Fly Photography

[Curtis Fry]

I've been messing around with taking pictures of flies with my digital camera for the past while and wanted to pass along some info on what I've found to work fairly well for me.

I don't like using flash with my flies because it seems to wash out colors and make things ugly. On the other hand, taking pics with natural or bulb lighting didn't work as well as I had hoped either. Anyway, I saw a guy taking food photos at a restaurant a few months back using something like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/80cm-PHOTO-SHOOTING-TENT-LIGHT-CUBE-SOFT-BOX-SOFTBOX_W0QQitemZ330027790146QQihZ014QQcategoryZ79 008QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

So I ended up getting one of these things and fixing up some lights around the tent to take pics of my flies. It made it much easier to get good photos without worrying so much about the lighting. Now my digital camera can take very nice (at least IMO) photos of even small flies with good lighting and color.

Anyway, I'm sure this isn't new to many of you, but I figured I'd pass it along in case anyone is interested in taking pics of flies.

[PowerBaitHeppy]

A post like that, AND NO PICTURES TO GO WITH IT?????


Come on Curtis -- show us some of those pictures. Pictures of flies won't be categorized as hot spotting!

[Tyson]

Thanks Curtis. I've been wondering about this very thing the past few weeks. Can most digital cameras handle the macro photography of insects/flies? I need to get one. And one of those tents as well.

[Curtis Fry]

Well, here's one of the first ones I did: http://www.utahonthefly.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1217&d=1151468041

[Curtis Fry]

Thanks Curtis. I've been wondering about this very thing the past few weeks. Can most digital cameras handle the macro photography of insects/flies? I need to get one. And one of those tents as well.
I'd say most digital cameras above 3 MP (at least ones that are more than an AUTO point and shoot setting), will have the ability to take photos of small objects. I have a Canon Powershot S50 (5 MP about 3 years old I think) and it works well. The camera does have a "macro" feature with the little flower icon, but I mostly just try to get it to focus on the fly and then adjust the aperture and shutter to get the best photo. The way mine turn out, I usually go and edit and zoom in on the fly with Paint Shop Pro so I can crop it like I need.

I spent about 3 hours one night just taking photos, writing down the settings and then reviewing them on the computer to see which worked best. I know other people that just point and click without any fancy settings and it still turns out. IMO, the biggest problem for people has been the lighting.


Maybe BugEye can chime in here...I'm not an expert by any means...

[styan]

Calling BugEye, Come in BugEye....Over.

[BugEye]

Nice stuff Curtis. Well done. I have just one of these units as well for when I'm asked to photograph highly reflective objects, like jewelry or whatnot.

Thanks Curtis. I've been wondering about this very thing the past few weeks. Can most digital cameras handle the macro photography of insects/flies? I need to get one. And one of those tents as well.

The short answer to your question is yes. Just get as close as you can focus with a plain background and software can do the rest. Especially for the web where all you need is a 5x7ish image @ 72dpi. The real key, and beautifully illustrated by CF's example, is proper lighting. Specifically SOFT lighting. That's what the tent is doing, spreading out and softening the light. As shown, make it a tinch brighter on one side for depth, zero out the white balance, and Bob's your uncle. You're good to go.

The biggest beauty of digital photography is that handy little preview screen on the back. And on many cameras, you can zoom-in to check focus. Also, the ability to manually adjust your settings, and knowing what those settings will do, will drastically improve your images and reduce the amount of time you spend on the computer (and away from your beloved LP and UoTF...Tyson.)

Hope this helps.

[Jason]

Nice Curtis. I may have to get one for myself. I actually created something similar but out of a card board box with white paper lining the inside. It works fine but its in the way. That thing looks like it would fold up nicely out of the way.

[Curtis Fry]

Yeah, this thing folds up into a small disc about 10" in diameter. I just stick my smaller vise in the tent with a fly, set up the camera on a tri-pod outside the tent, adjust the background I want and then shoot away. I usually set the tent on my tying table or something where I can adjust the tripod (legs resting on the floor) and see the fly without too much effort.

I took pics of about 20 stillwater flies a few days ago and they turned out surprisingly good. Compared to what I'd been able to do without the tent, it's "light" years ahead....

[Lonnie]

Curtis,

One other thing. Yesterday you said you took notes about exposures etc. Most cameras save this info automatically with the jpeg (look for exif info). If you get a good photo editor (picsa is free from google), you can diplay that info. It's a built in note taker....

