Word from the wise:

calibrate your monitor. I had to start fresh on a new HDD this last week, and didn't bother recalibrating with the new windows install...had a hell of a time editing photos this morning, then calibrated out of frustration...what a difference!!

anyway, here's the goods. Just a lowkey gecko shot, working on macro lighting in the house. To the left is a bright white wall. There is an overhead (60w) light, a clamp lamp to the right (4 feet away or so, 100w) and flash was used through a home-brewed macro diffuser. I think I need to rig a little reflector to sit on the bottom of the lens hood, to reflect a little more light forward and up. And probably move the tile a little farther from the wall. Didn't realize how much light the wall reflected, until loupey pointed it out in another gecko shot from a few weeks ago.

Wide angle macros are making a comeback in my house, since the M3358 close-up lens needs to be used at high zoom = fast shutter = hard to light with anything but flash.

never get tired of harrassing these little guys.
http://www.sushigaijin.com/images/photos/crestylick.jpg

edit: Does anyone care for nature in black and white? I typically shoot and post in color, because often times color is an interesting facet - but what about texture? I don't know if my conversion is good or bad, levels, curves, channel mixer...i'm a rank amateur as far as B/W conversion goes..

http://www.sushigaijin.com/images/photos/cresty%20mama%20bw.jpg

that first shot is priceless !!! some fill lighting on the other side would of been great ... but what a pose ... I don't blame you for not getting tired of harrassing them ... I like seeing the shots of them !!!

They sure are cute, but I am a sucker for reptiles.

I love the first shot... such a character. But I have to ask...wht type of lizard is it? I think it is a type of Gecko.. but which species of Gecko is it?

My guess would be white line (white stripe) but I don't really see the stripe on the back so I am also guessing that I am incorrect =P

Crested gecko (Rhacodactylus ciliatus)

Erik, have you tried to make a light dome out of a translucent bucket/bowl? For such a small subject, I think the results would be great (and easier to set up). Plus, it would keep the little guy someone caged in :)

I like B&W. I think your version definitely has potential. Just not from me - I suck at B&W with PS. Gotta read the book I guess.

Erik, I posted some examples of dome/bowl lighting in this thread:

http://forums.photographyreview.com/showthread.php?p=187158&posted=1#post187158

post #17~19

Loupey:

Thanks for the link. I have about 20 feet of white cloth earmarked for that kind of softbox, but since I am moving in a month, it has yet to be assembled. I have a plethora of clamp-lamps (reptile hobby side effect) so I figure draping the cloth over my tripod and setting the lamps at left and right ought to give good lighting...the close-up lens and flash give pretty even lighting for macros, but I am more interested in creating uneven lighting, if you know what I mean. The cool-whip box is a good idea, but I think i'd have trouble lighting it for a 400mm shot without flash, and the wide angle macro wouldn't be very close if I had to work around the container.

Here's the color version, which is better?

http://www.sushigaijin.com/images/photos/cresty%20mama%20small.jpg

Both are wonderful, but I love the first one. If I had one of those, it's picture would never be taken, I'd be laughing too hard. :)

:lol: that first one should be a poster.