working on my flash set-up

[mark_h]

I have been putting together my macro rig after reading many many posting
and it is coming along

I took this image this morning

What I need advice on is how to eliminate the reflections from the ant's body
my flash is set to TTL and the camera to Auto. The deflector is a plastic container lined with aluminum foil with a dual layer of paper towels for a cover.
I tried an umbrella but I can not get rid of the reflection, so I am open to suggestions. Thanks

[rjlittlefield]

To greatly reduce or completely get rid of those flash reflections from shiny surfaces, the only technique I know is "cross polarization". Follow the links from THIS POST for discussion and details.

The reflections can also be made less obvious and more natural appearing, by placing a diffuser much closer to the specimen so that it covers "most of the sky" from the subject's standpoint. That will change the current very bright, rather small, hard-edged reflections to be not so bright, much larger, and soft-edged, more like natural light on an overcast day.

I hope this helps -- your image and setup look good!

--Rik

[Craig Gerard]

mark_h,

In addition to Rik's cross-polarisation suggestion; here is a link to some very good articles written by Alex Wild. He is using different equipment; but similar principles apply.

http://myrmecos.net/articles/

Craig

[sonyalpha]

Re: Too bright flash reflections.......

......Before you try anything expensive...just...find a standard opaque paper folder (A4 size UK)...then wrap it around the flash ....use an elastic band to hold it in place:

It will look a little like the protective collar a vet fits on to an injured pet:

The amount it overhangs the front flash ...or...closeness to the lens can be adjusted at will by moving it back and forth........if you still get bright reflections fit a second one:

It works for me......see my posts:

sonyalpha