Macro The Green Tigers Are Here, The Green Tigers Are Here!

The Green Tigers Are Here, The Green Tigers Are Here! · 12:51 PM

Well, The Green Tiger Beetles

The really nice 70 degree temps here have these guys pretty active at the moment - I spent a couple of hours today crawling around in the dirt snapping pics, fun fun fun...

[Next week will be the hunt for the holy grail of Tiger Beetles, the super rare Puritan species]

No Crop, shot true 1:1 [105mm], 400ISO, f/13, 1/160th, YN560 @ 90% Power

No Crop, shot 1:1.2, 400ISO, f/10, 1/250th, No Flash

No Crop, shot true 1:1 [105mm], 200ISO, f/14, 1/160th, YN560 @ 100% Power

mtansley · 03-13-2012, 01:08 PM

Impressive shots.

However, aren't those beetles doing slightly rude things in two of those photos.

**Bruce Clark** · 03-13-2012, 03:13 PM

Very colourful beasties. I like #3 witht he small succulent plant inthe corner. It really adds depth to the photo

Nass · 03-13-2012, 03:22 PM

Oh wow. I wish we had these in the UK

Philoslothical · 03-13-2012, 03:41 PM

Gorgeous! I'm so envious of you guys that have bugs to shoot already. Everything up here is still a dull brown, and nothing bigger than a gnat is out yet.

Really beautiful bugs, well shot.

**dcmsox2004** · 03-13-2012, 04:01 PM

superb shots! pretty ominous looking creatures... getting a wee bit frisky to boot.... dave m

joe.penn · 03-13-2012, 06:14 PM

Thanks for the compliments everyone. Hopefully I will be able to snap some of the "Northeastern Beach Tiger Beetles" this weekend, they are a light colored tiger beetle [also an endangered species]. lol, I guess I could have labeled the thread "NSFW" as they look to be getting ready to do the nasty...

[BTW: Here is a snap of the macro setup I used today]

...

audiobomber · 03-13-2012, 06:38 PM

Really well done, Joe. Beetles are hard to shoot because they are usually scurrying off somewhere. These don't seem in a hurry to run off.

wcchamp18 · 03-13-2012, 06:46 PM

Nice shots Joe. Great DOF too. Can't believe you didn't call and tell me about the cool new flash deflector you got!!!!! !@$#%&

GeoJerry · 03-13-2012, 07:32 PM

I like these, especially #3. I need to start trying macro more.
Did you use HDR for these? This is something I've been wanting to try - HDR on macro shots.

magkelly · 03-13-2012, 08:03 PM

Originally posted by mtansley

Impressive shots.

However, aren't those beetles doing slightly rude things in two of those photos.

T'aint rude tis just a wee bit of Spring Fever....:P Gorgeous beetles though. I can see why they turn bugs like this into cosmetics. Don't like the idea, but I can see why they do it. Nothing a chemist can make can even come close to the artwork of Mother Nature. Stunning metallics there, aren't they?

mtansley · 03-13-2012, 08:21 PM

Originally posted by magkelly

Gorgeous beetles though. I can see why they turn bugs like this into cosmetics. Don't like the idea, but I can see why they do it. Nothing a chemist can make can even come close to the artwork of Mother Nature. Stunning metallics there, aren't they?

I didn't know they did use bugs for cosmetics. That's a new one on me. Doesn't sound too good.

hishammarmin · 03-13-2012, 09:47 PM

This bug is quite difficult to photograph because the shinning outer body layer. Your lighting is very good because you can minimize and eliminate the 'burnout' area. Very impressive and good macro indeed. Well done!

joe.penn · 03-14-2012, 10:48 AM

Originally posted by audiobomber

Really well done, Joe. Beetles are hard to shoot because they are usually scurrying off somewhere. These don't seem in a hurry to run off.

Thanks Dan

The Tiger Beetles are like the hardest of any bug to shoot, I think scale to us they can run at over over 60mph (although they fly off slow) - patience pays off with these guys, it's rare but every once in a while you will find one or two that will cooperate for a bit. One thing to note for reference on this, they do not like people walking near them and will always fly/jump off if you walk within 4~6ft of them, I get on my knees and move around where they are, seems to not intimidate them as much. I seen a few hundred of these guys yesterday but took me a few hours just to get a couple pics.

Originally posted by wcchamp18

Nice shots Joe. Great DOF too. Can't believe you didn't call and tell me about the cool new flash deflector you got!!!!! !@$#%&

I will give you a call this evening (also fill you in on my eventful sunday in DC)...

Originally posted by magkelly

T'aint rude tis just a wee bit of Spring Fever....:P Gorgeous beetles though. I can see why they turn bugs like this into cosmetics. Don't like the idea, but I can see why they do it. Nothing a chemist can make can even come close to the artwork of Mother Nature. Stunning metallics there, aren't they?

Yep, spring fever, that time of year once again

Originally posted by mtansley

I didn't know they did use bugs for cosmetics. That's a new one on me. Doesn't sound too good.

Yep - dry them out then crush them up, crazy but has been done by tribes for centuries.

Originally posted by hishammarmin

This bug is quite difficult to photograph because the shinning outer body layer. Your lighting is very good because you can minimize and eliminate the 'burnout' area. Very impressive and good macro indeed. Well done!

Thanks hishammarmin - the bounce reflector seems to work a little better than what my mini diffuser does when shooting these guys, I should be using it more often

...

joe.penn · 03-14-2012, 11:07 AM

Originally posted by GeoJerry

I like these, especially #3. I need to start trying macro more.
Did you use HDR for these? This is something I've been wanting to try - HDR on macro shots.

