|
|
Crane fly (Tipula logicornis)
This crane fly was sitting on the black cover of one of our tanks. The black background made correct exposure a problem but, after shooting some photos I was able to come up with some nice shots. The animal will stay practically motionless which makes focusing really easy.
Photo by John Reclos
Shooting Data:
Camera: Nikon Coolpix 5700
Lens: Macro 0.33X
Sensitivity: ISO100
Shutter speed: 1/100sec f/8
Flash: on-camera.
Image: JPEG processed in Photoshop CS, unsharp mask filter, curves to reduce the highlights and resized. |
|
|
Red Stink Bug (Family: Pentatomidae)
While walking in the nearby mountain I noticed a vivid red dot amongst a sea of green leaves. Unfortunately, the only lens I had with me was the "general use" zoom lens, nevertheless I gave it a shot. Not as sharp as it would have been with a specialized macro lens but it still shows why it was a striking image. After all, not all photos come out as straight "A"s.
Photo by George J. Reclos
Shooting Data:
Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Tamron AF 28-300 f/3.5-6.3 at 155 mm.
Sensitivity: ISO200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/60sec - f/10, AP mode
Flash: SB800, auto/return light detected
Image: JPEG processed in Photoshop CS, unsharp mask filter, curves to reduce the highlights and resized. Noise reduction in NeatImage using a NikonD70 noise profile for ISO200. |
|
|
Moth in a trap (Euplagia quadripunctaria; common name: Jersey tiger)
A colorful Virgin Tiger moth was caught by surprise while visiting a flower. Ants managed to grab it and keep it in place till more and more ants came in to help. The moth had literally no chance. The powerful ants kept in in place and managed to eat it in a very short while. Shot in the afternoon with natural light and fill-in flash. Special thanks are due to Matt Rowlings for identifying this butterfly. You can read more about it at his site http://www.eurobutterflies.com/
Photo by George J. Reclos
Shooting data:
Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO200
Shutter speed: 1/60sec @ f/16
Flash: SB-800 on-camera TTL (non BL) mode
Image: JPEG processed in Photoshop CS, unsharp mask filter, curves to reduce the highlights and resized. |
|
|
Moth in a trap II (Euplagia quadripunctaria; common name: Jersey tiger)
After a couple of hours, all that is left on the flower is the non-edible parts of the moth, like the colorful wings shown in this picture. Special thanks are due to Matt Rowlings for identifying this butterfly. You can read more about it at his site http://www.eurobutterflies.com/
Photo by George J. Reclos
Shooting data:
Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO200
Shutter speed: 1/60sec @ f/16
Flash: SB-800 on-camera TTL (non BL) mode
Image: JPEG processed in Photoshop CS, unsharp mask filter, curves to reduce the highlights and resized. |
|
|
Cicada I (Family: Cicadidae; adult male)
During the Greek summer, you can hear them everywhere. Spotting them is not always easy but if you persist you will be able to spot them on the trunk of a nearby tree.
Photo by George J. Reclos
Shooting data:
Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO200
Shutter speed: 1/125sec @ f/16
Flash: SB-800 on-camera TTL (non BL) mode
Image: JPEG processed in Photoshop CS, unsharp mask filter, curves to reduce the highlights and resized. |
|
|
Cicada II - the details (Family: Cicadidae; adult male)
Focusing on the eyes of an insect is quite a task even when the animal stays still. The limited depth of field makes it extremely difficult since the slightest vibration of your hands and body will just get the photo out of focus. This is one of the very few good shots taken that day.
Photo by George J. Reclos
Shooting data:
Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO200
Shutter speed: 1/60sec @ f/16
Flash: SB-800 on-camera TTL (non BL) mode
Image: JPEG processed in Photoshop CS, unsharp mask filter, curves to reduce the highlights and resized. |
|
 |
Myzus sp., (Family: Aphidae)
There is a limit to how close you can get and the level of magnification you can achieve with a conventional macro - camera combination. These tiny aphids prove this. Measuring far less than 5 mm (my guess is about 2 mm) proved to be a bit too small even for a macro lens. I used the 90 mm macro lens with an 1.4X tele-converter to achieve the maximum possible magnification of 1.4 X life-size. It was evident that focusing should be on the spot since the depth of field - despite stopping the lens down to f/16 - would be paper thin so only one of the aphids would be in focus. The camera was mounted on a tripod and fired with a remote control to reduce vibration to an absolute minimum. The lens was set to its minimum focusing distance and the focusing was done be moving the camera - tripod complex back and forth till the largest aphid was in focus. Unlike the usual green coloured aphids those were red / brown coloured and it was the first time I saw them on our plants.
Photo by George J. Reclos
Shooting Data:
Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 with Kenko N-AFD Teleconverter TelePlus Pro300 -1.4X
Sensitivity: ISO200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/60 sec - f/16, AP mode
Flash: SB800, auto/return light detected (TTL/BL mode)
Image: JPEG processed in Photoshop CS, unsharp mask filter and resized. |
|
|
Sceliphron caementarium (common name: Black and yellow mud dauber)
While preparing one more update for our website, this insect came in the office trying to find a place suitable for its nest. These insects use mud to build a nest and collect spiders to put in the compartments which will be used by their larvae as food. After a while it landed on the support of my office lamp. The camera was next to me with the macro lens on so I managed to take some pictures before it left. Since this insect can deliver a really painful sting, trying to trap it was out of the question.
Photos by George J. Reclos
Shooting Data:
Camera: Nikon D2X
Lens: Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO100
Shutter speed: 1/60, f3.5 Aperture priority
Flash:SB800 in i-TTL
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS2, levels adjusted, USM added and resized. |
|
|
Chrysopa carneia (Family: Chrysopidae; common name: Green lacewing)
While getting down from the bird observatory at the Dadia forest (Evros, Greece) I noticed this insect sitting on a leaf. I was surprised by its golden eyes so I took several shots of it. Despite the use of flash, the insect didn't move an inch.
Photo by George J. Reclos
Shooting Data:
1. Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO200
Shutter speed: 1/60, f7.1 Aperture priority
Flash:SB800 in i-TTL
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS, levels adjusted, Smart sharpening added and resized.
2. Camera: Nikon D300
Lens: Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO200
Shutter speed: 1/1000, f8, Manual mode
Flash:SB800 in TTL/FP
Image: JPEG edited in Photoshop CS3, levels adjusted, smart sharpening added and resized. |
