Fly photography

[Dan Harrison]

Got my hands on my first DSLR a Canon T3 with stock 18-55 lens and can't for the life of me take any quality macro shots of my flies. Was going to make a post up in the fly tying section but no luck my pics look terrible. Any help would be appreciated, Thanks.

[k.hanley]

Say hey Zen,
Here's a quick couple of observations. When you try working at the macro level it helps to use a tripod or some device to stabilize the camera (handheld is very tough). It also helps to use a cable or remote control to activate the camera. These make a huge difference more often than not.

There will be plenty of support here on the board and many more tips to utilize.
Cheers, ken

[jbird]

Congratulations Zen!

Ken is right on. Movement is a killer when taking still life shots. Remember photography revolves around light. Play around with some different light sources to get the look you want. You dont really want to use the flash or youll get bright spots and dark shadows.

Try shooting in Aperture Priority (A mode) And dial it down to the largest aperture your lens has (lowest number aperture...I'd guess aroung 3.5 with that lens).

Also dial down your ISO to no higher than 400.

Another option to using a remote shutter release is just use the self timer. This will elliminate camera shake and get you much sharper images.

If you post some of your pics we could probably help a little better. Plus, we love pictures, good or bad! :-)

[Dan Harrison]

Ok that makes sense i will have to buy a tripod. Guess macro needs the good stabilization, shows you how much i know. Any tips on background and lighting? Possible setting with the T3? I have only tried the auto macro setting. Thanks

[k.hanley]

No tripod? No sweat. Take a stack of books (or a box upside down). Add a large plastic freezer baggie filled 2/3 with dry beans (or oats). Set the bean bag on top. Place the camera on the bag. It's great tool to mold to fit your camera and offer a stable position to work for macro shots.

It's cheap. It's easy. It's mobile when necessary. Pro's use the technique all the time when they don't have access to all their hardware. I've used bean bags for decades in the field as well as in the home.

Enjoy!
Cheers, Ken

[Dan Harrison]

Thanks hanley and jbird I now have some things to try out. Hopfully i can come away with some non-embarrassing*pics to post. Now if i can just get my boys to sleep i will be in business.

[Mike McKenzie]

But if you're going to do a lot of Macro work though....Save up your $ and get this lens the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Auto Focus Lens ...It can't be beat!
Check it out here: http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses/100mm-macro.htm

Mike

[Adam Grace]

Zen, the lens that comes with your t3 has a longer "minimum focusing distance," this means that your camera cannot be too physically close to the fly when you try to shoot it. A tripod is always helpful, when using a tripod use a smaller aperture like f/20 and put your camera timer on, f/20 will give you more depth o field, making more of the fly in focus. Change the shooting mode to Av and adjust the aperture, with an ISO of 100, to reduce any possible grainy-ness. If that's above your capability then use the "flower" mode.

Plus your camera has "live view," you can place the lens in manual focus and use the button marked by a blue magnifying glass to zoom in on what you are focussing on, then move the camera closer or further away to try to get as close as possible. Look up "live view" in your Canon owners manual. Live view is great for still life photography!

Since your camera's lens can't get very close just focus with your camera as close as possible then simply crop the photo to make the fly larger in the frame of the picture. You have plenty of megapixels (12) to sacrifice.

Good luck - Adam

[Dan Harrison]

Thanks guys good info. Chironomids patterns that I tied up for pyramid give me a critique.

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n640/danharrison250/fly%20pyramid/IMG_0861.jpg
http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n640/danharrison250/fly%20pyramid/IMG_0862.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n640/danharrison250/fly%20pyramid/IMG_0863.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n640/danharrison250/fly%20pyramid/IMG_0864.jpg

http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n640/danharrison250/fly%20pyramid/IMG_0865.jpg

[Cmcculloch]

These look very good! You've got the macro technique down. I especially like the orange background for contrasts.

[Dan Harrison]

Thanks it is actually a cutting board I made in wood shop standing on end.

[jbird]

Nice zen! Those flies will be deadly. I like the double midge! Very interesting idea.

About the photography :-) Not bad at all! When you first asked your question, I didnt realize you were working with tiny flies. For some reason, my mind has been on bigger stuff lately. To get REALLY sharp images is going to be an excersize in patience with the lens you have. Photographing a subject that small in hi def is really going to require a true macro lens.

Heres something you can try for kicks to try to get your focus dead on those little things. Set up your camera on your tripod/beanbag/whatever. Hold a quarter in your fingers and rest the edge of it exactly on top of your fly. Now focus your camera on the quarter. Without moving the camera or the fly, switch off the auto focus. What youve done is given your camera a larger subject to find focus on and it will remain on it without hunting for focus on those tiny flies.

Experimentation, for me, is one of the funnest thing about having a good camera!

you have an awesome set up for all kinds of fun photography and the images youve posted beat the heck out of point and shoot results!