[Curtis Fry]

You know, I totally forgot about that. Paint Shop Pro does indeed have that information. Well I needed practice with my handwriting anyway....

[«°Ñøvã°»]

Found this low budget tent on the net for all you budget minded swappers. Looks perty simple to make

[My Tight Line]

Hey Curtis.....What's your version of a Red Headed Stepchild Nymph and do you have a picture of it? A buddy at work ties em but he moved and I have yet to see it on any site to buy em.....it's an ugly looking thing but its a great fly and I want to learn to tie em but I need a picture to go off by.

serious question by the way :^)

[Curtis Fry]

Hey Curtis.....What's your version of a Red Headed Stepchild Nymph and do you have a picture of it? A buddy at work ties em but he moved and I have yet to see it on any site to buy em.....it's an ugly looking thing but its a great fly and I want to learn to tie em but I need a picture to go off by.

serious question by the way :^)

http://www.rainysflies.com/pages/detail.asp?pic=MR001&picname=R. Murphy's Red-Headed Step Child

[My Tight Line]

http://www.rainysflies.com/pages/detail.asp?pic=MR001&picname=R. Murphy's Red-Headed Step Child

Thanks....not the fly I was looking for but thanks for the looking. I guess there are many versions and I will just have to Red Neck it together somehow.

[cheech]

Here's one with a red head.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e67/cpierce0311/flies/IMG_0053-2.jpg

[Grizz]

Here's one with a red head.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e67/cpierce0311/flies/IMG_0053-2.jpg


That's purdy Clark.

peace

[cheech]

That's purdy Clark.

peace

Speakin of purdy.... or ugly.

I will have your flies done this weekend. I'll be tying well into March for a bunch of other stuff, but you are on deck right now.

[My Tight Line]

Here's one with a red head.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e67/cpierce0311/flies/IMG_0053-2.jpg


It is very nice indeed........the one I'm looking for is a very ugly and has a Scud/Sow look to it. It has Silver, Orange and Red dubbing. Kind of looks like your Big Sow bug Cheech but a bit fatter and less of the hook showing. No worries.....I will watch the Movie Annie and see if I figure something out.

[Grizz]

Speakin of purdy.... or ugly.

I will have your flies done this weekend. I'll be tying well into March for a bunch of other stuff, but you are on deck right now.

No worries you self professed master of fly tying with a grand total of 100 Billion hours under his belt............

;-)

peace

[cheech]

No worries you self professed master of fly tying with a grand total of 100 Billion hours under his belt............

;-)

peace

You wanted a bunch of these right?

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e67/cpierce0311/flies/catpuke.jpg

[Grizz]

You wanted a bunch of these right?

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e67/cpierce0311/flies/catpuke.jpg

In multiple sizes please

peace

[Curtis Fry]

No worries you self professed master of fly tying with a grand total of 100 Billion hours under his belt............

;-)

peace

LOL...you're alright Grizz...

[cheech]

It is very nice indeed........the one I'm looking for is a very ugly and has a Scud/Sow look to it. It has Silver, Orange and Red dubbing. Kind of looks like your Big Sow bug Cheech but a bit fatter and less of the hook showing. No worries.....I will watch the Movie Annie and see if I figure something out.

It's hard to cover up a #8 owner skeeter hook

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e67/cpierce0311/flies/bigolsow.jpg

[My Tight Line]

It's hard to cover up a #8 owner skeeter hook

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e67/cpierce0311/flies/bigolsow.jpg


Almost.......size 16 hook. Needs to be a bit more fatter with more dubbing. However this fly looks hot.

[Foamy8]

Speaking of photos, has anyone had time to upload the midge swap yet? I would do it, but my camera isn't too good w/ macro. I'm sure it's operator trouble though.

[cheech]

Speaking of photos, has anyone had time to upload the midge swap yet? I would do it, but my camera isn't too good w/ macro. I'm sure it's operator trouble though.

I might could do it this week. I'll get on it.

[F/V Gulf Ventur]

When I shoot REALLY tight, SLR, I have started fooling around with 100mmm micros leans. I helps give you a "blurred" background and a shorter depth of field. Suttle soft light is always better, just like shooting outside, mid-day bright light is harsh , sunrise and set has a nice even softer light so should the bulb you use for indoors.

[Foamy8]

No biggie, get Grizz's flies done first. He will enjoy them more than we'll enjoy pictures.

[«°Ñøvã°»]

You wanted a bunch of these right?

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e67/cpierce0311/flies/catpuke.jpg

Looks like egg suckin' lesbians

No offense there Mike tee hee