More fun with new macro lens - Tree Frog.

I'm convinced that macro photography will definitely cause one to lose their sanity. It's raining outside right now, and I just went out with a flashlight looking for the large snails we normally have out at night. Instead, I found this fellow, strategically stuck to the wall of my garage near the light. So there I am, standing in the rain with a golf umbrella over my gear, shooting this! He was obviously hunting any insects that flew toward the light. The first is barely cropped (just a little off the left), and the second is obviously a crop of the first. At this point, I'm just playing....But I can definitely see the addiction. There's not much to this image either artistically or compositionally.....But dang is it cool and fun! You should be able to see the embedded exif, but if not: Canon 1DsMII, f/32, 1/250th, ISO 200, Flash - Canon 580 EX on off-shoe cord (I hand held the flash at about 45 degrees to his face). I can see what Brad means when he talks about lighting. I need to buy a ring unit.

http://canonbob.smugmug.com/photos/160602401-O.jpg

http://canonbob.smugmug.com/photos/160602482-O.jpg

Welcome to the wonderful, frustraiting world of macro photography!!! Get yourself a set of extension tubes and let the madness really begin! It sure is a fun game to play tho!

Love the first shot, what a super little creature.

Yes definaletly invest in the tubes, i have'nt looked back since loupey advised getting them.

Wow, what a super shot.

f/32??? I am unbelievably jealous!:cryin: Great shot's Bob!

Macro photography is like cancer. It get a hold of you and just keeps growing and growing. I'd like to have seen a picture of you and the umbrella. Been there done that and a lot worse. By the way really great images.

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. This is a whole new genre for me, so lot's of experimenting and brackting. Advice and critiques are welcome and appreciated. I may make my first attempts at "serious" work this weekend. Will probably start with some flowers (and maybe the insects on them) to get more of a feel. I am ordering the Canon ring light and adapter, and will probably get some tubes too (open to recommendations on which tubes to get). I'm also getting a second 580EX flash, and will shoot a master/slave setup a lot for more lighting options regarding macro work.

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Originally Posted by Canon_Bob

I am ordering the Canon ring light and adapter, and will probably get some tubes too (open to recommendations on which tubes to get). I'm also getting a second 580EX flash, and will shoot a master/slave setup a lot for more lighting options regarding macro work.

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That's a lot of equipment to carry out into the field.

My advice is to carry less (so that you're lighter and faster on your feet) and concentrate more on finding the unique specimen and setting rather than trying to create a moving studio. Many shots I take are at unbelieveable angles and situations and having even one extra hand to work one off-camera flash or reflector is not possible.

IMO

Thanks Loupey. I think the ring light is a "must have". The other stuff is optional, but I'll probably go there anyway. The second 580 will primaril;y be for my bird feeders anyway, as I've been planning on building a nice lighting setup for that anyway. I shot some nice dragonflys this morning in "hand held" mode, and will post them shortly.