FLASH - RIGHT

[FUJI]

OK...Yesterdays Macro hunt was done using a Quad Go-Pro led light cluster...the shots wrre more Arty than detailed.

 

But just look at what can be achieved by using a properly synced/diffused Flash that is bright enough for f8 thereby increasing DOF.

 

I absolutely love this set.

Explanation, they are Greenfly creeping about the unformed bud f a pink Snapdragon flower.

The very tiny orange grub came as a complete surprise, so a bonus shot..

I have really got the hang of manually focusing my tiny ex Cine Camera DIY lens now...a very steady hand is required.

I love the comparison between these and the Kangaroo and Lizard studies from Dee in OZ.

 

1: THE DESCENT   2: THE SUMMIT BEST   3: CHASE ME CHARLIE   4 THE SUMMIT 2   5 ORANGE QUERY

 

FUJI

[Ryewolf]

Another excellent set FUJI, especially 2 and 3.

[Clicker]

I love your boundless enthusiasm Fooj ...and the quality of these show conclusively that it is justified  regarding your DIY   macro lens .... #2 is my favourite...    Well done  sir !

[JohnP]

I think No4 is the best!

[johntwo]

The second one for me FUJ but another nice set all round.  The trouble with flash in most situations is that it tends to hit the highlights a bit hard.  I only seem to use it for fill in but other photographers I know tend to reverse it and use the reflected light from a white card.  Don't know how this is different from a diffuser though.

[FUJI]

Thank you all for the wonderful feedback, it always helps to motivate me to do better.

Ref. Flash diffusion and bright highlights.

When I shot macro with my Heavy Sony camera and 100-2.8 macro lens, about  five years ago, I built myself various flash diffusers from opaque plastic containers, kitchen foil and kitchen paper tissue.....these worked just fine, bearing in mind that the lens and flash-snoot where both circa ten inches long,  and I could focus from a fair distance back.

This DIY set up is totally different the one and a half inch long Cine lens is only half inch internal diameter is so tiny .....with three extension rings it protrudes about three inches.....just a little more than my cheap MEIKE flash.

A tiny sheet of inkjet paper acts as my diffuser, it works really well.....the insects here are naturally shiny so reflect back, bright white scattered highlights that look natural.....this is always a consideration to a macro photographer, colours and textures should be....as in Nature. Focus is from circa 7 cm away.

Because I shoot in RAW  I do need to sharpen using the unshared mask in varying degrees.....I might use layers to adjust tones too.......always a balancing act.

FUJI