Igor_Skalceri

Lollypop

2mm bug,, macro, at 1200m, forest

2mm bug,, macro, at 1200m, forest
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Feb, 2019

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Same photographer See all Behind The Lens

Fujifilm X-T1 + Canon FDn Super Photo Macro Bellows Lens, hnad held, focused by camera movement forward-backward. Difficult!

Fujifilm X-T1 + Manual Focus X-Fujinon 135mm f2.8 @f4

Mountains in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Europe

Cat sitting on the outdoor side of window.

VW under old cerade already so cracked and worn that looks like a rock.

Behind The Lens

Location

The photo was taken at 1200m mountain Jahorina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Europe.

Time

It was early morning.

Lighting

I use only a kit flash on Fujifilm X-T1. It was pretty dark forest, I had to play with the settings a bit more than usual.

Equipment

This is a hand held shot, with a 40 yo Canon FD 20mm f3.5 enlarger lens and only a kit-flash. There is no focusing ring on that lens so focusing is performed by camera movement forward-backward. Difficult technique if you want to achieve shots taken at f11 or more with ISO100, but is well worth it since I never had to spend huge amounts of money on lenses, flashes etc.

Inspiration

I do all kind of macro imaging, especially when I am in the forest. The insect itself is some type of tiny fly with head diameter not more than 2mm, it landed on some tiny flower. The insect was so tiny and fast that I thought I will never have a chance to take a photo. So I took only one shot, and the insect flew away. I was lucky enough to have all set properly and with steady hands.

Editing

With this one I think I used HDR effect in Photoshop for pronounced details and colors. The image is only JPEG not RAW so considering that I did not have much room for manipulation without losing quality.

In my camera bag

For modern days of equipment and all automatic stuff and a lot of megapixels I am pretty much behind all that. I carry Fujifilm X-T1 (it is broken at the moment I carry nothing) with 3 types of old manual focus macro lenses inside, depending up to what magnification I want to use. Stock flash, with home made plastic diffuser if needed. Remember, it is not always good to go maximum macro. Macro is not all about going into the maximum of magnification like people tend to think those are better images. No, because framing in macro is as important as when you do portrait shots or any other.

Feedback

I have an advice for people that are on the shorter budget like me, macro is all about discovering the best lens and equipment that suits you. Fortunately many of those lenses are actually old manual focus lenses that you can buy for less money than modern autofocus lenses. Tricks must be applied of course, by using additional rings, or enlarger elements, or using the enlarger lens it self that can make amazing magnifications without loss of quality if you learn your camera and the lens how to operate in best combination. For example the lens I used on this image requires a lot of light, simply that is the design of the lens, yet when I use my other enlarger lens things change. I never read much about macro equipment I simply started buying old cheap macro lenses and discovered those that offer great results by using them. Play with the light, different flashes, different angles, and if insects are one of your favorite subjects then always try to get in front of the bug's eyes, face to face for that extra moment of image quality, because usually we see macro photos of insects taken from above (which is easier and a bit dull than kneeling or laying in the grass trying to catch a good moment so you get a feeling you can get that feeling that the bug is looking at you and posing on purpose). One other thing I would like to mention is that shorter lens focal lengths are more suitable for these kind of images. If you use a tele macro lens it is difficult to come face to face with the insect because of the grass that is in the way etc, and to maintain stability. If you have an Image Stabilisation built into camera body that would make it a lot easier when using manual focus macro lenses, especially tele macro. Pre condition to all of this is that you are not afraid of bugs that can sting :) Sometimes it is needed to sit in grass for some time blend in with the bugs and flowers so that bugs can get used to your presence and not fly away when you come close to their face to take a shot. Always choose morning time, not too early not too late, around 9-10 o clock AM. The bugs are most active on flowers at that time. Lately on internet I see many macro images of bugs in studio, but I would advise you to never freeze in the fridge or kill the bug in order to take a macro photo. They are living creatures too, so if you cannot manage to catch a macro one alive in nature then don't do macro of insects.Practice is everything.

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Igor_Skalceri

Igor_Skalceri

Lollypop

2mm bug,, macro, at 1200m, forest

Behind The Lens

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