Macro Photography of Thomas Shahan

<p>I just came across the remarkable macro photography of insects by Thomas Shahan. Here is a link:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.lightstalking.com/macro-bugs">http://www.lightstalking.com/macro-bugs</a></p>

<p>This site contains links to Shahan's images on Flickr, and an interview with the photographer. I don't believe he is a member of Photo.net. If you like close-ups of bugs, take a look!</p>

<p>Incredible eye detail~ especially in the "Black Soldier Fly Head"...the last shot "Ugly Fly" looks like it's out of a horror movie...</p>

<p>Fantastic work, really well done. I used to really be into that kind of stuff, all shot on K25. Ben, do you know if that was digital or scanned slides? Just wondering.</p>

<p>Dave, it appears that Shahan was interviewed on the NBC Today Show this morning (I just learned this). Here is a link to a site with a video clip of the interview:</p>

<p><strong><a href="http://tinyurl.com/yj8sxo8">http://tinyurl.com/yj8sxo8</a></strong></p>

<p>Shahan uses a Pentax dSLR, generally with reversed prime lenses with extension tubes, and flash of course. It seems that equipment is the least of the difficulty. It is the patience, persistance and physical demands of hand-holding the gear for a long time that are crucial!</p>

<p>Good for him! I love to see young people get exposure and a break somewhere. Thanks Ben for the info.</p>

<p>Here is a page that has a photo of his macro rig (scroll down).... a Pentax DSLR, a reversed 28mm Bayonet Takumar, extension tubes, and a homemade softbox:</p>

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Thanks much Ben B & paul f for the links.

<p>I got inspired by this. I was out fixing my boat this morning and went to turn the water on and noticed a mantis on my rose bush. So I held off on the boat and went to get my camera and some macro gear to try some digi head shots on the D200. Well, not quite TS, lol, but they're decent. You can see them on my gallery under insects. I'll tell you my hands were a lot steadier at 25 than 50.</p>

<p>Pretty darn good for a first try after many years, Dave! Much as I would like to do this kind of photography, my physical limitations at age 68 (vision, stamina, steadyness...) do not inspire confidence.</p><div></div>

<p>Nice one Ben, spiders are my favorite! I'm just learning how to shoot with digital and post stuff, so it's gonna' be touch and go for a while for me. I was at first in a big distress because I wanted to scan some of my slides and black and white, but I really have no clue, so then I decided I'm just going to start all new stuff on digital and go from there. Sometimes I like just shooting the webs, they're so amazing. Enjoy</p>

<p>Thanks for posting this. My sister called to tell me about it since I love to do macro work. I would like to do stuff like this someday. I've ordered some extension tubes but may have to give reversing lenes a try.</p>