Friday 29 June 2012

More extreme macro insect pictures

Here are some more extreme macro pics using the 55 to 200 mm zoom lens/ reversed 50mm primes lens, combo. These where all taken in my garden. The beetle pic is a focus stacked image to ensure all around sharpness. Taking extreme macro pics of tiny ants is very challenging because they don't stay still for very long and the depth of field at great magnification is so small. I love the challenge... Enjoy...

Ants communicating using their feelers

Even the tiniest of ants are perfect in eery detail

I wonder who painted those spots on this beetle?

Compound eyes all the better to see you with


I love the compound eyes and iridescent wings on this tiny midge


Friday 22 June 2012

Itopia Interactive portrait shoot

I did a corporate photo shoot for Itopia Interactive last week which was a lot of fun. This is a very vibrant, fun and creative company based in Rondebosch specializing in creating awesome, easy to use websites. My brief was to shoot portrait shots of the employees that could be used on their website and for print. I was also tasked with capturing the work environment in a natural, creative way. I took my portable 3 meter wide white background on stands, Speedlight mounted on a light stand with shoot-through umbrella, some Video LED lights for fill light, 2 large reflectors and my trusty Nikon. I shot in RAW and used a grey card to get the white balance spot on. Their website is http://www.itopia.co.za/

To book a corporate shoot contact us at sgmproductions@gmail.com

























Wednesday 20 June 2012

Extreme macro pics of ants

I love macro photography. The beauty of creation is evident in the minutest of creatures. Every one no matter how tiny, is perfect in every detail. I took these pics of ants today at home. They are less than half the size of a grain of rice....

I used a 55 to 200 mm Nikon lens at 200mm with a 50mm lens reversed on the front to gain the magnification. I also used a Nikon SB 700 flash and highly modified soft box defuser to provide enough light. I took the pics at an aperture of F25 to F32 to get as much of the insect in focus as possible.... The flash was set at 1/4 power and I shot in RAW. Shutter speed was 100 to 160 and ISO 200. Enjoy....