Coming in to land

[Beatsy]

Fly at 2.2x in APS-C crop mode. Stack of 90 images taken with a Linoscan 1800 scanner lens (the 92mm f/7.1 one).

[Roel Wijtmans]

What an amazing photo! I really like the POV you choose here.

[Beatsy]

Thanks Roel

Here's an illustration of what a difference a day makes (along with a background and lighting change).

The fly was left in the rig overnight, mounted sideways in "landscape orientation". Note how the foot pads have shriveled up and the legs have actually opened up a little (I expected them to contract). Just goes to show that if you're studio stacking dead specimens, you should do them as fresh from the freezer as possible.

Not sure I like this one as much as the first really. It had better contrast out of camera (lighting change reduced some veiling flare that was present in the first) but it doesn't look so good against the lighter background IMO. Or maybe it does? Dunno. Oh well, next one will be perfect - unless it isn't

[Roel Wijtmans]

I think I prefer the first one actually, the contrast with the dark background gives the photo more "pop", and as you mentioned, the feet look better there as well.

[Olympusman]

OK Beatsy - dangle this in front of a science fiction producer. Really like the one on the yellow field.

Mike

[ChrisR]

Striking image(s). Also prefer the first. Do you know what the fly is?

[Beatsy]

Striking image(s). Also prefer the first. Do you know what the fly is?

Thanks all. Just a common Flesh Fly Chris (Sarcophaga carnaria) I think.

[Rudi]

Like the first one best, like the 'glowing' feet. Though the eye detail seems better in the second pic, can be my 'older' eyes ???