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First Attempt at Focus Stacking · 05:36 PM

I wanted to take a break from my usual subjects and decided to try some macro photography. I decided to try some focus stacking on some of the insects from my collection. There are some spots where I missed the focus, but for my first try, and using a rather imprecise set-up, I was happy with the reuslt!

**Ash** · 07-28-2011, 06:03 PM

Didn't do badly here Josh.
Stacking makes macro work doable with the simplest of setups.

jswillems · 07-28-2011, 07:28 PM

Thanks Ash!

Rupert · 07-28-2011, 08:09 PM

I like it....maybe I will try that myself!
Regards!

yeatzee · 07-28-2011, 08:50 PM

What is it?

Some type of wasp?

jswillems · 07-28-2011, 10:15 PM

Yes, it's a wasp, I believe of the family Sphecidae. Nowhere even close to the quality of your work, but hey, at least I have something to work towards!

yeatzee · 07-28-2011, 10:56 PM

Originally posted by jswillems

Yes, it's a wasp, I believe of the family Sphecidae. Nowhere even close to the quality of your work, but hey, at least I have something to work towards!

Interesting. Im pretty sure I caught this Sceliphron caementarium the other day, but my friend accidently let it go before could shoot it.

Thanks! Im glad I could be some type of inspiration

Is there any reason why such a fast shutter speed was needed? How did you move the camera/subject incrementally?

**dcmsox2004** · 07-29-2011, 05:04 AM

excellent work and composition.... superb detail...dave m

jswillems · 07-29-2011, 11:47 AM

Originally posted by dcmsox2004

excellent work and composition.... superb detail...dave m

Thanks!

Originally posted by yeatzee

Thanks! Im glad I could be some type of inspiration Is there any reason why such a fast shutter speed was needed? How did you move the camera/subject incrementally?

Not only am I new to macro photography, I'm also completely new to using an external flash, so I'm still trying to figure things out. Is there a downside to using a fast shutter speed as long as there's enough light? I was moving the wasp back and forth on a simple slide that I slapped together out of some wood. It works, but it's really not precise and is easy to miss spots. Here's one I did last night of a white-lined sphinx moth that I like, except for the area above and to the right of the eye where I missed the focus. Ahh well, practice makes perfect!

yeatzee · 07-29-2011, 12:03 PM

Well unless your setup is VERY unstable you don't need such a fast shutter speed. For "in the wild" shots I normally use anywhere from 1/40 down to like 1/15. The flash stops the motion

For my studio macro's I shoot anywhere from 1-3 second shutter speeds. Also, are you using a remote?

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07-28-2011, 06:03 PM	#2
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Didn't do badly here Josh. Stacking makes macro work doable with the simplest of setups.

07-28-2011, 07:28 PM	#3
jswillems Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Los Osos, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 90 Original Poster	Thanks Ash!

07-28-2011, 08:09 PM	#4
Rupert Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 25,123	I like it....maybe I will try that myself! Regards!

07-28-2011, 08:50 PM	#5
yeatzee Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Temecula Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,675	What is it? Some type of wasp?

07-28-2011, 10:15 PM	#6
jswillems Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Los Osos, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 90 Original Poster	Yes, it's a wasp, I believe of the family Sphecidae. Nowhere even close to the quality of your work, but hey, at least I have something to work towards!

07-28-2011, 10:56 PM	#7
yeatzee Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Temecula Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,675	Originally posted by jswillems Yes, it's a wasp, I believe of the family Sphecidae. Nowhere even close to the quality of your work, but hey, at least I have something to work towards! Interesting. Im pretty sure I caught this Sceliphron caementarium the other day, but my friend accidently let it go before could shoot it. Thanks! Im glad I could be some type of inspiration Is there any reason why such a fast shutter speed was needed? How did you move the camera/subject incrementally?

07-29-2011, 05:04 AM	#8
dcmsox2004 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: rhode island Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,522	excellent work and composition.... superb detail...dave m

07-29-2011, 11:47 AM	#9
jswillems Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Los Osos, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 90 Original Poster	Originally posted by dcmsox2004 excellent work and composition.... superb detail...dave m Thanks! Originally posted by yeatzee Thanks! Im glad I could be some type of inspiration Is there any reason why such a fast shutter speed was needed? How did you move the camera/subject incrementally? Not only am I new to macro photography, I'm also completely new to using an external flash, so I'm still trying to figure things out. Is there a downside to using a fast shutter speed as long as there's enough light? I was moving the wasp back and forth on a simple slide that I slapped together out of some wood. It works, but it's really not precise and is easy to miss spots. Here's one I did last night of a white-lined sphinx moth that I like, except for the area above and to the right of the eye where I missed the focus. Ahh well, practice makes perfect!

07-29-2011, 12:03 PM	#10
yeatzee Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Temecula Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,675	Well unless your setup is VERY unstable you don't need such a fast shutter speed. For "in the wild" shots I normally use anywhere from 1/40 down to like 1/15. The flash stops the motion For my studio macro's I shoot anywhere from 1-3 second shutter speeds. Also, are you using a remote?

Macro First Attempt at Focus Stacking

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