Macro Attempts (some bugs & bug eyes)

[Paul Lange]

Went for a walk today after it had finally stopped raining and decided to take the macro lens with me. I also took a 50mm prime and a reverse adapter but didn't manage to get anything in focus with that. I definitely need more practice! I did manage to take these which came out half decent and another bonus, I have been having trouble with my back since last week when I slipped in mud and pulled a back muscle badly. That has heeled pretty well but my lower back has been a bit sore from the extra pressure put on it. Today whilst walking a turned and felt a pop in my spine. At first I was worried that I had done something awful but instead the pop was my back aligning itself. Bonus! the ache has gone which is great news. Not so good is that my car stalled in floodwater, it sucked up water into the engine and bust a conrod. Its basically a replacement engine unless it is covered by the insurance then its a replacement car.

This is also a bit of a test as these are being hosted by my newly opened Flickr account. Hopefully I have done the codes properly!


Spring Fly.jpg by Paul R Lange, on Flickr


Look.jpg by Paul R Lange, on Flickr


Trident Shoots.jpg by Paul R Lange, on Flickr


Rain Drops.jpg by Paul R Lange, on Flickr


Spiral Shell Snail.jpg by Paul R Lange, on Flickr

 

[Gavin Robert]

They're all good Paul but the second held my attention for the longest. Once settled I can feel that the snail is planning its journey across the greenery. Definitely the attention grabber for me.

 

[Hamish Gill]

I love the snail one! the richness of the colours of the foliage is lovely!
You also dont see so many pix of snails ... so that its self makes it interesting!

good to hear the back is good, thats crap about the car though!

 

[Darren Turner]

wow there amazing Paul, i love both snail shots alot detail and composition is fantastic.........!!

Great work & was defo worth waiting for the rain to stop for your walk.

What lens did you use then ? was it a Macro lens ?

Daz

 

[Paul Lange]

Cheers guys, really appreciate the comments especially as these were my first attempt for ages. Not really into macro photography but I do enjoy just getting out of the house on my own with the camera sometimes and living in a semi rural area there is an abundance of bugs and stuff to photograph.

I used a Nikon 60mm 3.5 Macro lens. It has 1:1 from about 6 inches close focus.

 

[Pete Askew]

They've come out pretty good I think Paul and, like the others, the winner is certainly the first shot of the snail. Character and context super.

And, of course, you can't beat a shot of a hover fly (Syrphus major by the way). In flight would have been better though

Actually that is not as difficult as it sounds if you can set up fairly quickly as they often return to a patch after darting away.

 

[Lesley Jones]

They're all wonderful, but the snail is my favourite too

 

[Paul Lange]

Thank you. I must admit the snail shot makes me chuckle. It's the eyes!

 

[Lesley Jones]

I had to come back for another look. I'm eating my dinner at the moment and it still makes me smile. I love snails

 

[Paul Lange]

You know what? I actually have no idea if they are actually eyes on the end of the stalks or even if snails have eyes at all. They look like eyes so that's enough for me.

 

[Pete Askew]

They do indeed and those are they! Not the highest resolution but good enough to catch a lettuce!!

Sensors

 

[alfie Wright]

They are all very nice! The snail shots stand out especially the first one, but for me the Hover Fly is my favourite. Lovely shots.