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Beetle



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15 Comments | Report
AlanJakarta
 
AlanJakarta January 24, 2015
Great macro. Congratulations on being Featured.
garyrhook
garyrhook January 24, 2015
Thank you!
Barniegoog
 
Barniegoog January 24, 2015
Stunning macro, great work.
garyrhook
garyrhook January 24, 2015
Thank you!
debhall Platinum
 
debhall January 24, 2015
Awesome macro...congrats on your feature!
garyrhook
garyrhook January 24, 2015
Thank you!
chuckrickman
 
chuckrickman January 24, 2015
Up close and personal. Great job. Congrats on being featured.
iceman2
 
iceman2 January 24, 2015
Beautiful macro capture.Congrats!
RhondaMcD
 
RhondaMcD January 24, 2015
Stunning macro. Congratulations.
gondmagdi Premium
 
gondmagdi January 24, 2015
stunning close up, congratulations !
garyrhook
garyrhook January 24, 2015
Thank you!
sydneyosbourne
 
sydneyosbourne February 11, 2015
Kudos!
garyrhook
garyrhook February 12, 2015
Thanks!
Bluejay45
 
Bluejay45 April 07, 2015
......and it's a 7 spot too!
garyrhook
garyrhook April 07, 2015
:-)
stone12
 
stone12 May 08, 2015
Lovely shot, and the felcro on the feet evident too, lovely creature, regards.
TPOfficial
 
TPOfficial May 22, 2015
Amazing shot! Love it!!
AliAlzuhair
 
AliAlzuhair July 04, 2015
Nice!
aprilwardscales
 
aprilwardscales July 22, 2015
Beautiful, sharp shot. What lens are u using?
garyrhook
garyrhook July 22, 2015
Thank you! This was taken with a Nikon 105mm macro using tubes.
snowdon PRO
 
snowdon July 30, 2015
Great result .... Finalist Win in Cool Up Close Photos competition
BenjaminBande
 
BenjaminBande August 03, 2015
Hi Neezy, cool shot! Welcome aboard VB.
See all

Behind The Lens

Location

This is an example of finding interesting things in the backyard. I live in central Texas, where the growing season is March to May. I have to get out in the spring if I'm going to enjoy growing things and decent weather. This little guy (girl?) was on a daylily leaf next to my patio.

Time

This image was captured mid-afternoon while trying out some new tubes with my macro lens.

Lighting

This would have been a somewhat cloudy day, as I'm not fond of direct, mid-afternoon Texas sunlight. So no need for a reflector or shade, or speedlite. Cloudy days are the best! Diffuse light, and less chance for sunburns.

Equipment

Nikon D5100, 105mm macro, extension tubes, handheld. No flash, no tripod. Just worked the manual focus on the lens and slowly moved around taking photos of this beetle. Fortunately, lady bugs (ladybirds) aren't bothered by humans, so it didn't try to run away, even while it didn't stay still.

Inspiration

Primarily wanted to try out my new tubes, so I went outside and immediately spotted this against the green. A perfect subject, so the trick was to move into a position that provided an interesting perspective, then get something in focus (because the DoF was extremely shallow).

Editing

I've revisited this image a few times, as it's one of my favorite insect photos. I use LR for primary processing, but nothing unusual here. I did push the sharpening a bit further than I normally might, as I wanted the in-focus parts to really draw the eye. Also, the angle and framing are as-taken, which I think adds to the composition; I don't know that I would have been this creative on my own. Finally, I left things alone and relied on the color scheme and bokeh to do their part. I don't think I used Photoshop at all for this version, as I don't think it was needed.

In my camera bag

Typically, my trusty Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 lens, a Velvet 85 (portrait, macro, and odd), perhaps a longer lens like a 70-200 or a 135, along with my D850. I'll add other things depending upon what I'm doing and what I think I might need. My carry-around bag has a D750, a 35mm, and either my 24-120 or my 135. I don't keep a speedlite handy (I rarely use one), and tripods are special, intentional equipment most of the time.

Feedback

Tubes are a great way to expand the function of a lens, and they're not expensive. They can be used on almost any lens (I've used mine on my 70-200) therefore perfect for experimentation, and taking that close-up view of the world. Then go find a garden and take the time to really explore. Bugs and growing things are loads of fun, and a never-ending source of opportunity.

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