Maybe My Best Insect Macro?

[sm4him]

I actually took this a while back, and intended to post it, but apparently got distracted, as happens to me SO easily. Then I just forgot and assumed I'd posted it. Today I was looking through some older stuff and re-discovered it.
I took this back in May, and had only had the macro lens for about a month or so. I've gotten more proficient with the lens and the flash since then--but this is still one of my two favorite insect shots.

Comments appreciated!

 

[snowbear118 49]

Love the water droplets. :thumbup:

 

[jhodges10]

I think it would have been better if you had an umbrella and/or soft box.

In all seriousness I like that shot. I won't even attempt any CC as macro is far from a strong suit of mine.

 

[Overread17 5]

Lovely shot and certainly a very fine capture! I'd certainly be proud of the result and heck you've not even clipped any of the insect nor its back leg.

(I can see some grain around the background areas, but I've a feeling that is the result of this rubbishy screen I'm on just rearing its noisy display again rather than the actual photo - if it is the photo and others can see it then noise reduction will cure it without any trouble).

 

[ceejtank]

Awesome shot

 

[480sparky41 41]

 

[cgipson1]

Sharon, Very well done... but the DOF on the insect is not as deep as it would have been, do to your wanting the droplets in focus also. If you had backed off a little distance wise, you could have had both! Very nice... you are really doing well...

 

[cgipson1]

I think it would have been better if you had an umbrella and/or soft box.

Just curious why you feel this way???

 

[jhodges10]

Just curious why you feel this way???

It's an inside joke.

 

[sm4him]

I think it would have been better if you had an umbrella and/or soft box.

Just curious why you feel this way???

It's cool, Charlie! I'm buying a lens from jhodges and told him I'd also just bought a softbox and a reflecting umbrella (AND my flash bracket--FINALLY!) and that I couldn't wait to get them, so that's why he suggested those--not because they would actually be useful on this shot!

And you're right about the DOF--but this shot was back in May; I think I've come a ways since then!

 

[sm4him]

Lovely shot and certainly a very fine capture! I'd certainly be proud of the result and heck you've not even clipped any of the insect nor its back leg.

(I can see some grain around the background areas, but I've a feeling that is the result of this rubbishy screen I'm on just rearing its noisy display again rather than the actual photo - if it is the photo and others can see it then noise reduction will cure it without any trouble).

Anyone else see a grainy background? I don't, but I don't know if it's my monitor or my vision--grain often has to be pretty bad for me to pick up on it because of my vision issues.

Oh, and thanks Overread!

 

[480sparky41 41]

The grainy background may just be the result of reducing the image for posting... either your software or your hosting.

 

[MLeeK]

OH! MY! He is a handsome fella. Those water droplets really add some perspective to how small he is and how BIG your details are! It's gorgeous!

 

[sm4him]

The grainy background may just be the result of reducing the image for posting... either your software or your hosting.

Problem is, I don't see it in the original, OR in the flickr file image--and it's hard to assess and/or fix what you can't see!
I'm kinda tempted to try some noise reduction on the original, but I'm afraid that since I'm not even seeing the grain in the first place, I'd do more harm than good trying to "fix" it.

 

[sm4him]

OH! MY! He is a handsome fella. Those water droplets really add some perspective to how small he is and how BIG your details are! It's gorgeous!

Thanks, I appreciate that!