Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Photo of the day : October 2013

Puckman said:
I'd be very curious to get a description of your lighting for macro. More specifically how are you lighting your subjects.
I've just started dabbling with macro. I have extension tubes too. And an off camera flash. But so far have not figured out the best way to light stuff for good macro shots.
My only macro keepers so far have come outdoors in nice even natural lighting.
Click to expand...

Apple fanboy said:
Agreed. I never thought I would be untested in macro photography when I started, but it is more interesting than I thought. Can be expensive though. Lenses, tubes and lighting all add up.
Click to expand...

It can be done on the cheap, below is my rig, which is quite cumbersome. The transceivers and speedlites are both Yongnuo brand, which is very cheap and of a surprisingly good quality these days. I know that the YN560 III speedlites have transceivers built into them now and can be gotten for $90 from ebay, working on both Nikon and Canon's. The o-shaped macro rig they are affixed to is only $30 from ebay also. You then need a couple of mini softboxes to help diffuse the light also.

There is a good book on lighting for macro by a husband and wife team:
"Flash techniques for macro and close-up photography" by the Deutschmann's.
It covers all you may need to know for getting started.

The Strobist website also has a lot of good information that can be derived to macro application.

My unwieldily rig:
IMG_0159_zpsa2cd3f7f.jpg


------------------------

Todays picture of another Hoverfly, this time in a small flower getting a feed of nectar.
_MG_6445_zpsc010a1df.jpg
 
Puffins at sunrise:

PHD_6525-L.jpg


I don't know what you call a group of them...a flock, a gaggle? I really have no idea so I'm gonna go with a proliferation of puffins.
 
Puckman said:
I'd be very curious to get a description of your lighting for macro. More specifically how are you lighting your subjects.
I've just started dabbling with macro. I have extension tubes too. And an off camera flash. But so far have not figured out the best way to light stuff for good macro shots.
My only macro keepers so far have come outdoors in nice even natural lighting.
Click to expand...

I'm just starting out really. I just use the built in flash and like you rely on outdoor sunny days so far. I have used my iPhone LED flash to light my subject a few times with mixed success. A ring flash doesn't seem too expensive.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/nikon-ring-flash?_trksid=p2045573.m2388
If you are serious about Macro and can afford it then this is the way to go.
http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-...se-extension&gclid=cpp82r_eurocfrmftaod714ahw
But to be honest I'm getting a 60mm Macro Lens in December and probably try out one of the cheaper LED rings.

To get this thread back on topic (sorry no Macro today).

Trying to bring this dusk shot to life I think I over tweaked the shot a bit. I was only there doing a quick check for another day. Highgate Common in the West Midlands if you are interested. As it was my first time there and the light was failing, I didn't stray too far from the car park. Will go back another time though. Comments always welcome.

----------
ijohn.8.80 said:
It can be done on the cheap, below is my rig, which is quite cumbersome. The transceivers and speedlites are both Yongnuo brand, which is very cheap and of a surprisingly good quality these days. I know that the YN560 III speedlites have transceivers built into them now and can be gotten for $90 from ebay, working on both Nikon and Canon's. The o-shaped macro rig they are affixed to is only $30 from ebay also. You then need a couple of mini softboxes to help diffuse the light also.

There is a good book on lighting for macro by a husband and wife team:
"Flash techniques for macro and close-up photography" by the Deutschmann's.
It covers all you may need to know for getting started.

The Strobist website also has a lot of good information that can be derived to macro application.

My unwieldily rig:
Image

------------------------

Todays picture of another Hoverfly, this time in a small flower getting a feed of nectar.
Image
Click to expand...

No wonder your arms are getting big! I'll have a read up on the Strobist website.
 
ijohn.8.80 said:
It can be done on the cheap, below is my rig, which is quite cumbersome. The transceivers and speedlites are both Yongnuo brand, which is very cheap and of a surprisingly good quality these days. I know that the YN560 III speedlites have transceivers built into them now and can be gotten for $90 from ebay, working on both Nikon and Canon's. The o-shaped macro rig they are affixed to is only $30 from ebay also. You then need a couple of mini softboxes to help diffuse the light also.

There is a good book on lighting for macro by a husband and wife team:
"Flash techniques for macro and close-up photography" by the Deutschmann's.
It covers all you may need to know for getting started.

The Strobist website also has a lot of good information that can be derived to macro application.

My unwieldily rig:
Image

------------------------

Todays picture of another Hoverfly, this time in a small flower getting a feed of nectar.
Image
Click to expand...

I have the same Yongnuo triggers and flash (only one flash unit). Interesting how you've mounted 2 of them on a ring. So I take it your lighting is basically pointing this entire thing at the insect and firing? :)
 
Cheese&Apple said:
Puffins at sunrise:

PHD_6525-L.jpg


I don't know what you call a group of them...a flock, a gaggle? I really have no idea so I'm gonna go with a proliferation of puffins.
Click to expand...

Love the one in the air, there's always one crazy Cannuck in the mob, ey? ;)

----------
Apple fanboy said:
But to be honest I'm getting a 60mm Macro Lens in December and probably try out one of the cheaper LED rings.

----------



No wonder your arms are getting big! I'll have a read up on the Strobist website.
Click to expand...

