Green Lacewing

[Gail Spitler]

I present another image that I would welcome your thoughts and suggestions on.

First, I had dof problems when trying to get both the eye and the wings in focus. The insect is on the wall of my house and getting a tripod setup seemed impossible, so I trying to handhold the camera against the house. I changed from a 100mm macro lens to a 150mm, hoping that might help the dof. BTW we are in shadow as well. Also tried upping the ISO but that resulted in way too much noise.:(

I also am not sure how I want to crop this image, so I tried having the insect as large as possible. :confused: Thoughts?

I also tried to pp as gently as possible. This insect is a lovely green and is positioned on cedar siding so I thought the color contrast might work. :confused:Thoughts?

Thanks very much
Gail
Canon 40D with Sigma 150mm macro at 150mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec ISO 640

[carole wiley]

I think what you are trying to accomplish is going to be really difficult without a tripod. I think you are going to need more DOF than you can get handholding a macro lens with no light. As presented I think there are some hot spots and the lack of DOF is an issue. The colors are nice and I wish the pattern in the wings was stronger because it is really terrific. The image seems to lack sharpness. I find bugs/insects very difficult because you really have to decide on what is to be in focus. You have a good start to something I think is difficult to accomplish.

[Alfred Forns]

Gail got a suggestion for the limited dof !!! Try one of the programs to bracket focus !!! They actually work and are easy to use. Just started using Helicon Focus You start sharp at one end and keep making exposures changing the focus as you make your way to the tail

If the little critter stays put for a minute or so you can do it !! Will be trying some soon !!! Actually did a leaf floating in a pond and looked good !!!

[Nonda Surratt]

I think everything has been covered pretty well Gail.

I do really like this image, colors and bug

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

Hi Gail,
I think all points have been covered - this is a beautiful bug and I like what you did a lot.
Regards,
Nicki

[Gail Spitler]

Hi Everyone
Thanks for the comments. Al I agree about the new software possibilities. I've been looking at Jody Melanson's recent work that is posted at the Macro & Flora forum. Really blows you away. So far I think there are two programs that allow you to stack to achieve dof: Combine Z and Helicon Focus. It will be interesting to see user comments.
Carol your point is well taken - I need smaller aperture & hence a tripod is the only option.
I really liked the bug too. Turns out it is also a beneficial insect around the garden as well.
Thanks again
Gail

[Julie Kenward]

Gail, if you had put this up in the Out of the Box forum I would have said it was "magical" as it reminds me of something in a Disney story. Not necessarily strong as a macro image but it has such a lovely surreal feel to it!

[Gail Spitler]

Jules
Thanks very much
Gail

[Desmond Chan]

I changed from a 100mm macro lens to a 150mm, hoping that might help the dof.

I don't think a longer focal length gives you deeper DOF. Rather, it's the other way round. Think about a wide-angle lens and a tele. I'd say the former gives you a much deeper DOF. But, for your situation, I think a tripod is necessary if the situation allows.

[Gail Spitler]

Desmond
Thanks. You are obviously right I wonder what I was thinking...perhaps grasping at straws.
Gail

[Oscar Zangroniz]

Gail, I like your image as presented. IMHO
Regards,

[Arthur Morris]

I don't think a longer focal length gives you deeper DOF. Rather, it's the other way round. Think about a wide-angle lens and a tele. I'd say the former gives you a much deeper DOF. But, for your situation, I think a tripod is necessary if the situation allows.

Ah, a very common mis-conception: if the size of the subject in the frame and the aperture are both constant, depth of field is the same regardless of the focal length of the lens. What differs is the angle of view...

[Arthur Morris]

Al I agree about the new software possibilities. I've been looking at Jody Melanson's recent work that is posted at the Macro & Flora forum. Really blows you away. So far I think there are two programs that allow you to stack to achieve dof: Combine Z and Helicon Focus. It will be interesting to see user comments.

If you are gonna even think about such programs you need to get your lens on a tripod all of the time... Same goes for all macro work unless you are goonna do flash as main light...

ps: Let's not forget that Jody's subject are not only dead bu frozen...

pps: the only way to stop the motion of the antennae (sp???) would be to use flash as main light. Robert O'Toole is a master of this technique: macro flash as main whille handholding...

[Arthur Morris]

All of the basics have not been covered. :):):)

Speaking of basics, the image is over-exposed. With a small very light subject against a relatively dark BKRG some underexposure was needed.

Note the clipped highlights inside the red circle...

[Desmond Chan]

Ah, a very common mis-conception: if the size of the subject in the frame and the aperture are both constant, depth of field is the same regardless of the focal length of the lens. What differs is the angle of view...

Ooops !!! :o:o:o

[Amy DeStefanis]

I had thought perhaps Gail had a longer lens that offered a smaller minimum aperture than the shorter lens - and thus a deeper DOF. Still, with the slower shutter speed needed to get there, it would probably need to be shot with a tripod - especially because the longer the focal length, the more difficult to hand-hold anyway....

Amy D.

[Gail Spitler]

Art
Thanks for all the detailed discussion. I think becoming more proficient with flash, both macro and standard, needs to be high on my agenda. I have read that section of The Art of Bird Photography II, but I need to study it rather than just read it.

Thanks again to everyone; the discussion has been very helpful

Gail

[Arthur Morris]

You are most welcome. The harder that you work and study, the better your images will be.