Thanks Jerry - no, did not use HDR on these...

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03-13-2012, 01:08 PM	#2
mtansley Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Ajax, Ontario, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,139	Impressive shots. However, aren't those beetles doing slightly rude things in two of those photos.

03-13-2012, 03:13 PM	#3
Bruce Clark Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Ocean Grove, Victoria Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,458	Very colourful beasties. I like #3 witht he small succulent plant inthe corner. It really adds depth to the photo

03-13-2012, 03:22 PM	#4
Nass Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The British Isles Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,402	Oh wow. I wish we had these in the UK

03-13-2012, 03:41 PM	#5
Philoslothical Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 1,889	Gorgeous! I'm so envious of you guys that have bugs to shoot already. Everything up here is still a dull brown, and nothing bigger than a gnat is out yet. Really beautiful bugs, well shot.

03-13-2012, 04:01 PM	#6
dcmsox2004 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: rhode island Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,522	superb shots! pretty ominous looking creatures... getting a wee bit frisky to boot.... dave m

03-13-2012, 06:14 PM	#7
joe.penn Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Maryland (Right Outside Washington DC) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,902 Original Poster	Thanks for the compliments everyone. Hopefully I will be able to snap some of the "Northeastern Beach Tiger Beetles" this weekend, they are a light colored tiger beetle [also an endangered species]. lol, I guess I could have labeled the thread "NSFW" as they look to be getting ready to do the nasty... [BTW: Here is a snap of the macro setup I used today] ...

03-13-2012, 06:38 PM	#8
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Really well done, Joe. Beetles are hard to shoot because they are usually scurrying off somewhere. These don't seem in a hurry to run off.

03-13-2012, 06:46 PM	#9
wcchamp18 Closed Account Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 764	Nice shots Joe. Great DOF too. Can't believe you didn't call and tell me about the cool new flash deflector you got!!!!! !@$#%&

03-13-2012, 07:32 PM	#10
GeoJerry Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,158	I like these, especially #3. I need to start trying macro more. Did you use HDR for these? This is something I've been wanting to try - HDR on macro shots.

03-13-2012, 08:03 PM	#11
magkelly Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,901	Originally posted by mtansley Impressive shots. However, aren't those beetles doing slightly rude things in two of those photos. T'aint rude tis just a wee bit of Spring Fever....:P Gorgeous beetles though. I can see why they turn bugs like this into cosmetics. Don't like the idea, but I can see why they do it. Nothing a chemist can make can even come close to the artwork of Mother Nature. Stunning metallics there, aren't they?

03-13-2012, 08:21 PM	#12
mtansley Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Ajax, Ontario, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,139	Originally posted by magkelly Gorgeous beetles though. I can see why they turn bugs like this into cosmetics. Don't like the idea, but I can see why they do it. Nothing a chemist can make can even come close to the artwork of Mother Nature. Stunning metallics there, aren't they? I didn't know they did use bugs for cosmetics. That's a new one on me. Doesn't sound too good.

03-13-2012, 09:47 PM	#13
hishammarmin Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Kuala Lumpur Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 46	This bug is quite difficult to photograph because the shinning outer body layer. Your lighting is very good because you can minimize and eliminate the 'burnout' area. Very impressive and good macro indeed. Well done!

03-14-2012, 10:48 AM	#14
joe.penn Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Maryland (Right Outside Washington DC) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,902 Original Poster	Originally posted by audiobomber Really well done, Joe. Beetles are hard to shoot because they are usually scurrying off somewhere. These don't seem in a hurry to run off. Thanks Dan The Tiger Beetles are like the hardest of any bug to shoot, I think scale to us they can run at over over 60mph (although they fly off slow) - patience pays off with these guys, it's rare but every once in a while you will find one or two that will cooperate for a bit. One thing to note for reference on this, they do not like people walking near them and will always fly/jump off if you walk within 4~6ft of them, I get on my knees and move around where they are, seems to not intimidate them as much. I seen a few hundred of these guys yesterday but took me a few hours just to get a couple pics. Originally posted by wcchamp18 Nice shots Joe. Great DOF too. Can't believe you didn't call and tell me about the cool new flash deflector you got!!!!! !@$#%& I will give you a call this evening (also fill you in on my eventful sunday in DC)... Originally posted by magkelly T'aint rude tis just a wee bit of Spring Fever....:P Gorgeous beetles though. I can see why they turn bugs like this into cosmetics. Don't like the idea, but I can see why they do it. Nothing a chemist can make can even come close to the artwork of Mother Nature. Stunning metallics there, aren't they? Yep, spring fever, that time of year once again Originally posted by mtansley I didn't know they did use bugs for cosmetics. That's a new one on me. Doesn't sound too good. Yep - dry them out then crush them up, crazy but has been done by tribes for centuries. Originally posted by hishammarmin This bug is quite difficult to photograph because the shinning outer body layer. Your lighting is very good because you can minimize and eliminate the 'burnout' area. Very impressive and good macro indeed. Well done! Thanks hishammarmin - the bounce reflector seems to work a little better than what my mini diffuser does when shooting these guys, I should be using it more often ...

03-14-2012, 11:07 AM	#15
joe.penn Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Maryland (Right Outside Washington DC) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,902 Original Poster	Originally posted by GeoJerry I like these, especially #3. I need to start trying macro more. Did you use HDR for these? This is something I've been wanting to try - HDR on macro shots. Thanks Jerry - no, did not use HDR on these...