I suggest not wasting your money on the cheaper LED macro rings, they don't have enough grunt to illuminate properly at all. Been there, done that!

There is however, a Yongnuo ring-light, made with proper flashes in it for a reasonable price!

The arms feel like jelly after an hour of lugging the rig! :eek:

Puckman said:
I have the same Yongnuo triggers and flash (only one flash unit). Interesting how you've mounted 2 of them on a ring. So I take it your lighting is basically pointing this entire thing at the insect and firing? :)
Click to expand...

Basically, yeah. Just with lots of adjustment to the levels for each sides speedlite for each new subject, trying to get realistic looking light.
 
Nice! Another hockey fan.

We finally got ourselves the ONE banner 2 years ago here in LA. LOL. Still hard to compete with the history you got there in Detroit.
 
Not a great photo but the PP I've done to it does funny things to your eyes and makes the branches look almost 3D, so I thought I'd post it to freak other people out too.

10559196014_539f757115_b.jpg
 
Doylem said:
Finding subjects close to home is a really good way to 'fine-tune' our powers of observation, IMO...

Image
Click to expand...

Easy to say when you live in such a beautiful place!

But seriously I'm finding a lot of places near to where I live that I didn't know existed for the last 10 years (how long I've been in the Midlands).
 
My name has changed (legally) from John to Alex

First things first, about 6 weeks ago I changed my name, legally, to Alexander, so will be posting under this profile as of now. I changed my profiles elsewhere on the interweb, but was reticent to do it here because of this being a more conservative place and all. It's a 25 year story in the making, so won't bother sharing the 'why' here. ;)

---------------------------

This picture was taken on a white plastic garden chair, with a single speedlite, mounted on the hotshoe of the camera, with a mini softbox attached.

She was a gorgeous and obliging model, allowing me to get a head on view and to take a few pictures, without getting all upset and taking off.

This kind of reminds me of an inside studio shoot!

I didn't use the extension tubes for this one, so cropped in really tight to get her to fill the frame like this. There is actually no noticeable difference to the DOF without the extension tubes in play! Previous pictures I've taken at f/14 with the tubes on have the same focal fall off to them, just I am a lot closer to the subject! I'll use the extension tubes to get in closer in future.


_MG_6477.jpg by playswithlight, on Flickr
 
Alexander.Of.Oz said:
First things first, about 6 weeks ago I changed my name, legally, to Alexander, so will be posting under this profile as of now. I changed my profiles elsewhere on the interweb, but was reticent to do it here because of this being a more conservative place and all. It's a 25 year story in the making, so won't bother sharing the 'why' here. ;)

---------------------------

This picture was taken on a white plastic garden chair, with a single speedlite, mounted on the hotshoe of the camera, with a mini softbox attached.

She was a gorgeous and obliging model, allowing me to get a head on view and to take a few pictures, without getting all upset and taking off.

This kind of reminds me of an inside studio shoot!

I didn't use the extension tubes for this one, so cropped in really tight to get her to fill the frame like this. There is actually no noticeable difference to the DOF without the extension tubes in play! Previous pictures I've taken at f/14 with the tubes on have the same focal fall off to them, just I am a lot closer to the subject! I'll use the extension tubes to get in closer in future.


_MG_6477.jpg by playswithlight, on Flickr
Click to expand...

Welcome back Alex... Great re-entry.
 
Alexander.Of.Oz said:
First things first, about 6 weeks ago I changed my name, legally, to Alexander, so will be posting under this profile as of now. I changed my profiles elsewhere on the interweb, but was reticent to do it here because of this being a more conservative place and all. It's a 25 year story in the making, so won't bother sharing the 'why' here. ;)

---------------------------

This picture was taken on a white plastic garden chair, with a single speedlite, mounted on the hotshoe of the camera, with a mini softbox attached.

She was a gorgeous and obliging model, allowing me to get a head on view and to take a few pictures, without getting all upset and taking off.

This kind of reminds me of an inside studio shoot!

I didn't use the extension tubes for this one, so cropped in really tight to get her to fill the frame like this. There is actually no noticeable difference to the DOF without the extension tubes in play! Previous pictures I've taken at f/14 with the tubes on have the same focal fall off to them, just I am a lot closer to the subject! I'll use the extension tubes to get in closer in future.

[url=http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3673/10550194405_154d2b1c55_c.jpg]Image[/url]
_MG_6477.jpg by playswithlight, on Flickr
Click to expand...

So how close are you for this one? I'm thinking the white base is actually fly paper!

On the whole John/Alexandra thing, I wasn't actually christened Apple fanboy either! Feel free to share (cause I'm nosey!)

----------
The Bad Guy said:
Some beautiful nature shots in this thread, simply lovely.

Me? Yeah…I don't tend to shoot that kinda stuff. :)

[url=http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7451/10509905643_ff047e879c_b.jpg]Image[/url]
Linda's Ladder by Adam_Campbell, on Flickr
Click to expand...

I don't know. I think there are some beautiful nature shots on your Flickr!

----------

Here's mine for today. I liked the blue that went from dark to light as the sun was starting to go down in this one. I liked the look of the shot in B & W, but missed the blue sky so changed it back. Comments always welcome.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back