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View Full Version : Today's damsels and dragon

Dalantech
Jul-08-2006, 09:41 AM
I've been experimenting with using a little flash for fill when shooting in aperture and shutter priority because I like how it really brings out the detail in the critters that I shoot. But unfortunately damselflies are extremely reflective and I kept blowing them out. Today I cut up a Lumiquest mini softbox that I had and used the strips to make a diffuser for my MT-24. It looks like crap, but I think it worked...

Lots of wind today so I kept the camera in shutter priority 1/250 of a second. Camera set to -1 exposure bias, and an MT-24 flash set to -2 with the "B" flash disabled. Minimal post processing and no cropping. C&C always welcome!

http://dalantech.smugmug.com/photos/80313297-M.jpg

http://dalantech.smugmug.com/photos/80315108-M.jpg


I removed some distracting objects in the background on this next image.

http://dalantech.smugmug.com/photos/80316559-M.jpg

http://dalantech.smugmug.com/photos/80317156-M.jpg

http://dalantech.smugmug.com/photos/80321065-M.jpg

And this is a female Violet Darter -the first one I've been close enough to photograph!

http://dalantech.smugmug.com/photos/80320752-M.jpg

Hope you like them :):
Awais Yaqub
Jul-08-2006, 12:08 PM
These are nice and informative :D
Dalantech
Jul-08-2006, 12:11 PM
These are nice and informative :D

Thanks Awais! :):
Lord Vetinari
Jul-08-2006, 10:36 PM
Looks like the diffusers are working well :)
Brian V.
Dalantech
Jul-08-2006, 10:45 PM
Looks like the diffusers are working well :)
Brian V.

Now I'd like to find a set of Sto-Fens, but I can't seem to find anyone who will ship to a military address. I'll have to try Ebay :huh
Skippy
Jul-09-2006, 01:36 AM
I've been experimenting with using a little flash for fill when shooting in aperture and shutter priority because I like how it really brings out the detail in the critters that I shoot.
Hope you like them :):

Hi there Dalantech......... those Damzels are such dainty little things aren't they, and as you said they are quite reflective when you use a flash on them, I tried to get a few while I was on the Post ShootOut in May.

Haven't really had much of a look at them, but I don't think I was all that successful at capturing one the way I really would have liked to.

Nice series you've shown us here.......... Skippy (Australia)
Dalantech
Jul-09-2006, 02:42 AM
Hi there Dalantech......... those Damzels are such dainty little things aren't they, and as you said they are quite reflective when you use a flash on them, I tried to get a few while I was on the Post ShootOut in May.

Haven't really had much of a look at them, but I don't think I was all that successful at capturing one the way I really would have liked to.

Nice series you've shown us here.......... Skippy (Australia)

Very difficult to shoot since their eyes stick out very far from their bodies -and at the distance that I like to shoot them the depth of field is very small even at F11. Add to that the reflectivity of their body and they are really tough to shoot...