View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
tevans9129
Joined: 30 Nov 2017 Posts: 129 Location: TN
|
Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2018 6:53 pm Post subject: Trying out the Nikon Achromatic 10x |
|
|
I have no idea what this critter is, it is approximately 1.5mm wide and perhaps 25-30mm long with "pinchers" on the end. Background and lighting needs work, other suggestions appreciated.
D800e, pn11, pb6 closed, 9.5x, Nikon Achromatic 10x, 1/3, ISO 125, 200 slices @ 8 microns, Controlmynikon, Stackshot, Zerene, 2 studio 300ii lights 1/8, double Styrofoam cups for diffusion.
Flickr. https://www.flickr.com/photos/bearevans/
Last edited by tevans9129 on Tue Jan 30, 2018 2:20 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
rjlittlefield Site Admin

Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 19543 Location: Richland, Washington State, USA
|
Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2018 7:26 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Interesting critter! Seems like the shape of the mouthparts should be distinctive, but I do not recognize them.
Well photographed -- looks like you have good control of your illumination and stacking now.
Any chance of showing us a whole-body shot, just to help with the ID?
--Rik |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
mawyatt

Joined: 22 Aug 2013 Posts: 1800 Location: Clearwater
|
Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2018 7:48 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Great shot, nice detail & lighting. Looks like the styrofoam cup diffusers with the AC 300II strobes are working well
That could be the leading monster in a sci fi movie, that is one scary critter
Best, _________________ Research is like a treasure hunt, you don't know where to look or what you'll find!
~Mike |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
leonardturner
Joined: 14 Mar 2013 Posts: 468 Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
|
Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2018 5:40 am Post subject: |
|
|
Impressive, all around. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Olympusman
Joined: 15 Jan 2012 Posts: 3960
|
Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2018 9:00 am Post subject: Critter |
|
|
Looks like a mite.
Mike _________________ Michael Reese Much FRMS EMS Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
rjlittlefield Site Admin

Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 19543 Location: Richland, Washington State, USA
|
Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2018 9:41 am Post subject: Re: Critter |
|
|
Olympusman wrote: | Looks like a mite. |
That was my first impression too, but it's not consistent with Ted's description of "approximately 1.5mm wide and perhaps 25-30mm long with "pinchers" on the end."
--Rik
Edit: correct typo in name
Last edited by rjlittlefield on Mon Jan 29, 2018 5:48 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Dalantech
Joined: 03 Aug 2008 Posts: 401
|
Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2018 11:21 am Post subject: |
|
|
Actually I think that the dual light setup gave you some nice shadows and kept the critter from looking flat -a big problem with most stacks. Looks like you had a key light at the top and a fill to camera left. Might try getting the fill a little higher next time (if possible). Look for a way to deepen the shadows to camera right (opposite the fill). Diffusion looks good -looks like you brought out a lot of texture detail, and it's easy to lose if the light isn't diffused well. _________________ My Gallery
My Blog
Macro Tutorials |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Saul

Joined: 31 Jan 2011 Posts: 1290 Location: Naperville, IL USA
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
tevans9129
Joined: 30 Nov 2017 Posts: 129 Location: TN
|
Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2018 5:49 pm Post subject: |
|
|
rjlittlefield wrote: | Interesting critter! Seems like the shape of the mouthparts should be distinctive, but I do not recognize them.
Well photographed -- looks like you have good control of your illumination and stacking now.
Any chance of showing us a whole-body shot, just to help with the ID?
--Rik |
It seems to be getting better but I have a long way to go. As of now, my concentration is on the more technical aspects. Here is a 1:1 view of the critter taken with a Nikon 105 f/2.8 with pn11. Only tried to get an image that shows the critter.
 |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
rjlittlefield Site Admin

Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 19543 Location: Richland, Washington State, USA
|
Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2018 5:51 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks for the image.
Looks to me like Saul has the ID nailed. An interesting thing about these beetle larvae is that the sharp point on the tail are actually fixed in place, not capable of pinching despite their appearance. Surely they have some use, but I have no clue what it is.
--Rik
Last edited by rjlittlefield on Mon Jan 29, 2018 5:53 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
tevans9129
Joined: 30 Nov 2017 Posts: 129 Location: TN
|
Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2018 5:51 pm Post subject: |
|
|
mawyatt wrote: | Great shot, nice detail & lighting. Looks like the styrofoam cup diffusers with the AC 300II strobes are working well
That could be the leading monster in a sci fi movie, that is one scary critter
Best, |
Thanks Mike, I am thankful that it is not the size of a gorilla. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
tevans9129
Joined: 30 Nov 2017 Posts: 129 Location: TN
|
Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2018 5:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Dalantech wrote: | Actually I think that the dual light setup gave you some nice shadows and kept the critter from looking flat -a big problem with most stacks. Looks like you had a key light at the top and a fill to camera left. Might try getting the fill a little higher next time (if possible). Look for a way to deepen the shadows to camera right (opposite the fill). Diffusion looks good -looks like you brought out a lot of texture detail, and it's easy to lose if the light isn't diffused well. |
You are correct about the two lights and their placement and thanks for the recommendation, I will try that on my next attempt. I appreciate all suggestions that will improve my images. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Troels

Joined: 15 Feb 2016 Posts: 404 Location: Denmark, Engesvang
|
Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2018 1:33 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Elongated form, absense of big eyes, chisel-like jaws, all adaptations to a living in narrow, dark tubes. Tubes in wood would be my first guess.
In vertical tubes is is a nice thing to be able to lock yourself in a fixed position without using all your leg muscles. Twoo big spines on the tail could solve that problem. Perhaps they could also act as kind of defence against small predators from behind.
[edit jan 31.: corrected spelling error] _________________ Troels Holm, biologist (retired), environmentalist, amateur photographer.
Visit my Flickr albums
Last edited by Troels on Wed Jan 31, 2018 3:58 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
BugEZ
Joined: 26 Mar 2011 Posts: 734 Location: Loves Park Illinois
|
Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2018 3:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Urogomphi appears to be the proper name for the rear horns. I did not find any discussion on-line about their function but suspect Troels idea of them providing a brace to resist sliding backward is correct.
Keith _________________ Aloha |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
rjlittlefield Site Admin

Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 19543 Location: Richland, Washington State, USA
|
Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2018 8:16 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Troels wrote: | In vertical tubes is is a nice thing to be able to lock yourself in a fixed position without using all your leg muscles. |
Good point, particularly for a wood eater which I presume needs to press its mandibles against the wood to get a decent bite.
--Rik |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
|