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7-spotted lady beetle (2) (Coccinella septem-punctata)

My son Matthias caught this ladybug on a walk through nature on a sunny Sunday, and I found it an excellent candidate for a glamorous photo session at home in my special "bug" macro setup. The ladybug was put in a small box and set free in the larger photo box once we got home. I had to activate the insect a bit though, as it was sitting comfortably, but in an ugly pose to photograph. Once it started moving the ladybug showed itself from different angles so I was able to take many nice pictures. After the photo session I let Matthias set the insect free in our garden, so it could continue to go on with it's life... You can see details of the actual setup which I used to take these photos here).

Photos by Frank Panis

Shooting Data:
Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO200
Shutter speed: 1/320sec
Flash: SB-800 with diffuser dome on a remote tripod connected to the D70 with a SC-29 flash chord
Image: RAW, converted in Nikon editor, sharpening low, auto-contrast,  cropped to 1200 pixels and saved in JPEG.

Yellow on black

While sitting amongst my wife's flowers I noticed this yellow "orchid" type bunch of flowers which was hit by the only rays which reached that part of the "garden". The contrast of the vivid yellow against the dark background was striking. The shot was taken with fill in flash to allow for a further darkening of the background.

Photo by George J. Reclos

Shooting Data:
Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/250sec - f/8, AP mode
Flash: SB800, auto/return light detected
Image: JPEG processed in Photoshop CS, unsharp mask filter, curves to reduce the highlights, contrast to +15 and resized.

Red Stink Bug (Family: Pentatomidae)

While walking in the nearby mountain I noticed a vivid red dot amongst a sea of green leaves. Unfortunately, the only lens I had with me was the "general use" zoom lens, nevertheless I gave it a shot. Not as sharp as it would have been with a specialized macro lens but it still shows why it was a striking image. After all, not all photos come out as straight "A"s.

Photo by George J. Reclos

Shooting Data:
Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Tamron AF 28-300 f/3.5-6.3 at 155 mm.
Sensitivity: ISO200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/60sec - f/10, AP mode 
Flash: SB800, auto/return light detected
Image: JPEG processed in Photoshop CS, unsharp mask filter, curves to reduce the highlights and resized. Noise reduction in NeatImage using a NikonD70 noise profile for ISO200.

Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) 

This butterfly suddenly appeared when I was shooting other insects in my garden. I was able to shoot many photo's of this butterfly as it landed on a flower. When it flew to another flower it was almost impossible to follow it with a 180mm lens but I succeeded to capture it. Of course the extremely shallow DOF makes it very hard to have such a butterfly completely in focus, and the slow AF on such a macro lens isn't of help either. Of course being there at the right time with the right equipment is an essential condition, but above all I'll just have to conclude that it's a lucky shot! 

Photos by Frank Panis

Shooting Data (upper shot):
Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO400
Shutter speed: 1/1000sec
Flash: none
Image: RAW, converted in Nikon editor, sharpening low, contrast +15, then opened in PS7, de-noised, resized to 1200 pixels wide and added USM and saved in JPEG

Brimstone (2)

This butterfly suddenly appeared when I was shooting other insects in my garden. I was able to shoot many photo's of this butterfly as it landed on a flower. Here it sucks the nectar from the flower. The direct sunlight made the butterfly bright enough to ensure a fast shutter speed. 

Shooting Data:
Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO200
Shutter speed: 1/800sec
Flash: none
Image: RAW, converted in Nikon editor, sharpening low, contrast +15, cropped to 1200pixels, then opened in PS7 and added USM and saved in JPEG

Brimstone (3)

Shooting Data:
Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO200
Shutter speed: 1/640sec
Flash: none
Image: RAW, converted in Nikon editor, sharpening low, contrast +15, cropped to 1200pixels, then opened in PS7 and added USM and saved in JPEG

Taking off (Streptopelia  decaocto, Family: Columbidae; common name: collared  dove)

This pigeon uses to come and eat food left overs and is relatively unafraid of humans. I chose to sit at a distance with an 180mm macro lens which ensures maximum detail. The sunlight was filtered by the tent resulting in a completely even yet somehow dull illumination of the bird so I decided to use fill in flash which would also allow for a higher f/stop to be used. The slow shutter speed (1/60 sec) didn't stop the movement of the wings which is visible in the photo (the feathers of the wing at its lowest position are clearly seen). However, the use of the flash captured all the detail in the body of the bird which was still not moving. The position of the legs is definitely a matter of luck. One is already retracted while the other one still touches the iron bar helping the bird to take a slight slope before taking off. It is one of those moments which you can only enjoy in a picture since everything happens so quickly that makes it impossible for the human eye to record.

Photo by George J. Reclos

Shooting Data:
Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/60sec - f/8, AP mode
Flash: SB800, auto/return light detected
Image: JPEG processed in Photoshop CS, unsharp mask filter, curves to reduce the highlights and resized.

European house cricket (Acheta domestica)

One day I saw this cricket in the garden, and of course I could not just say hi and let it continue it's journey. Immediately I started thinking about the macro pictures that I could make of this insect, so I halted it and "imprisoned" the cricket in my empty plastic ice cream box. This box is closed with a thin glass plate that also allows to make nice pictures of this bug. After the "photoshoot" we released the cricket nicely back into the garden on the exact location where we found it.

