Menacing mandibles
A dormant wasp
A dormant wasp
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Feb, 2014Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
This image was taken in my garden in the town of Moffat in Dumfriesshire, Scotland in 2011, so some time ago.Time
Mid afternoon, just after 3pm GMT. Although the sun was bright, the plant on which the insect sits was located in a semi-shaded position in the garden so harsh sunlight wasn't an issue.Lighting
As I recall it was a fairly bright, sunny day and therefore natural light was more than sufficient, fortunately without being too harsh.Equipment
I used a Canon EOS 450D and a Sigma 150mm f/2.8 EX IF HSM Macro lens and a Veldon DF60 Aluminium tripod.Inspiration
I enjoy Macro photography and this wasp was clearly enjoying its day in the sun, moving very little. I watched him for a good five minutes before I decided to grab the camera. I had fully expected him to have flown by the time I returned but, no, there he sat!Editing
I try to keep post-processing to a minimum, and I think the only thing I did was to add a 3pxl High Pass filter in PSE 12.In my camera bag
Shortly after taking that picture I upgraded to a Canon EOS 70D which is still my main DSLR. I also have a Fujifilm X-S1 bridge camera and a Canon SX720 HS Powershot, used mainly for point & shoot. Besides the Sigma 150mm f/2.8 EX IF HSM Macro lens, I also use a Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Lens as a general purpose lens, and of course the Velbon Tripod as necessary.Feedback
A co-operative subject always helps! A macro lens of course is ideal, but a much cheaper option is a Reversing Ring, which will allow you to reverse-attach any lens with a matching thread size to your camera body. Another option of course would be a set of extension tubes. Unless you are able to mount the camera on a wall or similar solid foundation, a tripod or monopod is more or less essential for macro work as the camera needs to be rock-steady if you are to avoid a blurred image.
