View allAll Photos Tagged InsectPhotography
Technique: I found this European Wool carder bee snoozing on a Lavender stalk before sunset and woke up early the next morning to photograph it before it warmed up and got active. I placed an artificial flower in the background to keep the background from being black. This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 200 with highlight tone priority) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (around 2x) + a diffused MT-24EX (both flash heads on the Canon flash mount, E-TTL metering with -1 2/3 FEC).
Another Sweat Bee in a Sourgrass Flower that knows I'm close. Still hoping for a windy day so that they can't tell when I grab onto the flower they're in.
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.
wasn't able to make a positive identification on the skipper but i'm absolutely sure it was a surprise lily
backyard capture in chesterfield
It is pretty common for mildew (a fungus) to grow on Sunflower leaves but when it does nature sends in her cleaning crew, the 22 Spot Ladybug. They have been grazing like cows in my yard for about a week now.
Psyllobora vigintiduopunctata.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F14, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set to about 2.5x) + a diffused MT-26EX RT (E-TTL metering with -2/3 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Sharpen AI and Clarity in that order.
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.
While I was photographing this Ladybug it started cleaning itself, kinda like a cat licking its paws.
Tech Specs: Canon 90D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set to 2x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT, E-TTL metering, -1 FEC. This is a single frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Denoise AI and Clarity in that order.
I spotted this European Wool Carder Bees (Anthidium florentinum) snoozing in my Lavender in the evening but waited until early the next morning to photograph it hoping the cooler temperature would give me more time to shoot it. This time I managed to photograph the critter for over half an hour.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F14, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set to 4x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT with a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe on the "A" head (the key), E-TTL metering, -1/3 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Denoise AI and Clarity in that order. I used an artificial flower to keep the background from being black.
After about a dozen of my Red Mason Bees hatched I carried them to some flowers so they could eat. Due to the cool (14C) partly cloudy weather they had a hard time getting their metabolism going. This little guy would forage for a while then turn around to look outside the flower. His metabolism would tank and every time he stopped moving I'd look for a photo.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 200 due to Highlight Tone Priority) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (about 2.5x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT (both flash heads on the Canon flash mount), E-TTL metering, (+1/3 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held.
I was photographing when i saw this hoverfly. It looked just a little different than what i had seen not to long ago at the time. So i wanted to photograph it, took my shot and got this result!
And later when i checked i was right! It was a different species called meliscaeva cinctella (or stomp elfje in my language)!
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Species: ❌no common name❌, stomp elfje 🇳🇱, gulbåndet krattblomsterflue 🇳🇴 (meliscaeva cinctella)
Technique: I injected artificial nectar into a Lavender flower and when the honeybee started feeding on it I grabbed onto the stem of the lavender flower with my left hand, and then rested the lens on that same hand to help keep the scene steady. Then we played a game where I'd frame and compose the scene only for her to move at the last second ;)
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 200 with highlight tone priority) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (over 2x) + a diffused MT-24EX (both flash heads on the Canon flash mount, E-TTL metering with -1 1/3 FEC, second curtain sync). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. Image taken in 2016 but I'm just now getting around to processing it.
I went out early and found this rather alien looking metallic beetle hanging out on a Dandelion. Tentatively identified as Buprestidae, likely in the genus Acmaeodera. Common name: Jewel Beetle.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (almost 3x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT with a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe on the "A" head (the key), E-TTL metering, -1/3 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Denoise AI and Clarity in that order. I held the flower close to a wall to keep the background from being black.
This European Wool Carder Bee (Anthidium florentinum) was semi-active so I was able to get a shot without its mandibles clamped onto a plant stem. Looks menacing but they are really docile and excellent pollinators.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (set to almost 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.
Macro shot of a fly facing me, letting me inch-up my camera as close as I might hope to get before it takes off.
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 found this Cricket foraging on a Dandelion at the Monte Orlando Nature Preserve in Gaeta, Italy. Right before it took off the critter cleaned its face and ate the pollen that had stuck to it. Nearly every insect that I have photographed will do some sort of pre-flight maintenance before it gets airborne. So if you manage to get close to an active subject be ready for this type of behavior because it makes for a really interesting photo.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/125, ISO 200) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (over 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.
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.
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.
This female Sweat Bee is using her mandibles to strip pollen out of a Sourgrass anther. I shot a video on how I take these photos youtu.be/iQtUIiNCSzs
Sweat Bees in Sourgrass Deconstruction
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (around 2.5x) + 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 and Clarity in that order. I was holding on to the flower's stem with my left hand, and then resting the lens on that same hand to help keep the scene steady. Easier to do on days when it's windy since the vibrations that I create when I grab onto the flower are masked by the breeze.
I chased this semi-active Long Horned Bee as it moved around a flower and when it would pause I'd look for a way to compose it. Just out of the frame, to the left, I'm holding on to that stem with my left hand and I'm resting the lens on that same hand to help keep the scene steady. Having the camera and the subject on the same "platform" gives me a lot of control over the framing and where I want the area of acceptable focus to be. I focused on the leading edge of the bee's mandible and then twisted my wrist to lay the depth over as much of the critter's face as I could. It's harder for me to explain it than to do it, I've built up a lot of muscle memory shooting macro hand held these fifteen years.
Tetralonia malvae, male.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (over 2x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT with a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe on the "A" head (the key), E-TTL metering, -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 used an artificial flower to keep the background from being black.
I've been planting my yard to attract more critters and this Hairy Footed Bee is a new visitor.
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 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.
This caterpillar paused just long enough for me to take a shot at four times life size.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (over 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. I'm holding on to the stem of the plant with my left hand, and resting the lens on that same hand to keep the scene steady.
Photographing this mating pair of Sweat Bees was tricky cause they weren't sitting still.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (over 2x) + 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.
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.
Got lucky and found a female Spotted Eye Drone fly early in the day, and she was lethargic enough to let me get a few frames. I know she's a she cause there is a gap between her eyes -males have eyes that touch each other at the top of their head.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (2x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT with a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe on the "A" head (the key), E-TTL metering, -1/3 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Denoise AI and Clarity in that order. I held the grass stem close to a wall to keep the background from being black.
A group of Sweat Bees set up camp in one of my Geranium flowers. They like to sleep under the leaves in groups, and the plant seems to offer them some good protection. I checked on them after a heavy thunderstorm and they seemed to be OK. They are called Sweat Bees because some of them are attracted to the minerals in your sweat. Image taken in Lago Patria, Italy in August of 2021.
Possibly Halictus sexcinctus.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F14, 1/250, ISO 200) + 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.
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.
Technique: I found this European Wool carder bee snoozing on a Lavender stalk before sunset and woke up early the next morning to photograph it before it warmed up and got active. I placed an artificial flower behind it to keep the background from being black.
Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (almost 5x) + a diffused MT-26EX RT (E-TTL metering with -1/3 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. To keep the scene steady I held onto the Lavender stalk with my left hand, and then rested the lens on that same hand so that the subject and camera where on the same platform. In post I used Topaz Sharpen AI, Denoise AI, and Clarity in that order.
Before sundown I went for a walk in my yard to see if I could find something to point the camera at and I spotted this European Wool Carder Bee snoozing in one of my Sunflowers.
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). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Denoise AI, Sharpen AI, and Clarity in that order.