#18 Pale Morning Dun Emerger

Not much in the way of real bugs around here yet so I'm using fake ones for practice with my new macro lens. The fly, fyi, is almost exactly 1/2" long (and, no, I didn't tie it--the credit there goes to the Fly Shop in Redding California.)

 

I have to say that the experience of taking this shot (the most acceptable to date of a great many attempts) has given me a great deal of respect for good macro photography which, I've learned, is quite demanding.

 

 

Helpful tips would be greatly appreciated.

How far were you from the lure and what metering were you using?

 

With non-flat objects, distance to your subject and the right metering selection (spot, pattern, etc. depending on your camera's capabilities) will determine what's in focus and if the focus "works."

 

Focus is definitely the hardest part of using the macro for those really up close shots. It took me 3 months of practice before I could get a lizard head.

 

Hope somebody with some REAL knowledge answers you. I'm still from the "try this, try that" school of photography :)

 

Why not post your question on one of the forums with this as an attachment?

 

Good luck, shoot & share, later gator.

 

BTW - great title.

I see we attend the same school! Let us sing the alma mater: "O, *^%#! &%^# *&^%~! *##^ *`^& *%^$!"

 

As to metering, spot (as always) Thanks for asking that question--it's (yet another) facet of the discipline I need to understand better and I can see how it can be especially critical in macro.

 

BTW You'll be pleased to know that I got called for jury duty yesterday, used the waiting time to read up on pp, and actually used some of what I learned on this shot.

A composition suggestion: stick the hook into the side of a wine cork and then try different views of it standing or laying down but with the fly always off the surface. Make sure it is a cork from an expensive bottle of wine and not some rot-gut stuff.

 

PS, Shoot image BEFORE drinking bottle of wine...

Thanks for the tip, Shawn! Maybe, instead of a wine cork, I should use the cork grip of one of my fly rods to be more, you know, thematic.

YES!!! Me being a wine drinker and not a fisherman it is easy to see where we both are coming from. 8~)#

I tie flies and keep telling myself it would be a nice little project to try doing a few shots of them. I see you have beat me to it. Your rod cork is a nice idea. I like Shawn's suggestion I may give that a try, although I will have to settle for cheap wine. The erasure on top of a pencil is another possibility. I know you did not tie this fly but if you do any fly tying your tying vice would work well. Another idea I have considered is floating the fly in a bowl of water. The obvious extra challenge being that you don't want the fly moving.... or do you ? I just got another idea.... thanks Dave.

 

A couple of suggestions for macro, which may or may not already be obvious. Use a tripod for 'set up' shots like this. You have an incredibly narrow dof to work with in macro, if you want the fly in focus front to back stop down the lens. Don't forget that focus travels 1/3 forwards and 2/3rd back when you choose your point of focus. If you have mirror lock up on your camera, use it. Use either a timer or cable release or both, a tripod is not much help if you shake the camera with your finger when you push the shutter or the mirror is slamming up when the shutter opens. Most importantly have fun playing around with your macro lens.

Thanks Gord. It seems an effective pattern since I've gotten several rises ;>)

 

I did most of what you advise (tripod and remote.) I guess what impressed me is how shallow the dof becomes when you work this close to the subject (I had to go into the f20's to get most of this in focus) and, therefore, how much light is required. At these tolerances, the "1/3, 2/3" rule takes on added significance. I can tell this is going to be one of those exercises I'll learn a lot from--both in terms of camera technique and pp.

 

BTW, I do tie from time to time (mostly ugly stuff for smallmouth) but nothing smaller than #8 and certainly nothing I'd want anyone but a fish to see.

 

 

Shawn, I just saw Josh Root's "bead-head nymph in cork". I'm sorry: that's uuuugly! But maybe he doesn't drink the right stuff.

Dave, nice shadows & harmony tones, very interesting & clear still life! Best regards

Thanks, Richard--it's a whole new, intimidating range of photographic challenges so your encouragement is much appreciated!