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Macro Photography Technique Discussions on Macro Photography

How do people get so close to insects

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  #11  
Old 26-12-05, 09:18
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Gidders Gidders is offline  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by windyridge50
I once stalked a green hairstreak for over 5 hours and still didn't get a shot.
That's serious dedication
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  #12  
Old 10-01-06, 19:11
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Early morning or late evening as it's getting cooler can help - some insects rely on the warmth of the sun they are therefore less active at the begninning or end of the day. Obviously the point about casting shadows become more prominent at these times of the day.

One other piece of advice I would suggest is be careful where you sit and wait - last summer whilst capturing some close ups of grasshoppers I inadvertantly sat on an ants nest, I didn't notice at the time, being engrossed in the photography, I assumed the grass I was stting on was prickly - it wasn't until I stood up and started to walk away... I was wearing shorts at the time I hasten to add!
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  #13  
Old 05-03-06, 13:18
ruchai ruchai is offline  
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http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/...8Moth_7651.jpg

No butterfly or moth will fly forever, wait until they rest. Early morning or just before dark or even at night most of them will rest. This moth was taken with Nikkor 60mm macro. It was not 1:1 as the ccd is smaller than the moth, but it filled the frame.
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  #14  
Old 10-11-06, 20:07
Alex Paul Alex Paul is offline  
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Make every move slowly and try to avoid eye contact when possible... I usually spot them out of the corner of my eye and then slowly bring the camera up and slowly inch the camera lens towards them with eye to the viewfinder hiding my face as much as possible....Sounds corny but my rate of success with close ups doing this has been very good. Move slowly and be patient.. Remove jewelry including watch from your wrist that flashes. If you spot a patch of bushes or grass that has a number of insects buzzing around it, sit down be still and wait for them to return to the area or come out of hiding.....When something is in range move slowly in a non threatening way... Here are two examples of the results of this strategy..
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...ppersetc-1.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...de10060862.jpg
Take care and have fun.....Alex
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I know they are soft, I know they are out of focus, I know they lack contrast, I know my sensor needs to be cleaned, I know they are noisey, I know I should crop a little off the left side, I know I should find another hobby, but other than that how do you like them??..
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Last edited by Alex Paul; 10-11-06 at 20:12.
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  #15  
Old 12-11-06, 20:14
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Wow. They are some amasing examples there. Ive always had this question at the back of my mind and kept on meaning to ask but never did. Now if only i had a decant macro lens i would give it a go.
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  #16  
Old 12-11-06, 21:03
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There are a number of methods you can use. Plant lots of nectar rich flowers, Nicotiana, Valerian, Sedums etc these attract lots of different insects, hover flies, Bees wasps, moths and butterflies.

Also you can use a sugar solution to attract certain species and placed unobtrusively near flowers is'nt too obvious.

Watch a particular clump of flowers which are really attarctive and set your camera up on a tripod pre focused, with all your settings in advance. Use your remote control to fire the shutter when the insects visit, this way any movement does'nt scare the blighters away. I get a a good hit rate this way.

With Moths try breeding some of the commoner species, Puss moth, Buff Tip, etc. The British Hawk Moths are particularly rewarding and very spectacular in all their stages. The Imago's are brilliant and will stay put, putting up with lots of moving around if you want a good angle.

Most important element though and you need it in abundance is patience!!

Remember all insects are living things however you may feel about some species,( I have an overiding fear of Earwigs) and they should never be put in the fridge, kept in boxes indoors under stress etc.

Good hunting.

Nogbad
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  #17  
Old 12-11-06, 21:33
Alex Paul Alex Paul is offline  
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Thanks Ollie on my part.... There are some terrific suggestions going on in this thread.... I will put a few of these not thought of practices in action as well.... Thanks to all of you.....Alex
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I know they are soft, I know they are out of focus, I know they lack contrast, I know my sensor needs to be cleaned, I know they are noisey, I know I should crop a little off the left side, I know I should find another hobby, but other than that how do you like them??..
Gear: Yes
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  #18  
Old 13-11-06, 00:56
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This thread is a great example of why this forums good. Someone posts a simple question and we get so much helpfull advice and insparation. Certainly i would like to give it a go when i can get a good macro lens.
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  #19  
Old 13-11-06, 10:36
Chris
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Vicky, you never said what type of camera you have and don't seem to have posted anything for us to find out, but in case you do not have all the DSLR lenses, can assure you that with the hints about how and when and a little patience, you can get very close to some insects some of the time.

With close up rings on a compact close up can be 10-25mm. Admittedly I am more usually after flowers including very small wild ones, but 80% turn out to have an insect in/on as a bonus.
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  #20  
Old 23-11-06, 14:40
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Shadow casting normally spooks them but you can get pretty close. I use a Raynox DCR-250 on a FZ30 and work within a few inches. I gave up on a tripod as its too cumbersome, a monopod is less so but still an encumberance.

http://static.flickr.com/59/228646739_d82c05ebfe.jpg
Full size:
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne...57594065969179

http://static.flickr.com/59/227543214_9c3fb1f9fd.jpg
Full size:
http://static.flickr.com/59/227543214_9c3fb1f9fd_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/69/218699057_b65578f927.jpg
Larger:
http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne...57594242330497

Mostly I find that they'll accept your presence and you can spend several minutes moving around most insects photographing from different angles. The main trick is to find your target species.
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