Results 1 to 18 of 18

Thread: Lady Beetle and lightbox setup

  1. #1
    BPN Member Steve Maxson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Bemidji, Minnesota
    Posts
    5,801
    Threads
    818
    Thank You Posts

    Default Lady Beetle and lightbox setup

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    This Convergent Lady Beetle (Hippodamia convergens) was photographed in my light box studio setup. 7D, 100 mm macro, 1/250, f/16, ISO 100, 2 remotely fired flashes, tripod. On an earlier studio image, Brendan asked if I could illustrate my studio setup and I have done so in pane #2. All comments are welcome and appreciated.

  2. Thanks kamran shahin thanked for this post
  3. #2
    BPN Member Steve Maxson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Bemidji, Minnesota
    Posts
    5,801
    Threads
    818
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Attached Images Attached Images
     
    This image illustrates a simple and inexpensive light box design for photographing insects and other small subjects. I learned this from Alex Wild ( www.alexanderwild.com ) during a workshop. Start with a simple cardboard box - this one is 14x14x14 inches, but size is not critical. All the interior surfaces are lined with white posterboard (white printer paper will also work). Light is provided by two flash units pointed upward to bounce light around the interior of the light box. (There are shadows inside the light box because the flashes were not fired during this photo.) Note that I have wrapped printer paper around the outside of the flash heads - this extends a little above the top of the flash - the only purpose is to ensure that no direct light from the flash strikes the subject. I set the flashes to manual mode and adjust the power to suit the subject - with a little experimentation, you will be good to go - and the flashes are fired remotely. I use a 4-channel wireless trigger (WPT-04) available from Cowboy Studio ( www.cowboystudio.com ) for $38. The transmitter fits in the camera's hot shoe and a receiver attaches to each flash. You will need an external light source such as a small lamp to provide enough light on your subject so that you can focus (the flashes will completely overpower this light so it won't show in the image). Note that the subject is placed on a piece of translucent mylar plastic on the bottom of the box. This will prevent fibers on the surface of the paper from showing in your image and it also can be rotated like a "lazy Susan" to get a good shooting angle on your subject. Note also the petri dish cover on top of the insect. Often an active subject can be calmed down by leaving it under the petri dish for a few minutes. When ready to photograph, simply lift off the petri dish and fire away. You can also use a colored background or a different substrate such as a leaf - in which case you may need to adjust the power settings on the flashes.

  4. Thanks kamran shahin thanked for this post
  5. #3
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Citrus Springs, FL
    Posts
    1,555
    Threads
    178
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Interesting. I think I may try this. Thank you for the information

  6. #4
    BPN Viewer Dave Leroy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Delta, BC
    Posts
    3,789
    Threads
    380
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Lovely photo Steve and a really nice subject. I like the camera settings, and no wind. Thanks for all the detailed info and links as well.

  7. #5
    Brendan Dozier
    Guest

    Default

    This is really awesome, Steve! I don't think I've ever seen a ladybug so close-up before. Awesome detail and excellent exposure. I'm not sure but I'd be tempted to try cloning out that little bit of the rt foot. Seems just a bit distracting only because it's so close to the antenna. Thanks so much for showing us your macro studio set-up, and providing links. For some reason, I thought it would be much more elaborate. I like that it seems fairly straightforward, but realize it's all about experience and knowing how to execute the image. I have been thinking about trying some stuff like this, just have to get the additional equipment.

    btw - I was looking at your aquarium macro images the other day, and thought that you should write a "how to" book on the subject.

  8. #6
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    INDIA, RAJKOT
    Posts
    563
    Threads
    91
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Its really cool... bug to photographs ... Steve it is awesome...
    It is nice to have experiment With your subject when it is cooperating with you.. Really nice studio... Lady bug comes to your studio or you brought him..???

  9. #7
    BPN Viewer Galliani Carlo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Italy
    Posts
    152
    Threads
    74
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    very interesting post and thanks for information and link
    Very good shot

  10. #8
    BPN Viewer
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Mifflin, TN
    Posts
    2,799
    Threads
    379
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hey Steve, thanks for sharing your setup...obviously it does the job quite well!

