Predaceous Diving Beetle - larva

[Steve Maxson]

This is the larva of one of the large Predaceous Diving Beetles (Dytiscus sp.). If anything, these are even nastier and more voracious than they look! :Whoa!: The image was taken last summer in my 2-gallon aquarium setup. 5D II, 100 mm macro, 1/80, f/16, ISO 100, MT24-EX macro twin flash (diffused), tripod. I cleaned up a lot of tiny bits of debris in the water that were illuminated by the flash. I used the darken/lighten center filter in NIK Color Efex Pro 4 to apply a subtle vignette. All comments are welcome and appreciated.

[Maureen Allen]

Wow, this is amazing. The detail and angled body are wonderful. He looks pretty scary though!

[Jason Stander]

OUTSTANDING!

[Roman Kurywczak]

I just love these images of yours! Great pose and details! I think the subtle vignette works too. Outstanding as usual!

[Jerry van Dijk]

Very nice Steve, I'm still amazed about the details you are able to capture on these critters with this setup.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Absolutely first class, great DOF and fine detail, I also like the setting, it is large in the frame but it works fro me.

[Ken Childs]

Steve, you just keep amazing me with these aquarium images! In the case of this monster, all I can say is I'm glad I'm not a small aquatic creature! :S3: