Observaciones de dalantech

This is a higher magnification shot of a Resin Bee than the first one I posted. Several people have asked about the magnification that I include with my images and if I'm including the crop factor of the sensor. Cropping an image, either with a smaller than full frame sensor or in post, creates an enlargement and does not change the magnification. The MP-E 65mm macro lens that I use has magnification markings on the barrel and that's how I can tell what magnification I'm shooting at. The depth in my images is due to the way that I twist my wrist to lay the area of acceptable focus over the curve of the critter's face. After 15 years of shooting macro hand held I've built up a lot of muscle memory.

Trachusa interrupta, male.

Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F14, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (3x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT with a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe on the "A" head (the key), E-TTL metering, -1/3 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Denoise AI and Clarity in that order. I held the grass stalk close to a wall to keep the background from being black.

I got lucky and found a snoozing Resin Bee. This is a new solitary bee for me as I'm pretty sure this is the first time I've photographed one. They look very similar to European Wool Carder Bees but the face is white instead of yellow.

Trachusa interrupta, male.

Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F14, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (2x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT with a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe on the "A" head (the key), E-TTL metering, -1/3 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Denoise AI and Clarity in that order. I held the grass stalk close to a wall to keep the background from being black.

I got lucky and found a one of the Long Horned Bees, named after their long antenna, sleeping in a flower and I photographed it as it woke up. The area where I found it is the last fifteen meters of an overgrown dead end road that's going to be mowed soon, so I transplanted a couple of the flowers that they like to my yard.

Tetralonia malvae, male.

Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F11, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (over 1x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT with a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe on the "A" head (the key), E-TTL metering, -1/3 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Denoise AI and Clarity in that order. I had a hard time keeping the scene steady and you can see my finger in the background.

I got lucky and found a pair of snoozing Long Horned Bees -named after their long antenna. Not uncommon for them to sleep together, and I wonder if it helps them to keep warm or possibly to warm up and get active faster.

Tetralonia malvae, males.

Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F14, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (over 1x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT with a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe on the "A" head (the key), E-TTL metering, -1/3 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Denoise AI and Clarity in that order. I used an artificial flower to keep the background from being black.

Sometimes when I'm photographing a sleeping insect it will just take off when it wakes up. This Long Horned Bee seemed to be more curious than afraid and it stuck around for a little while. I was holding on to the flower's stem with my left hand, holding back a couple of flower petals, and when the bee paused I'd look for a way to compose it.

Tetralonia malvae, male.

Tech Specs: Canon 80D (F14, 1/250, ISO 100) + a Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens (almost 2x) + a diffused MT-26EX-RT with a Kaiser adjustable flash shoe on the "A" head (the key), E-TTL metering, -1/3 FEC). This is a single, uncropped, frame taken hand held. In post I used Topaz Denoise AI and Clarity in that order. I used an artificial flower to keep the background from being black.