Ants and aphids on a mango tree. These ants are translucent, so tried lighting them from behind.
Tammy 90mm, ISO 200, f/22, 1/200s, manual exposure.
Strobist information: Vivitar 285HV on top-left, a little behind the stem to get the back-lighting effect. Used a paper reflector on the flash. Manual power - 1/4.
Perez de la Garza, Vinay Venugopal, akshath, dmwt, and 25 other people added this photo to their favorites.
MyArtistSoul 61 months ago | reply
This is really nice. I started shooting macro nighttime black widow spiders, moths, ants and other bugs only a few months ago and I am learning the difficulty of getting good lighting and good focus with such tiny subjects always in motion. Your backlit ant shot is a very striking image. How'd you get so much DOF?
binux 61 months ago | reply
Thanks Jim.
Used an aperture of f/22 for getting the required DOF. Had to crank up the flash power for that kind of aperture. This was shot in broad daylight with the light from the flash completely overpowering the ambient light.
I use manual focus for these shots, moving the entire rig back and forth. I take multiple shots to make sure at least some come out sharp.
Through my lens.... 61 months ago | reply
this is awesome binux
MyArtistSoul 61 months ago | reply
Oooooh, daylight + big flash power!....and a tripod. So THAT's your secret! he, he, he. Actually I can see how that REALLY pays off.
I've been excited about the amount of detail I could capture in bugs with my Canon 40D + 60mm macro handheld (typically bouncing a Viv 285 off a foamcore card), but your shots not only have amazing detail, but also are artfully done, beautiful photographs. Very inspiring!!!
I have a lot of experience lighting tabletop product in a studio situation, but outdoors trying to shoot tiny critters (who may want to protect their territory) and being in cramped, awkward positions is WAY more difficult. I really appreciate the energy it must take to get the shots you do.
I'm looking forward to summer here and the bugs. Bring 'em on!
Vinay Venugopal 61 months ago | reply
Wow...splendid work.Your macro photography is very inspiring :-)
binux 61 months ago | reply
Thanks Anand and Vinay.
Anil: Yeah, your cropping suggestion will work better. I shouldn't stick to 3:2 crops all the time.
Jim: I don't use a tripod.
Aravindan Rajaram 61 months ago | reply
Excellent shot!
binux 60 months ago | reply
Thanks Aravind.
MithunR 56 months ago | reply
very nice capture..
SowmyaVinu 54 months ago | reply
Your Macros sets are amazing..
Ryan Somma 46 months ago | reply
Thank you so much for licensing your photos Creative Commons! Your work helped to illustrate the science content on ideonexus, which helps to enlighten and educate our visitors. We greatly appreciate your contributions to the Commons!
Milusa 40 months ago | reply
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Spectacular Insects-invited images only//Insectos Espectaculares, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Hi, The Spectacular Insects Group's contest of the month is "ANTS". This photo would be great for the contest. Please consider posting it at:
www.flickr.com/groups/spectacular_insects/discuss/7215762...
Milusa 40 months ago | reply
Spectacular Insect Contest Ants, Time to vote!
Please vote for your three (3) favorite photos above. Each vote will count for (1) point. The photo with the most points wins!
VOTE FOR 3 pics!!!
www.flickr.com/groups/spectacular_insects/discuss/7215762...
emjanda 38 months ago | reply
Anoplolepis gracilipes
brandnewidea 31 months ago | reply
The best ants detailed pix I've ever seen. Great, awsome, supper - congrats
Techuser 30 months ago | reply
Good work with the lighting
MaikenVL 12 months ago | reply
Wow - GREAT shot!
lifeat48 4 months ago | reply
absolutely beautiful photo; the lighting, the texture, the shadows....the entire mix is truly amazing!!