    My lightbox is made out of white foam board and is much larger but the concept is the same. I originally lit it with 4 clamp on lights but after seeing your results with bounced flash, I just did some experimenting and I think I can get acceptable results with my one flash attached to the camera with the wide panel extended. If it works, I'll share the results.

  11. #9
    Forum Participant Valerio Tarone's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Posts
    800
    Threads
    211
    Thank You Posts

    Default ladybug

    Steve, very interesting, thank you for sharing. I concern about the fact that the ladybug is mobile, but you use a petri dish, I suppose you free it thereafter! It's a very useful animal...inmy garden.

  12. #10
    Forum Participant OvidiuCavasdan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Romania
    Posts
    1,054
    Threads
    237
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Excellent image, the ladybug looks great on white. Thanks for sharing your setup!

  13. #11
    Julie Kenward
    Guest

    Default

    I don't know what I find more interesting...the image or the lightbox set up! I'm bookmarking this for when I get that second flash unit. Thanks so much for the explanation.

    And, yes, because of you, this lens is now on my wish list over at Amazon.

  14. #12
    BPN Member Steve Maxson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Bemidji, Minnesota
    Posts
    5,801
    Threads
    818
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks everyone for the comments!

    Joshi - I capture my insect subjects and bring them to my "studio." I've started to accumulate lots of small plastic containers that will fit into a pocket or backpack. I put insects in these for temporary storage until I photograph them - then they are released.

    Ken - Yup, there are multiple ways to get this studio look. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your lightbox work.

    Jules - I hope your lens wish come true!

  15. #13
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Indian Lake Estates, FL
    Posts
    32,506
    Threads
    1,433
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Hey Steve, I love the image--especially the head, thorax, and legs, but I am confused. Was any flash used to create this image???
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

    BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.

    Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,

    E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.










  16. #14
    BPN Member Steve Maxson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Bemidji, Minnesota
    Posts
    5,801
    Threads
    818
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Arthur Morris View Post
    Hey Steve, I love the image--especially the head, thorax, and legs, but I am confused. Was any flash used to create this image???
    Thanks for the comment Artie. Yes, 2 flashes were used for this image - just as shown in the setup in pane #2. The flashes are fired upward into the lightbox to provide indirect lighting on the subject.

  17. #15
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Indian Lake Estates, FL
    Posts
    32,506
    Threads
    1,433
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Maxson View Post
    Thanks for the comment Artie. Yes, 2 flashes were used for this image - just as shown in the setup in pane #2. The flashes are fired upward into the lightbox to provide indirect lighting on the subject.
    YAW. And thanks for the explanation. I get it now . I am wondering if you cross-polarized the two flashes if the reflections on the wing covers could be eliminated??? I do not know enough about that technique to have an answer seeing that the light is reflected....
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

    BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.

    Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,

    E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.










  18. #16
    BPN Member Steve Maxson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Bemidji, Minnesota
    Posts
    5,801
    Threads
    818
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Arthur Morris View Post
    YAW. And thanks for the explanation. I get it now . I am wondering if you cross-polarized the two flashes if the reflections on the wing covers could be eliminated??? I do not know enough about that technique to have an answer seeing that the light is reflected....
    I haven't yet tried cross-polarization so I can't comment on whether it might work in this situation.

  19. #17
    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Indian Lake Estates, FL
    Posts
    32,506
    Threads
    1,433
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    I do know that it can be used to eliminate reflections but have no clue if it would work with reflected light from a flash. I will ask Mr. Lepp when I see him in March (I think...)
    BIRDS AS ART Blog: great info and lessons, lots of images with our legendary BAA educational Captions; we will not sell you junk. 30+ years of long lens experience/e-mail with gear questions.

    BIRDS AS ART Online Store: we will not sell you junk. 35 years of long lens experience. Please e-mail with gear questions.

    Check out the new SONY e-Guide and videos that I did with Patrick Sparkman here. Ten percent discount for BPN members,

    E-mail me at samandmayasgrandpa@att.net.










  20. #18
    Lifetime Member Doug Brown's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Albuquerque, NM
    Posts
    11,879
    Threads
    917
    Thank You Posts

    Default

    Thanks Steve for sharing a wonderful image and a great explanation of how the photo was achieved.
    Upcoming Workshops: Bosque del Apache 2019, Ecuador 2020 (details coming soon)
    Website -
    Facebook - 500px

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Web Analytics