Bubbleblower

puzzledpaul · Post by **puzzledpaul** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 9:37 am

Usual gig, just sitting there minding its own business, blowing bubbles ... then sucking them back in.

10D + 200FD macro + extn tubes
1/25, iso 400, aperture unrecorded
550ex flash + foil reflector*, full manual
Tripod + bits

1600 sq crop from 2kx3k file, resized to 800sq

* foil cover from cheese spread tub - I tried the 'extra light' version, hoping for an extra stop or 2 ... didn't work

pp

PhilH · Post by **PhilH** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 4:02 pm

Wow, that is fantastic... but how? Are you galloping around the garden with cam on tripod?

Bruce Williams · Post by **Bruce Williams** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 4:14 pm

Great photo with really neat reflection in the bubble.

Very well done!

Bruce

beetleman · Post by **beetleman** » Mon Jun 11, 2007 5:12 pm

Incredible photo PP. I can see your camera in the reflection

puzzledpaul · Post by **puzzledpaul** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 3:31 am

Thanks for the comments, guys - I just got lucky

<< Are you galloping around the garden with cam on tripod? >>
More like lumbering, in my case ...

As I'm using an FD lens, there's little chance of getting anything decent by handholding same (+ the fact that my hholding skills are nothing like those of other ppl here anyway) ... so I just accept that fact / restriction.

There's more 'bits' between my tripod top and lens clamp than most ppl, I suspect, which give me a greater radius of action (and movement axes) than normal - without having to move the tripod itself - this helps if I'm trying to 'follow / track' something.

Re the bubble reflection - I'm still uncertain about what's in the lower right area, as I'd have thought the lens (end) has to be in the centre of the bubble (assuming spherical)?

pp

Danny · Post by **Danny** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 3:45 am

This is excellent !!. Bang on focus and great behaviour shot. Generally the bubble starts off clear and after a few times it starts to change colour. I'm pretty sure with that colour change, its helping with the digestive juices Paul. For the DOF, you got perfect selective focus, superb shooting and amazing lighting. Congrats on a great shot

, I love it !!!

Danny.

puzzledpaul · Post by **puzzledpaul** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 4:56 am

Danny - thanks for the comments re pic (considering quality of your work) and overall behaviour re bubble colouration - makes a lot of sense if it's 'recycling' its breakfast

Fortunately I was able to pick what I thought was the best of several shots, but never an easy shot (imo) to get the bubble (+ other 'important' bits in focus) ... again, I got lucky.

Re lighting, had swivelled the 550 head so's it was pointing right, then bounced back with the bit of foil (as mentioned in first post) ... in an attempt to get source a little off axis, but with flash still mounted in hotshoe.

This isn't worth a fresh thread as about the only bit of the whole pic that's even remotely worth looking at is the 'tongue' ... but taken a few frames earlier of a similar fly (not this'n)

I've added it 'cos I thought it might be of interest re 'eating habits'

pp

pixel for pixel crop

puzzledpaul · Post by **puzzledpaul** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 3:21 pm

Different specimen, different situation, but a few days later had this chance of a side view. Very windy day, but it settled on a plastic container for garden junk rather than a leaf

Has a sort of 'armour' feel to me?

Similar setup as before, but 1200x1800 crop, resized.

pp