Robber Fly
robber fly that looks to me is getting ready to light his pipe
robber fly that looks to me is getting ready to light his pipe
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Jan, 2014Views
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Summer 2020
Peer Award
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Superior Skill
Absolute Masterpiece
Outstanding Creativity
Magnificent Capture
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Behind The Lens
Location
I am a self taught photographer so when I seen this in my back yard I decided to use several different methods to try and capture what I was thought I was seeing. I thought it was a large type of bumble bee.Time
It was early morning I could not sleep as I kept thinking about this thing I had put in a jar the night before. How was I going to get the shot I wanted? I love to use the old manual lens. It is the best way to learn in my own honest opinion. I would have to decide which aperture, shutter speed and ISO on my own as I was just getting my feet wet in photography.Lighting
My pictures kept coming out too dark so I put on the porch light and used some of the early summer sun as a backdrop, that did help but still too dark. I actually used my flash which I had no idea what I was doing so I pointed it up towards the porch ceiling to bounce back which solved the problem.Equipment
I shoot raw so I used a good sturdy tripod, Nikon speedlight SB600, I chose the old Micro-Nikkor Al-S 55mm 2.8 with the PK13 Auto Extension Ring, the ratio can reach 1:1 Life Size (1X). I used my Nikkon D2x camera.Inspiration
I knew this was a unique creature as I had never seen one before, it was huge, it looked like a very large bumble bee. I later discovered it is a Robber Fly which can mimic other insects. I had to take a lot of photo's to get to this one which is one of my favorites although there are others that are better in other photographers opinions. I like this one, it looks like it's holding a pipe and asking for a light.Editing
I use Lightroom 5 for almost all my post processing. I like the ease of the program. I can name my folder, process the photos then save them to a collection for later review and export. I like simple adjustments, lighten the shadows, turn down the highlights, a little clarity, not too much of anything. Just try and bring out what you see and keep it as real as possible. I do not want the camera or software to decide for me.In my camera bag
I still use my Nikon D2x and Nikon lenses but I usually carry my 5D Mark ll with my Tamron 24-70 VC 2.8 along with several old manual lenses. I carry fresh re-chargeable batteries, CF cards, LED light for video if needed and of course two flashes. My Nikon is ready as a backup. Even when I shoot an event I still break out my old manual lenses to take shots I will keep for myself like portraits or macro of the flowers or just wide shots of the surrounding scenery. I go early and stay late just so I can capture what others might miss.Feedback
Be on alert for any new creatures around your yard or garden, this one was trying to get in our patio screen when my son's service dog (doberman) alerted us to an intruder..... I always keep a camera and tripod on the ready when at home. I garden and plant flowers that I know I can experiment with using extension tubes, old baffles, slider rails etc. I love all photography but the Macro world I find so intriguing. So much our eye cannot see our camera and lens can still capture. Use natural lighting and go ahead experiment until you develop your own system that works for you. If your not having fun then stop and come back until you do.
