Fly photos

[Marty]

Been working on some fly photos, What do you guys use for a background and light.

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff35/martyoh/swap1001.jpg

[mtbbrian]

That's a good picture.
You can see the fly clearly and it's relatively sharp, what more could you ask for.
I haven't shot any of my flies yet, but all I have is a digital P&S camera and the two lights I have at my bench.
What's the fly anyway? Is it a steelhead fly?
Brian

[UtahFlyGuy]

It looks nice Marty. Have you considered a lightbox?

http://ourmedia.org/node/253481

[Marty]

Looks like a fun project. I already have the lights just need the box. The fly above was shot in natural light and as you can see the wing is a little dark. Thanks for the tip.

Brain, It’s a steelhead fly I use for winter fish. I have made a few changes on it over the years but it is patterned after a fly a caught my first Sauk river fish on. The wing is made up of orange, red and black goose shoulder with 1 fiber of speckled bustard.

[JayMorr]

Marty what kind of camera are you shooting with? I really like using a bounce card. Here is a link discussing some techniques for bouncing light:

http://www.abetterbouncecard.com/

I also use a light box.


JayMorr

[Marty]

Sony Cyber-shot 8.1 it has been a fun little camera, but with all this dam talk about photography I went out and bought a Canon xti. It should be here wed. It will be interesting to see if I can get it to work the way I want. Haven’t played with one since I retired my AE1.

[mtbbrian]

Haven’t played with one since I retired my AE1.

You're dating yourself there!
;-)
I remember when the AE1 was a new camera too.
Have fun with the new camera, I am sure your pics will be much improved.
Brian

[BugEye]

Great shot Marty.

I might suggest a key light for a little detail & direction. Perhaps a bare (white balanced) bulb set way back, above, and slightly off to one side to mix with the natural light.

Good stuff!

[lewie]

Here's another site for you to peruse. The box looks a bit simpler than the one in the above link, but you be the judge.
http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/07/how-to-diy-10-macro-photo-studio.html

[BugEye]

Here's another site for you to peruse. The box looks a bit simpler than the one in the above link, but you be the judge.
http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/07/how-to-diy-10-macro-photo-studio.html

That's the one. Simple, cheap, effective.

[Marty]

Just took my new camera out of the box, have no clue how to use it, here is the first shot out of the Canon compared to the Sony. Still working on a box.

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff35/martyoh/new007.jpg

[Marty]

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff35/martyoh/swap1001.jpg

[royalwulff]

nice fly marty.

[UtahFlyGuy]

The lighting looks good on your 1st photo Marty.

[BugEye]

...have no clue how to use it,...

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff35/martyoh/new007.jpg

I beg to differ. Very nice Marty!

[Nich]

Hell yeah nice shot!

[cardiac]

Marty, and the rest of the interested guys, I built this very cheap. Works great too.
http://www.pbase.com/wlhuber/light_box_light_tent

[cje04]

Nice shot Marty.

Was that shot with a kit lens?

[Marty]

What is a kit lens, you have to remember I am new to this.

Canon EFS 18-55

Jaymore, my wife wants to know how you are going to pay for my new hobby.

[F/V Gulf Ventur]

What is a kit lens, you have to remember I am new to this.

Canon EFS 18-55


A camera "body" that comes with a lens; standard all purpose lens.... although I am assuming. (You can purchase a "body" separately)

Great looking fly! Nice shot, I like your choice on the background color. White is arcade.

[JayMorr]

What is a kit lens, you have to remember I am new to this.

Canon EFS 18-55

Jaymore, my wife wants to know how you are going to pay for my new hobby.

The kit lens in my opinion is ok if you are just getting into the Digi world. However, if you are going to get serious about shooting....save the money and put it towards a nicer lens. Canon's EFS 18-55 lens kit is a good entry level lens and is an "all-around" type of lens.

If you are asking for my opinion on it, (I own one) I use it and do not have anything better in this mm range.

Marty, do I need to be worried at the Fly Tying Expo this year??? I am sorry if I got you in trouble! ;)


In regards to saving and getting a better lens in this range, you can probably pick up a better lens through B&H and you do not need all the other crap that comes with the kit. Here is my suggestions:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/206435-GREY/Canon_6470A006_Zoom_Wide_Angle_Telephoto_EF.html
or maybe this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/279582-USA/Canon_8806A002_17_40mm_f_4L_USM_Lens.html
It is worth it! ;)

BTW, Nice photo!
JayMorr

[Marty]

Jaymore I am pretty sure my wife will not make the trip down to the big city for the expo so you are off the hook. But I will give the new photography forum the credit for motivating me to improve my photo skills. I am very fortunate to have a brother-in-law that knows what he is doing and is willing to teach a rooky. Thanks for all the positive feedback and I am on my way down stairs to build a tent.

That first shot was taken with the 18-55 with a Macro screwed on the front. The camera was on the auto macro setting and the flash went off. Dec has been coaching me on how to use the manual settings to improve the depth of field. If I get a good shot of a fly today I will post it.

[JayMorr]

Awesome! I can't wait to see the shots! Let me know how your lightbox works out. I have been experimenting with a few different setups. There are some cool little tutorials out there on building light boxes/light tents.

Great work!


JayMorr

[Marty]

Still having problems getting it sharp.

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff35/martyoh/hopperlegs.jpg

The eye and the point, driving me nuts, but I am getting more depth

[UtahFlyGuy]

Whatever you do Marty dont use the zoom if your on the macro setting on the camera.