Sabertooth Bee

jotafoto · Post by **jotafoto** » Sat Nov 27, 2010 11:29 pm

Some time ago, I do not upload anything to the forum, I follow though with difficulty by the language. So I post little.
This picture is 120 shots with the 21mm JML (Thanks morfa, if not for you, I do not get to know).
I wanted to throw a question, to comment on the method you use to hold the insects. In this case I've been holding her legs with a human hair, so it does not should be closed. Should have made a photo montage, but did not think in this moment.
I'm interested in methods to fix insects without damaging if possible.

regards

Javier Replinger.

Large format

http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/6551 ... daalce.jpg

rjlittlefield · Post by **rjlittlefield** » Sat Nov 27, 2010 11:37 pm

Wow! A striking image in all respects. Great capture of even the feathered hairs, in the large version.

--Rik

Craig Gerard · Post by **Craig Gerard** » Sun Nov 28, 2010 12:01 am

Javier,

Outstanding!

Stunning detail and lighting

Javier wrote: I wanted to throw a question, to comment on the method you use to hold the insects.....I'm interested in methods to fix insects without damaging if possible.

Anyone care to share some wisdom in response to Javier's question?

I think the method used for holding the bee in this image is a good one Javier.

Craig

rjlittlefield · Post by **rjlittlefield** » Sun Nov 28, 2010 12:37 am

I have used dental floss, in the same way that I think Javier is using hair.

See HERE for illustration.

Obviously in that case I had destructively mounted the leg by pinning its base, but still I needed to change the leg's position without further damaging it.

The only other technique I know is to use water-soluble glue.

--Rik

Tomatito · Post by **Tomatito** » Sun Nov 28, 2010 4:55 am

~thats interesting photo Javier.. I was always wondering about these things like a positioning insect before stacking...great colours

Eddy Clerx · Post by **Eddy Clerx** » Sun Nov 28, 2010 6:08 am

Don't worry about your englisch, please post more. This is beautitful, and your techniques are obvious informative.

jotafoto · Post by **jotafoto** » Sun Nov 28, 2010 2:45 pm

Thanks, Rik, Craig, Tomatito, Eddy.
The issue of dental floss had not thought, but I think it's finest human hair. It is a problem that worries me a lot. A photo is good, or is just another picture depends by 70% of the position of the specimen and as illuminate. And it is not possible to illuminate, if not to hold the sample so that we can wrap the specimen with a reflector. This photo in particular, has major complication that would not puncture the bee with a pin, and could not support the flower without falling from its position.
I thought of myself several racks, with different measures, to hold the insects for six or eight feet, and leave the insect in the air. I don't know if I explain well. I will put photos next time, when I do.

Greetings.

Javier Replinger.

rjlittlefield · Post by **rjlittlefield** » Sun Nov 28, 2010 6:22 pm

jotafoto wrote:The issue of dental floss had not thought, but I think it's finest human hair.

No doubt it varies depending on the floss and the hair. In the floss that I used, individual strands were about 20 microns (my measurement) , versus 17 to 180 microns for hair (Internet sources). The floss fibers were clearly finer than all the hair that I personally had access to (direct comparison at 45X).

I will be very interested to see your racks. I have always found it tedious to prepare small subjects to photograph.

--Rik

jgknight · Post by **jgknight** » Sun Nov 28, 2010 10:31 pm

A beautiful photograph in every respect. Superb!

jotafoto · Post by **jotafoto** » Wed Dec 01, 2010 6:09 am

Thanks jgknight, I'm glad like you.

rjlittlefield wrote:
jotafoto wrote:The issue of dental floss had not thought, but I think it's finest human hair.
No doubt it varies depending on the floss and the hair. In the floss that I used, individual strands were about 20 microns (my measurement) , versus 17 to 180 microns for hair (Internet sources). The floss fibers were clearly finer than all the hair that I personally had access to (direct comparison at 45X).

I will be very interested to see your racks. I have always found it tedious to prepare small subjects to photograph.

--Rik

Rik interesting information. I doubt not even sure that the silk thread can be much thinner, but consists of many strands, compared to the unique structure of human hair. A hair is easier to manipulate, I think.

On the racks, I'm thinking of a system with mini tweezers to grasp the insect for each leg. I will put pictures of inventions,

Greetings.

Javier Replinger