flash for macro work

[JaronRH]

WOW! the colours are amazing in your shots! They have certainly inspired me to get out there once my lens comes, especially the one of the lens. Hadn't really thought of doing much still life tbh but im quite taken with that shot, Awesome work!

Thanks!

Out of interest, what camera and lens do you use?? Also i was wondering if you use a flash bracket when you say on camera, or is it in the hot shoe?? The reason i ask is i came across a thread on a different forum(i forget which one sorry) where people were posting pics of their macro setups and 90% were using rather elaborate brackets. I just wondered if it was possible to achieve results like you have in the hot shoe as yours are certainly up there with, if not, the best pics ive seen in my research!

For all of these pictures, I used my D90 and, with the exception of the first picture which used a Sigma 17-50 OS, I used the Tamron 90mm Macro (non-VC version). All of the on-camera flash pictures where either done with the flash in the hot shoe or by holding the flash to the side and triggering it using AWS (The commander mode of the D90). I've used a flash bracket for a few weddings but I don't think I've ever used one for macro photography!

 

[DaiPK]

WOW! the colours are amazing in your shots! They have certainly inspired me to get out there once my lens comes, especially the one of the lens. Hadn't really thought of doing much still life tbh but im quite taken with that shot, Awesome work!

Thanks!

Out of interest, what camera and lens do you use?? Also i was wondering if you use a flash bracket when you say on camera, or is it in the hot shoe?? The reason i ask is i came across a thread on a different forum(i forget which one sorry) where people were posting pics of their macro setups and 90% were using rather elaborate brackets. I just wondered if it was possible to achieve results like you have in the hot shoe as yours are certainly up there with, if not, the best pics ive seen in my research!

For all of these pictures, I used my D90 and, with the exception of the first picture which used a Sigma 17-50 OS, I used the Tamron 90mm Macro (non-VC version). All of the on-camera flash pictures where either done with the flash in the hot shoe or by holding the flash to the side and triggering it using AWS (The commander mode of the D90). I've used a flash bracket for a few weddings but I don't think I've ever used one for macro photography!

Thanks for taking the time to answer!! I got my lens yesterday The weather was terrible though so i only took a couple of test shots of my snakes. Am very impressed so far. All the settings on the flash are daunting though! Ive not done any reading up on flash photography/lighting up until now as ive only had my camera a couple of months so have been getting to grips with everything else! I did take a comparison shot though, with and without flash of my green tree python and the difference was astounding. The flash really brought the colours out. I cant wait to really get out shooting properly. I worked a 12 hour night shift last night and have another one tonight so dont have as much time as id like.....i've still not made the diffuser yet! The suns out now though but (im gonna sound really stupid here) i dunno how easy it is to find any bugs in the winter lol im going to venture out the garden now and move some stuff see what lurks underneath for an hour before work. If (and thats a big IF!!!) i get any decent shots ill come back and share them here. Dont hold your breath though lol

 

[DaiPK]

Turns out im a natural at finding bugs(if not photographing them lol).....first thing i turned over i found this little guy:


caterpillar by DaiPK, on Flickr

Ive currently got him hostage as my dinner was ready(lucky i found him so quick or i woulda burnt my pie i completely forgot about it lol). He's being treated well and im hoping once he warms up a bit(its not v. warm outside) he'll open up and move about. I took that photo with the flash in one hand and the camera in the other as thats how it was set up from yesterday. I focused it firsrt then picked up the flash i dont know how i managed to steady the camera for a photo lol. Any how im gonna make a diffuser thingy and put him back outside and try and get some decent photos lol as thats terrible im just landed i found him!!

 

[DaiPK]

well i made a rather crude diffuser and took a few shots:


DSC_0058 by DaiPK, on Flickr


DSC_0052 by DaiPK, on Flickr



DSC_0049 by DaiPK, on Flickr

i'm pretty happy with them for a first attempt what do you guys think?

 

[JaronRH]

i'm pretty happy with them for a first attempt what do you guys think?

Looks like the Sigma 150 is living up to its reputation! Maybe someday I'll get one. Anyway, what did you end up doing for your diffuser? Looks like the flash is still a little hot yet but I know all too well that it sometimes just cannot be avoided depending on what you have to work with. I think some shots - especially your last one - could have been framed a little more tightly. Also, don't be afraid to clamp down on the aperture to get some extra DOF.

 

[DaiPK]

i'm pretty happy with them for a first attempt what do you guys think?

Looks like the Sigma 150 is living up to its reputation! Maybe someday I'll get one. Anyway, what did you end up doing for your diffuser? Looks like the flash is still a little hot yet but I know all too well that it sometimes just cannot be avoided depending on what you have to work with. I think some shots - especially your last one - could have been framed a little more tightly. Also, don't be afraid to clamp down on the aperture to get some extra DOF.

Yeah I thought the flash was a little strong i just fashioned a diffuser outta an old cereal box and used a single sheet of kitchen tissue ill try 2 pieces tomorow perhaps. I have 18 days off work after this night shift so i got plenty of time to experiment hopefully ill be able to find some cool bugs ! I realised after i posted I shot all of em with the OS off so could stop down easily. I think I was mainly shooting around F11. I should add he was pretty tiny as caterpillars go he coulda sat on my finger tip curled up in a ball lol!

 

[greybeard37 9]

I'm a big fan of the Nikon R1C1 flash system. It's expensive but it works well and will accommodate just about any situation. These were taken a 105 micro Nikkor hand held @ f/20 with one flash mounted to the side of the lens and the other hand held to the left side. 2:1 with the hand held at 2 and the mounted flash at 1.