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This is cool. Great composition, and I like the lighting. It makes the skin crawl a little.

I'm trying to learn to take shots like this, but so far I've had little success. I met a guy who used a speedlite to knock out the background to create really pwerful macro shots like this, but stupidly didn't pay enough attention and I haven't been able to replicate it. Can you explain how you've done this for me please. As described above, or have you used a black background and top lighting? However you did it - I think it's great.