason Bee chews its way out of its cocoon. Osmia Caerulescens, male.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (Almost 3x) + a diffused MT-26EX RT (E-TTL metering with -1/3 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Sharpen AI, Denoise AI, and Clarity in that order.
Partly cloudy weather and cool temperatures seems to slow this honeybee down enough for me to get a few photos. It was also windy enough for me to grab onto the dandelion's stem, without spooking the critter, so I could keep the scene steady.
Tech Specs: Canon 90D (F11, 1/125, ISO 200) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set to a little over 1x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT, E-TTL metering, -2/3 FEC. This is a single, slightly cropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Denoise AI and Clarity in that order. Shutter and ISO set to expose the sky in the background.
I found this 22 Spot Ladybug snoozing on one of my Sunflowers. This is the first test of a new diffuser design.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (3x) + a diffused MT-26EX RT (E-TTL metering). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Denoise AI, Sharpen AI, and Clarity in that order.
I went out to my sister in law's place in the mountains above Itri, Italy at 5:30AM to photograph the Bumblebees in her Lavender. There were several that were already awake and foraging in the 17C (62F) temperature.
Bombus hortorum
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F14, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set to over 3x) + a diffused MT26EX-RT with a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe on the "A" head (the key), E-TTL metering, -1 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Sharpen AI and Clarity in that order. I used an artificial flower to keep the background from being black.
Found a little Scissor Bee (Chelostoma florisomne, male) semi active in a Buttercup flower. At 5x magnification he still doesn't completely fill the frame, and the scene is only 4.5mm wide.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (4x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT with a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe on the "A" head (the key), E-TTL metering, -1/3 FEC, second curtain sync). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Sharpen AI, Denoise AI, and Clarity in that order.
I found this Leaf Cutter Bee early in the morning, covered in pollen, and the dew had slowed its metabolism down. While photographing it the critter woke up and started "chattering" -rapidly opening and closing its mandibles. It looks intimidating, but it's not trying to bite but simply trying to get its blood pumping. Kinda like when we get cold and shiver.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/125, ISO 200) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set to 4x) + a diffused MT-26EX RT (E-TTL metering). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Denoise AI and Clarity in that order.
Happy Fly Day Friday. Not sure what this one is, please say if you can identify. Maybe on of the gnats? Pretty small.
I shot this Thick Legged Flower Beetle (Oedemera nobilis) foraging for pollen. It would hold on to Poppy anthers with its front legs and then use its mouth parts to scrape out pollen.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set to 2x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT, E-TTL metering, -1/3 FEC). This is a single frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Sharpen AI and Clarity in that order. Image cropped and up-scaled in post to remove a lot of distracting bits while still preserving the original 24 mega pixels.
Also known as Widow. Libellula Luctuosa. Genue Libellula. Commonly called Skimmers, Chasers, and King Skimmers
Cool temperatures and partly cloudy skies create a stop and go environment for small critters like this female Mining Bee that was foraging for pollen on a Dandelion. It was also windy, so the breeze masked the vibration that I caused when I grabbed onto the Dandelion's stem.
Tech Specs: Canon 90D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set to over 3x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT, E-TTL metering, -2/3 FEC. This is a single frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Denoise AI and Clarity in that order.
I put this semi-active Hairy Footed Bee on a flower and when it would pause I'd look for a composition.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (2x) + a diffused MT-26EX RT (E-TTL metering with -1/3 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Sharpen AI, Denoise AI, and Clarity in that order.
There wasn't enough wind so this Sweat Bee felt me grab onto the stem of the Sourgrass Flower that it was foraging in and climbed to the top of it to investigate. But when it did it was facing away from me. So I carefully turned the flower so that the critter was facing the camera. Gotta be gentle, cause I didn't want to spook the bee into taking off and I didn't want to damage the flower. I managed to get the shot and leave the Sourgrass unharmed.
Sweat Bees in Sourgrass Deconstruction
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (3x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT with a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe on the "A" head (the key), E-TTL metering, -1/3 FEC, second curtain sync). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Sharpen AI, Denoise AI, and Clarity in that order.
I went out to my sister in law's place in the mountains above Itri, Italy at 5:30AM to photograph the Bumblebees in her Lavender. There were several that were already awake and foraging in the 17C (62F) temperature.
Bombus hortorum
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F14, 1/100, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set to about 3x) + a diffused MT26EX-RT with a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe on the "A" head (the key), E-TTL metering, -1 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Sharpen AI and Clarity in that order. I used an artificial flower to keep the background from being black.
This "movie poster" composition is stuck in my head. I shot this European Wool Carder Bee horizontally but framed it for a vertical composition (I turned the shot 90 degrees in post). Easier than trying to hold the camera in portrait orientation.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (4x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT with a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe on the "A" head (the fill for this shot), E-TTL metering, -1/3 FEC, second curtain sync). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. I'm holding on to the Lavender stem with my left hand, and resting the lens on that same hand to keep the scene steady.
My wife found this Mantis in our Lavender in the evening, but I waited until early the next day to shoot it hoping that the cooler temps would slow it down. No such luck though. It was active and difficult to photograph. Image taken in Lago Patria, Italy in September of 2021.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F14, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set to over 2x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT with a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe on the "A" head (the key), E-TTL metering, -1 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Sharpen AI and Clarity in that order.
My wife found this Mantis in our Lavender in the evening, but I waited until early the next day to shoot it hoping that the cooler temps would slow it down. No such luck though. It was active and difficult to photograph. Image taken in Lago Patria, Italy in September of 2021.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F14, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set to over 2x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT with a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe on the "A" head (the key), E-TTL metering, -1 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Sharpen AI and Clarity in that order.
This would be in the family Membracidae and likely subfamily Telamona.
Magnification just over 2x lifesized, 67 stacked images
Pentax K-01, DFA 50mm reverse mounted on extension.
IGP0881-0941 ZS DMap_tu3_tm1
This Sweat Bee was foraging for nectar in a Sunflower and while I was tracking it with the camera it "paused" for a brief second to do some antenna maintenance.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 200) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (2x) + a diffused MT-26EX RT (E-TTL metering). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Denoise AI, Sharpen AI, and Clarity in that order.
Normally I wouldn't keep a shot like this, or even take it in the first place, because it's too top down. But I think it's a good torture test for the new diffuser set that I built for the macro twin flash and I like the patterns in the wings.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 200) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set to 1x) + a diffused MT-26EX RT (E-TTL metering). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Denoise AI and Clarity in that order.
This Shield Bug was on my Garlic. It would pause occasionally and let me take a few photos.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (over 3x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT (E-TTL metering, -1/3 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. I used an artificial flower to keep the background from being black.
I found a female Scolia hirta wasp that was more hungry than afraid. Cool, partly cloudy, weather made for some really good shooting conditions. Image taken in Lago Patria, Italy in November of 2021.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F13, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set to 2x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT, E-TTL metering, -2/3 FEC. This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Sharpen AI and Clarity in that order.
Tiny Grasshopper Nymph on a Leaf - Panasonic GH4, Lumix G Vario 14-42mm lens, Fotodiox Auto Micro Four Thirds Macro Extension Tube
Sometimes when I'm shooting a lethargic subject it will wake up and start going about it's normal routine. That's what happened while photographing this Saw Fly. The tricky part is tracking a moving subject when the frame at 4x is only 5.7mm wide by 3.7mm high.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (around 4x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT with a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe on the "A" head (the key), E-TTL metering, +1/3 FEC, second curtain sync). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held.