Syrphid Fly

Comments and suggestions welcome.

You must have really hold your breath for this one!

looks so delicate with the colors like it is made of glass

Would I be wrong to think that the Bee is actually scanned and added to a flower photo? Either way the clarity and detail of it is exceptional.

OMG Jerry if this is a "shot"...its one of the most beautiful fly shots ever. Opening it i had to focus cause thought it was a jewell, no joke.

 

The fly from "beyond" thats what this is. Please tell me its not a manip and really what it appears....i have the exact same lens and its junk..better get it looked at by them....wowowowwo 7/7

This is not a combined/manipulated image. The trick is to use a ring flash to get the brill1ant colors and sharpness. If you browse Mark Plonsky's portfolio you will find a lot of photos better than this one IMO. Anyway, I am quite satified with it but I also know there are still lots of things that I can improve in my insect macro shots. Thank you all for your comments and praises and please keep them coming.

Jerry if u improve anymore i will throw my Nikon out.. its a relief to hear and is a testimony to prove that PS tricks are not needed to produce great beauty...even if a fly.

Paul, here is the equipment list: AF

Macro Nikkor 105mm/f2.8, Nikon SB-21 (or SB-29), Nikkor TC-20E 2X converter, monopod, and most importantly, Artificial Tear Drops for eyes (LOL).

Excellent details and wonderful colors!

Biliana

Beautiful colors and excellent details - very well done!

 

Cheers, allon.

....how the colors of the fly do stand out against the colors of the flower in the background. The clarity coused by the flash unit is wonderful. The only thing that keeps me from giving you the highest possible rating is that I would like to have seen a little more DOF on the fly to bring the left wing and back end of body in focus to. A slightly different angle on the fly while taken this pic would also have helped to get the fly in total focus. Nevertheless beautiful shot....Best regards, Harry

That's incredible! Wonderful shot !

Love the transparent luminance of the body against the pink. The precision of the shape draws me in to examine more closely. Mush agree with Harry re: DOF as it cries out for sharpness across all planes - however, having attempted so many of these kind of images, I understand the wonderful work you have done here and applaud!

If the bee can talk it will say a million thanks to you. I don't mind just to carry bags for you for one or two years just to be inspired and learn. Hahaha.... Thank you so much.

for all the comments, suggestions and praises. Insect macro photography is not an easy subject and it requires a lot of patience, appropriate equipments, proper exposure settings and some luck to create a good photograph. I'll be more than glad to share my experiences with you and please feel free to give me any feedbacks anytime. And Spencer, you are way too modest. I know that I can learn a lot from you too. Consider a person who just started serious photography 3 months ago, your works have already shown that you are gifted!

Nicely done Jerry! U put a sweet sugary smile on my face, and i'm allergic 2 bees*

magnificent 7/6