Comatricha Slime Mold

[Tim Boomer]

As a newbie to the site, I thought what better way to introduce myself than with one of my favorite photos? Sure beats a selfie, right?

Fused Comatricha (slime mold) fruiting bodies

100% crop

This photo was made with a Mitutoyo 10x/0.28 objective adapted to my Nikon D810 via my 200mm micro-Nikkor as a tube lens. Stacked from 142 exposures with diffused flash in the field with a cheapie Sunwayfoto MFR-150s manual rail. Comments and critiques are welcome. In fact, I will add one of my own: I wish I had placed the diffuser on the left side instead of the right, as doing so would have made for a more pleasingly shaped reflection on the lower sporangium. Cheers!

[AlP]

Very nice and I agree about the flash.

[rjlittlefield]

This is lovely! Stacked at 10X in the field is very impressive too.

--Rik

[MarkSturtevant]

Very fine work!

[Tim Boomer]

Very nice and I agree about the flash.

Thank you very much! I'm kicking myself for not moving the flash to the other side, but it's not always obvious in the moment when you can only see a tiny sliver in focus at a time. Always learning though...

[Tim Boomer]

This is lovely! Stacked at 10X in the field is very impressive too.

--Rik

Thanks so much, Rik! Stacking at 10x in the field can be very challenging, but it sure beats sitting in the garage (my home "studio"). Most myxos don't like to be disturbed at this stage, so photographing in the field increases the chances of the the subject looking its best even if it decreases my chances of getting the best technical quality.

[Tim Boomer]

Very fine work!

Thank you very much, Mark! Always looking to improve!

[zzffnn]

Very beautiful and impressive work!

[Tim Boomer]

Very beautiful and impressive work!

Thank you so very much; always looking to improve!

[AlP]

Thank you very much! I'm kicking myself for not moving the flash to the other side, but it's not always obvious in the moment when you can only see a tiny sliver in focus at a time. Always learning though...
[/quote]

Yup, been there, done that and got the t-shirt too. It still happens the odd time.

[Lou Jost]

Really excellent work. Amazing that it was manually field-stacked.

[Tim Boomer]

Really excellent work. Amazing that it was manually field-stacked.

Thank you very much, Lou! As I mentioned to Rik, I like to work in the field whenever possible. I haven't had much luck bringing home slime molds when they're still fresh like this. I do occasionally cultivate them in moist chambers in my garage, but they tend to change so quickly once I remove the lid and the humidity drops.

As for stacking manually, I simply haven't invested in an automated rail yet. In addition to the price, I'm under the impression they're not terribly portable. One of these days, I will likely take the plunge and buy one to use at home. And I'm sure I will kick myself for not doing so sooner.

[Lou Jost]

And I'm sure I will kick myself for not doing so sooner.

I'm sure too! They aren't terribly expensive and will save a huge amount of your time.

[Troels]

Very nice and interesting pictures.
Troels

[Tim Boomer]

Very nice and interesting pictures.
Troels

Thank you very kindly! Hopefully we will get more rain at some point and more myxos will pop up.