First a hoverfly (second one I've ever managed to shoot )




Now some type of fruit fly I assume




Now an attempt at handheld deep stacking of a dead fly




It was a fail, so now I am looking for a reliable deep stacking setup (very expensive unfortunately :ugh: )

and to end it a quicky, right before it flew away:

[Rupert]

Fantastic shots! I don't understand the "stacking"......maybe a brief explanation for an old Squirrel shooter?
Best Regards!...I look forward to more!

[yeatzee]

Fantastic shots! I don't understand the "stacking"......maybe a brief explanation for an old Squirrel shooter?
Best Regards!...I look forward to more!

Each image is but a sliver of in focus detail at high magnification. Thus, you take multiple images moving forward or backward (BUT NOT AT ALL TO THE SIDES) mm's at a time between shots. You than combine the images in PP and get one image with much more in focus. In this case I did it handheld, which is unbelievably difficult and exhausting.

This is also done to preserve image quality due to diffraction caused by stopping down a lens for more DOF. For example at the magnification I usually shoot for jumpers F/5.6 is perfect for IQ. Therefore it usually takes about 3 images stacked to get good enough DOF for me.

[Ash]

Excellent work as usual Tanner.
Time for prayer ought to be a PEG and PPG Premiere Collection entry.
Your focus stacked fly is brilliant - spectacular detail, as if it were a 3D light micrograph.
Well done mate.

[Bob Harris]

I am always amazed at your macro photography. Bob

[Svendinvenn]

How on earth did you manage to do that stacking hand-held?

Love no 1!

[RobG]

Your macro shots are astonishing! I wish I had the patience to get such results.

[eaglem]

Excellent series of Macro shots!

[yeatzee]

Excellent work as usual Tanner.
Time for prayer ought to be a PEG and PPG Premiere Collection entry.
Your focus stacked fly is brilliant - spectacular detail, as if it were a 3D light micrograph.
Well done mate.

Thanks Ash. Im not sure I have the heart for more rejection from PEG
No in all seriousness I'll probably end up submitting it and the judge will nitpick it to hell saying "A portion of his wing and foot is cut off" "its not sharp" (<--- those always make me laugh in regards to my macro work Believe me, I'd never post it if it wasn't sharp) or perhaps my personal favorite "to little DOF" *insert rolling eyes smiley here*
I might submit it to the PPG gallery, but if it doesn't make premiere it will be deleted, since the entire website is a joke. Getting a shot in is about as special as uploading a picture on flickr IMO

I am always amazed at your macro photography. Bob

Thanks Bob!

How on earth did you manage to do that stacking hand-held?

Love no 1!

Lots of tightened muscles, strained eyeballs, sweat, etc. etc.

Your macro shots are astonishing! I wish I had the patience to get such results.

Thank you! Yes patience is a requirement for this kind of photography. Lots of failures thats for sure

Excellent series of Macro shots!

Thanks eagle!

[loco]

Absolutely stunning! I can't even get my Raynox 150 and 55-300 lens focused most of the time. This is amazing stuff! Don't know how you do it!