Macro with BR 2A - Insects

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I was requested by friends and siblings to photograph insects or other crawlers. Taking pictures of ants was quite difficult and tiring. First, I had to get the right distance, then to locate the moving subject through the lens or wait until it found something to make it stayed stationary. Then the focusing part by moving the camera forward and backward hoping for no shake when squeezing the button. The exposure had to be set manually but it did not matter much as I could adjust it with thw RAW editor tool.

I found the ants in my garden yesterday morning. I had to be early before the morning breeze got stronger.

The white wall will definitely confuses light meters

As I was searching for tiny flowers 2 days ago, I came upon a few insects. The moths were more cooperative than the active ants.

The picture above was taken at a nearby stream. It was difficult to get nearer and I had to focus at 60mm causing the flower buds to be clearly visible. Opening the aperture wider? The DOF will drop drastically causing part of the moth blurred unless they were in the same plane.

Still at the stream with a different moth. This time, there was no wind.

Limiting factors to be considered beside the equipments:

1. A moving subject
2. Wind
3. Lighting
4. Terrain

Hope Sarah (Mynn) can appreciate the insects.

UPDATE

Above was taken on my first day using BR2A with Nikon50mm F1.8. Notice the narrow DOF.

The above was taken at my mini A&E Studio using a mobile surgical lamp, a black pierre cardin wallet box(gift from KKL, thanks a million) and a white pateint folder as a reflector.

I edited using Nikon editor alone, decreasing the exposure value to correct the overexposed area from the light source, increasing the contrast, decreasing the brightness(ensuring I could still see year 1976), correcting the color balance by adding blue, decreasing red and green. It is not that good but it will do by not having photoshop(office) and with limited knowledge.
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ED Mini Studio

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Some weed flower

The above at 100%

As it was a bit calm yesterday evening, i just went for a brief walk around the hospital compound with 'my assistant'. "Yang ni ok, lawa bunganya."

Another weed flower

I tried a few shots but failed since it was windy. "Kita petik dan bawa balik. Mana tau cahaya di bilik mencukupi." I told 'my assistant.

Some more weed flower

I saw a few insects and managed to get a few snaps of the uncooperative creatures..

Grass flower

I just got an idea after reaching my department. Hmm... why not use the mobile surgical lights to illuminate my subjects. Ihave the flowers, leaves for the background. The lamp was on the right. No reflectors used, maybe next time.

Equipment:

1. A D50 body

2. Nikon35-70mm F3.3

3. BR 2A reverse ring

4. Mobile surgical lamp

5. Flowers ranging from tiny to medium button size

Maybe this will answer a friend who asked for tips on using flash indoors. I dont have any external flashgun at the moment and not in my list if I have an extra cash. My priority will be a macro lens, Tamron SP90 maybe. As mentioned above is my indoor lightings(dont forget the reflectors and screens/cloth for background).
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Bunga rumpai lagi
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More on Macro

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I need to answer mama sarah's questions. Maybe she will rush to the online shopping and get mynn a reverse ring or some extension tubes to be used with the 50mm prime.

The forgotten daun mempelam kering di halaman rumah

I am still in macro mode/mood. After viewing the second and third photo, a colleague asked me, "Bila pergi scuba?". I laughed and answered.

"Tumbuhan di halaman rumah je."

Apa benda pulak ni=Bunga 'pokok pagar', hedge at our house

Huh=Bunga rumput liar di halaman rumah

The art work was simple, i just darkened them with levels(nak kata artwork pun segan sebab simple sangat...hehehe).

Another weed at our lawn

Still from our lawn

Lawn kami penuh dengan rumpai nampaknya

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Lagi satu dari halaman

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For the last 4 images, I use Nikon Editor to convert from RAW to JPEGwith contrast, exposure and sharpening adjustment.

The images are a bit blur because of 3 reasons;

1. No macro lens, just a reverse ring - limited budget
2. Hand held - I dont have any tripod, loaned to momad
3. Breeze - our lawn is a bit windy, breeze from South China Sea.

I thank God for giving me a pair of steady hands and guide me with newly found techniques to minize hand shake.
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I Love Macro and this Cheapo Picasa

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Just a flower. Bunga apa ye?

Just trying out my BR 2A with the 35-70 mm lens, converted to JPEG with Nikon Editor and touchup with Picasa, a free programme from Google. These are the end product.

Apa ni?

Both shots were taken during my off hours at the hospital today.

Ok juga program percuma ni

I am now at home. My off day. Just got back from our morning stroll at the beach. Here are some of the shots taken today.

A simple composition

The forgotten

Apa benda pulak ni

Huh?

I just love my newly found macro techniques and alterations that can be made. Seronok betul.
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