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Mating Blues


Mating Blues
Photo Information
Copyright: Art Roberts (Art_R) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 201 W: 16 N: 483] (1995)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-06-20
Categories: Insects
Camera: Nikon D 80, AF-S VR Micro Nikkor 105mm w/ TC20EII, 62mm UV
Exposure: f/16, 1/200 seconds
Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-06-20 19:10
Viewed: 402
Points: 26
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Hi Folks , today I have this pair of mating blue butterflies , they where too busy with each others company to pay much mind to me :-)

after these two where done at mating I watched as one literally dragged the other round and round these leaves as they tried to separate. it was kind of comical to watch.

Lycaenidae

today I tried some thing new with my camera using the 105mm macro plus 2x converter , and the sb-600 speedlight , I set my ISO to 100 , made manual settings of f/16 , 1/200 and set the flash to TTL.

TTL is the flashes auto setting , it actually flashes twice very quickly the first being a modeling flash , the second being adjusted in accordance with the detected return light. I have discovered that this is a very easy way to set up the camera to be forgiving of any setting that registers underexposed in natural light , I can change my aperture value up to f/32 ( at 1/200 ISO100) or speed my shutter up , with out having to compensate , these settings are some what dependent on shooting distance , but with macro it is pretty much always close right ?

I had tried this before but found many images where a bit to dark , the TTL was measuring for the whole scene and leaving subjects a bit too dark particularly if they where sitting on a bright flower , so today I tried it with the flash set to a +1 step adjustment.

shooting most of the day at f16 to f22 with a shutter between 1/200 to 1/320 , I manged all of my shots hand held , unlike most days I had very few blurry images , also in terms of exposure , I did still get a few that where a touch dark , however I never one time got so much as a spot of overexposure, which when shooting in a priority mode is a bit of a problem on my camera.

bottom line on the sb-600 speedlight , and the nikon d80's ability to control the flash is , WOW , I cant even begin to say how impressed I am with it , the results I got today where that good. it was like having little to no restrictions , easily making settings I 'want' instead of 'have to make' , shooting from stark sunlight to dark shade with no adjustments and great exposure either way.

and of course with higher ISO values I can stretch that shutter speed or aperture even farther. which with a 210mm macro can come in very handy.

and for the shots that where a bit dark , there was still the option to increase the the output value of the speedlight , it is graduated in 1/3 steps.

though I am sure the nikon macro ring would work better , I saved quite a few dollars going with the sb-600 , and it works just fine even with the extra length from the converter.

another great thing I learned about the speedlight is that with a lens like the 18-200mm the flash will adjust its focus as I change the focal distance of the lens, the zoom length for the flash is 24-85mm , it even has a diffuser to spread light for wide angle shots , I just thought that was pretty darned cool.

thanks for stopping in
regards
Art
eqshannon, mamcg, jaycee, Gert-Paassen, Arjun, goldyrs, cicindela has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Superb image of nature in action Art. Well done with hard white colours and backing them very nice naturals...as is the act of mating and procreation. this is what nature is all about....natural.
Bob

Hi art,

beatiful picture from these butterfly's.
Good pov and dof.

Gert

  • Great 
  • nagraj Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 248 W: 44 N: 574] (2368)
  • [2008-06-20 23:40]

Hi Art,
This is beautiful image nodoubt, but you know what I would have liked, a little more space for the beauties. That again depends on indiviaul taste and liking. What impressed me is your good and notable experiment with your equipment, flash in particular. Your notes are very useful to me as I avoid flash in marco, for one thing they alter the natural colors and not to my liking always. Using flash has got its own advantages and thanks for highlighting them. I too got blues mating in my stock, may be will post it for you soon. TFS.
nagraj.v

  • Great 
  • efsus Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 299 W: 22 N: 363] (1878)
  • [2008-06-20 23:55]

Merhaba Art,
What a superb and interesting couple of butterflies in love that you have well captured! Composition, colors, details and sharpness are very good! Thanks for sharing.
Hüseyin

Hi Art,

Very nice picture of blues mating, I am impressed about the note you have given about macro photography and using flash. Thanks For sharing.:)

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1911 W: 8 N: 4976] (16095)
  • [2008-06-21 9:07]

Hi Art,

It must have been wonderful watching this couple. So nice to see the differences and similarities of the male and female. Both are beautiful with such pretty colors and markings. Excellent shot.
Jane

  • Great 
  • Arjun Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 307 W: 3 N: 783] (3692)
  • [2008-06-21 10:50]

hi art,
Wonderful picture of this couple
TFS

Great shot Art, the colours and details are spot on...the composition excellent, I like this very much, one of your best....

A velvet effect, and so neat! Amazing.
Ciao, Diana

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2008-06-21 21:14]

Hello Art

Well captured
The frame filling composition is well thought out.
Lovely rich colours and excellent use of the light.
The colours are natural and vivid.
The pov and dof are well done.
Well timed, chasing down butterflies is no easy chore,well done.
TFS

Rob

A superb image, Art...The compo looks more like a mirror image...
Very well composed and captured!
Goldy

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1107 W: 6 N: 3063] (11326)
  • [2008-06-22 10:50]

Hi Art,you was lucky to found this situation and a great photographer to take that so perfectly,just my best compliments for this little artwork,have a nice Sunday,Luciano

Hello Art!
This is a very nice picture of two Lycaenidae butterflies during "this special moment" :) I like details and very good DOF. Control of focus is really professional in this photo :)
By the way, just for fun, please feel free to watch pictures from my theme "Insect Kamasutra" :>
Regards,
Radomir

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