Michael
Could you describe how you set the light for these photos? How many lightsources/reflectrors from which direction, and why?
It would be very helpful for us to see photos of your lighting setups on each photo you show us here to better understand and maybe learn how you do it
If the scales are primarily pigmented I will often use a "ring" diffuser such as seen in this post:
http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... hp?t=19587
This is what was used for the "white" surface illuminated scales (second image above), as well as the last image that was just added. I have been using the Ikea LED lights that many of us like so well, but for these a single fiber optic light guide was the light source.
The top stereo image needed to be illuminated differently in order to clearly show the fine hairlike scales. For that one I used the light (FO light guide) at a low grazing angle directly onto the wing. This was a bit too "hard" and gave totally black shadow areas, so a semi-circular reflector was placed on the opposite side and adjusted in size and location until it provided an adequate fill light.
The two trans-illuminated ("backlit") shots above were taken using a microscope illuminator under the stage with no additional top lights.
If the scales are iridescent they often photograph best with a more all-encompassing light so I'll often use a "full" dome as shown in this post:
http://www.photomacrography.net/forum/v ... hp?t=18579
This diffuser can sometimes be too "flat" with non iridescent scales, but can work well with them if you put the light right up against it.
Often I get by with a single light, but this all determined by looking at the subject as the light(s) are positioned and moved around. If a very even, flat light is required I may need use up to three lights outside of the diffusers.
