Shield bug

Charles Krebs · Post by **Charles Krebs** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 11:40 pm

Here's a dorsal and ventral view of a shield bug (and a third shot with a closer look at the two ocelli). This particular species is a rather plain looking brown/orange color, but is still pretty interesting up close.

MacroLuv · Post by **MacroLuv** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 12:50 am

Wow! This is very close and clean. Did you clean them from dust particles before getting photograph?

Wim van Egmond · Post by **Wim van Egmond** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 4:31 am

Very beautiful results Charles!

I have made a stack image of a green shield bug yesterday, quite similar to that second one. Although of course not as perfect in technique.

But it is fun to experiment with stacking. You discover details you would otherwise never see! It is realy like exploring the body of an insect.

My lighting is less even. I use a photocontainer as diffuser. Works well but gives more light from the sides.

I sometimes use pictures torn from a magazine for my backgrounds. When you use pictures with grass and sky you get a very natural looking background.

I'll post some more stacks when I am back from a trip to France.

best regards,

Wim

beetleman · Post by **beetleman** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 5:12 am

Everything you do is super interesting Charles, All three photos are fantastic

I like the third one the most with the ocelli. "The Stack Master"

Charles Krebs · Post by **Charles Krebs** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 9:41 am

Wim... sort of funny to imagine us about 6000 miles apart working with the same critter in the same manner.

Making this type of image with "macro" equipment rather than on the microscope does give more freedom to experiment with lighting and backgrounds. Digital cameras and the stacking software finally provide the ability to do a type of shot that I've wished to do for many, many years.

Charles Krebs · Post by **Charles Krebs** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 9:50 am

Nikola... actually, except for beetles that rummage around on the ground, the insects I find seem pretty clean. I usually dust them off with "canned air", and occasionally a fine artist brush if there is a stubborn, annoying piece of debris.