1st Camel Q&A session: Macro photography with Brian (LordV)

[aam1234]

I like question 3.

Do you have a personal favorite, Brian.

[LordV]

Originally Posted by John Roberts

1. Do you always use a tripod?

2. Why is it that people say autofocus is unnecessary in macro lenses? I couldn't focus correctly with a manual focus lens.

3. Could you post some of your favorite personal shots and explain why you like them the best?

Thanks for this wonderful thread.

1. Because of my shooting style I very rarely use a tripod- I just use my bean pole when shooting above 1:1

2. basically AF will often not work at all at higher magnifications anyway, but around 1;1 it may work but is very limited in it's use. This is because often either the subject or you is moving and the AF will not keep up plus the AF does not know what part you are trying to focus on (eg with most bug shots you want to get the eyes in focus). I think if you are using a tripod with stationary subjects then AF might be of some use. I'm so used to not using AF that I very rarely use it even when taking non macro shots.

3. here's a few for starters, but I have too many favourites
click on pics for larger size

[LordV]

A few more favourites. brian V.

Click on Pics for larger size

[RobAmy]

Interesting reading thru your answers, our styles of shooting are very similar. Here is some of my work which I do not think you seen yet. I mainly use the MPE-65. BTW great favorite shots, I hope your still around when I start with a few bugs, hopefully in about another month.

Macro World Photo Gallery by Rob Lavoie at pbase.com

[jfrancho]

Do you have a few reference recommendations for us to use to identify our garden buddies?

[LordV]

Fraid I ran out of steam last night (I'm an early riser).
Brian V.

Click on Pics for larger size

[LordV]

Yet more favourites. Better make this the last one-
You will hopefully get the idea that I don't have any particular favourites. The shots I have included here are for any number of reasons.
1. I just like the result
2. Rare bug or unusual behaviour
3.Difficult shot
4. Beautiful subject
So when I was asked the same question a short while ago I produced 50 pictures

Brian V.

Click on Pics for larger size

[LordV]

Originally Posted by RobAmy

Interesting reading thru your answers, our styles of shooting are very similar. Here is some of my work which I do not think you seen yet. I mainly use the MPE-65. BTW great favorite shots, I hope your still around when I start with a few bugs, hopefully in about another month.

Macro World Photo Gallery by Rob Lavoie at pbase.com

Rob had a quick look through your gallery- lots of excellent shots.
Do I detect a macro flash/twin light

Although it's a question of style you may want to try more open apertures with the MPE-65 or other macro lens to get greater detail. As commented above I rarely use above F11 at 1:1 and end up with F5.6 at 5:1 all to prevent diffraction softening.
Brian V.

[LordV]

Originally Posted by jfrancho

Do you have a few reference recommendations for us to use to identify our garden buddies?

I just use a couple of general insect/bug identification books for the UK (nothing huge or expensive). I can normally find out the family from that and then use the WWW to get better identification. I'm also a member of
Diptera.info
who are very good for fly/hoverfly/wasp IDs
One thing that frequently happens now is that people far more expert than me ID my shots on Flickr.
For many insects it's virtually impossible to ID them completely without almost getting into dissection which is not my scene.
Brian V.

[LordV]

Thanks for all the questions everyone- an enjoyable session (even if it did go over my bed-time )
One thing to note about my answers. They are just the way I do things and contribute to my style of macrophotography. They are not the only answer. If there is one thing I have learnt on my relatively short macrophotography journey, It is to decide what sort of shot you are aiming for and then work out how you are going to achieve it. At the moment I'm going through a maximum detail phase but that may well change.

Brian V.

[Athena]

Great stuff Brian. I was going to ask for the beanpole photo, but then I saw you included it later on. I do like that shot.

[aam1234]

Hope we can continue asking you questions Brian, if you don't mind of course.

I ran a few of these sessions before and usually they run for months. Hope that doesn't scare you away You don't have to dedicate time for the Q&A of course, just drop by whenever you have the chance.

What do you think Brian. And thank you very much, your effort is well appreciated.

[LordV]

Originally Posted by aam1234

Hope we can continue asking you questions Brian, if you don't mind of course.

I ran a few of these sessions before and usually they run for months. Hope that doesn't scare you away You don't have to dedicate time for the Q&A of course, just drop by whenever you have the chance.

What do you think Brian. And thank you very much, your effort is well appreciated.

Thanks and will be delighted to continue
Brian V.

[aam1234]

Athena or Brian, Couldn't find the beanpole picture in the equipment photos. So could someone provide a link to it please.

Thanks.