My Beginning in the Studio Macro World

[anvancy]

After drooling over the images posted on this sub-forum, I finally decided to get my hands on the wemacro rail. I will post my beginner review of the rail after I spend some time with it.

This is the first test image that I came up with. Nowhere close to the quality posted here but its a beginning. During editing I have noted my mistakes and will implement the changes in my next shoot. As always suggestions/tips/tricks are always appreciated.

This male ant died naturally when I spotted it outside of my front door. I have glued the ant with standard stationary glue on a normal stationary pin.(I dont have readymade access to ento pins). Pin is pierced on a clay-ball and the ball is attached on the alligator clip supplied by wemacro.

I am lighting the ant with two Janso LEDs diffused with small softboxes.

I still have questions as to how to glue the specimens but the glue should not be visible in the photo. As you can see in my photo, the blob of glue is clearly visible. I will have to spend time researching on positioning of insects.

Canon 80D
85 Shots
25um
5x magnification.



Thanks

Anvancy

[Deanimator]

That's excellent.

I had no idea those Jansjo lights were THAT bright, especially with diffusers.

I'd really like to hear how you like the We-macro, especially regarding ease of use.

[anvancy]

That's excellent.

I had no idea those Jansjo lights were THAT bright, especially with diffusers.

I'd really like to hear how you like the We-macro, especially regarding ease of use.

Thank you.

At close range for beginner usage they are bright. The problem happens as you decide which diffusers to add. When I was doing other test shots, my food tub diffuser was kind of eating light. So I put these softboxes to do another test.

https://www.movophoto.com/products/movo ... -size-mini



While they dont fit stiff, they are small enough to diffuse the light. I am also thinking of using ping pong balls to diffuse the light. Ofcourse nothing can beat a tunnel diffuser which I started off with. Have to re-design my tunnel.

I will surely write down a simple review of the wemacro. They have changed the software and the start to end feature is now a joy to use.

[anvancy]

Here are some setup shots.






Complete mess because of mess restrictions. Planning to make a dedicated table for studio stacks.

[anvancy]

Here is the next test photo.

The scutellum (hope the notation is correct) of a brown marmorated stink bug.



65um
33 shots.
2x IKEA Jansos.

3x magnification.

[Sharks]

Very good shot

[anvancy]

Very good shot

Thanks Sharks.

[Olympusman]

Very nice start. Looks like you picked up a lot of expertise from our group.

Mike

[anvancy]

Very nice start. Looks like you picked up a lot of expertise from our group.

Mike

Thank you Mike. Please do give suggestions if something has went wrong.

Yes, before I stepped into the studio world I was reading the priceless info present here.(lot which went over my head). My rig is nowhere close to the advanced rigs and stages present here. Here in India studio macro as mainstream medium of photography is virtually non existent. Many put out the "ethics" "in situ" statements if I go on the studio path. But the sheer level of detail, the effort required to present the beauty, the use of creativity, options are limitless.

I keep my eyes open for natural dead subjects. Bring them home and follow Johan's (extreme macro website) methods to revive them. Still my experience is at its infancy so there is lot to learn.

Rik, Chris, Beatsy, and special mention to Sharks have been super helpful in answering my queries and pointing out to the right direction.

For now I am restricted to weekends as have full day office in weekdays. Always eager to setup the rail and try something new.

[anvancy]

Here is the next test shot.



Sharks has already pointed out how to improvise the lighting.

The leg which is out of focus should have been kept away from the composition.

Notes and more notes. To implement them in the next series.

2.5x( I think) - 82um - 57 shots.