Grasshopper portrait

Beatsy · Post by **Beatsy** » Wed Sep 27, 2017 10:26 am

A few composition errors and other minor flaws, but this came out 'tolerably' all the same - IMO of course. Roughly 150 images in the stack, taken with 5x Mitty on a 135mm tube lens for 3.375x on FF sensor. Slight edge crop so final FoV is a 7mm square.

JH · Post by JH » Wed Sep 27, 2017 10:56 am

I realy like the light - controlled and professional.
Regards Jörgen

Troels · Post by **Troels** » Wed Sep 27, 2017 12:31 pm

Very well done -
but more important for me: It's really so funny!

Harald · Post by **Harald** » Wed Sep 27, 2017 12:46 pm

Hi there Beatsy,
I think this came out just great. Nice light and details.
The flaws youre talking about is minor, IMO, next time

Very well done, thanks for sharing

mawyatt · Post by **mawyatt** » Wed Sep 27, 2017 2:12 pm

Steve,

Beautiful image of an ugly critter

Neat how you can "look around" the left antenna!!

Best,

Mike

Beatsy · Post by **Beatsy** » Wed Sep 27, 2017 2:50 pm

Thanks for the generous comments all. Here's another view of the same critter. Just a quick stack, dmap, no retouching. Yes, I'm test stacking again - trying to figure out of there's such a thing as "too much diffusion" - which in itself is a waypoint on the way to (hopefully) re-introducing some directional light for nicer shadowing around raised details and enhancement of surface contours.

I've always wanted to light insects the same as I would for "human portraits" but it's not that straight-forward. I could be on a road to nowhere. Tests show that the point where shadows appear (removing light from certain directions) is also at or very near the point where specular highlights return. Yuck! But I've not exhausted all avenues - there could be a "perfect balance" to be had, I just haven't found it yet...

rjlittlefield · Post by **rjlittlefield** » Wed Sep 27, 2017 3:18 pm

With directional illumination, have you considered using cross-polarization to tame the specular reflections?

--Rik

Beatsy · Post by **Beatsy** » Wed Sep 27, 2017 5:33 pm

rjlittlefield wrote:With directional illumination, have you considered using cross-polarization to tame the specular reflections?

--Rik

An avenue I've yet to explore properly - but it's on the list.

Beatsy · Post by **Beatsy** » Thu Sep 28, 2017 9:16 am

Just one to finish the thought. Slightly more directional light from the right side (diffused with half a ping pong ball) and some fill bounced in from the left and front. Some specular reflections, but acceptable levels IMO.

Not sure I like it. Looks completely different to the first one in terms of surface colouring but shows a bit more surface contouring. Still think I prefer the first though. Hmmm...

Troels · Post by **Troels** » Thu Sep 28, 2017 12:38 pm

For artistic impression I prefer the first portrait.
As a precise and beautiful desription of the shape and relief of the face I prefer the last portrait.

Thanks for giving us both!

Sumguy01 · Post by **Sumguy01** » Wed Oct 04, 2017 8:55 pm

Very nice.
Thanks for sharing.