Photos by Frank Panis

Shooting Data:
Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO200
Shutter speed: 1/400sec
Flash: SB-800 with diffuser dome on a remote tripod connected to the D70 with a SC-29 flash chord
Image: RAW, converted in Nikon editor, sharpening low, auto-contrast,  cropped to 1200 pixels and saved in JPEG.

Family: Compositae Genus: Chrysanthemum (Asian variety)

Some Chrysanthemum flowers created a white spot in an otherwise dull environment. The flowers had opened the day before for the first time so they were still in prime shape. Direct sunlight was falling sidewise so the use of a flash was necessary to avoid a dark and a bright zone on the flowers. I selected the "balanced" option on the flash unit, which I rarely use, to illuminate the scene looking for a natural but balanced lighting on both sides. Surprisingly, very little needed to be done during processing this shot in Photoshop. The use of a macro lens helped to capture enough detail on the flowers.

Photo by George J. Reclos

Shooting Data:
Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/100 sec - f/8, AP mode
Flash: SB800, auto/return light detected (TTL/BL mode)
Image: JPEG processed in Photoshop CS, unsharp mask filter, curves to reduce the highlights and resized.

Yellow on black

It is usually subjects with contrast which get our attention while subtle colors and shapes pass unnoticed. This flower was almost overlooked during that photo session. It was actually because of a bee that it got my attention. Before switching to a macro lens (to get some close up photos of the bee) I decided to get some shots of it with the 50 mm Nikkor lens which is one of the sharpest lenses available for everyday use for Nikon cameras. Although some detail may have been lost the tremendous depth of field of this lens rewarded me with a very nice photo. It is one of the very rare photos that I relied on the auto focus function of the camera.

Photo by George J. Reclos

Shooting Data:
Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: AF Nikkor 50 mm f/1.8 D
Sensitivity: ISO200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/60 sec - f/10, AP mode
Flash: SB800, auto/return light detected (TTL/BL mode)
Image: JPEG processed in Photoshop CS, unsharp mask filter and resized.

Apis mellifera, Family: Apidae

This is a photo that I really loved both while taking it and then when I saw it on my monitor. The bee couldn't have been at a better position and the subtle colors create something like a frame for it. There was enough light at that moment but I decided to use the flash anyway. After viewing it on my monitor, I can't tell where the natural light stops and the artificial light starts, they blend fantastically. Of course, you need to be there with the right equipment to take this sort of photo which demands some preparation by you, but on the other hand, you may well spend a whole day walking and never come across this scene. In sort, you need some luck, too. The 90 mm macro lens was the right lens for this shot. Perhaps the 180 mm would give me more flexibility and the chance of a second shot. However, I am not sure I would get this photo if I wasted those precious seconds to change lenses.

Photo by George J. Reclos

Shooting Data:
Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/500 sec - f/4, AP mode
Flash: SB800, auto/return light detected (TTL/BL mode)
Image: JPEG processed in Photoshop CS, unsharp mask filter and resized.

Cyclamen graecum, Family: Primulaceae

I am almost sure most people have come across this beautiful flower which grows in the wild, in places, which sometimes seem absolutely hostile for plants. Sometimes you see them coming out from crevices which barely have 5 cm of soil in them. It was a cloudy day and a heavy rain had fallen some hours ago. I took many pictures of those cyclamens but only a few of them came out the way I wanted - all cyclamens in focus and at least some droplets razor sharp.

Photo by George J. Reclos

Shooting Data:
Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/80 sec - f/13, AP mode
Flash: SB800, auto/return light detected (TTL/BL mode)
Image: JPEG processed in Photoshop CS, unsharp mask filter and resized.

Crocus cancellatus, Family: Iridaceae (white variety)

Another loner is this Crocus flower. In this case it was almost impossible to miss it. A white spot in the middle of a sea of brown pine needles. The bright orange stem of the plant was used in antiquity as a color dye especially for textiles. I don't know if this species is endemic in Greece (it would really surprise me) but it is definitely a very beautiful flower only seen during October - November.

Photo by George J. Reclos

Shooting Data:
Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/160 sec - f/8, AP mode
Flash: SB800, auto/return light detected (TTL/BL mode)
Image: JPEG processed in Photoshop CS, unsharp mask filter and resized.

Chrysanthemum sp., Family: Compositae and Tegenaria civilis, Family: Araneidae

The tiny spider is using this flower as a place to hunt. When I viewed the photo in PS I noticed it and I immediately grabbed the camera and got back to the flower - hoping the spider was still there. Even though the spider is too small in comparison to the flower, still this picture is a nice composition - and a lucky shot of course.

Photo by George J. Reclos

Shooting Data:
Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/60 sec - f/16, AP mode
Flash: SB800, auto/return light detected (TTL/BL mode)
Image: JPEG processed in Photoshop CS, unsharp mask filter and resized.

Tegenaria civilis, Family: Araneidae

The tiny spider was still resting in almost the same place so it was not difficult to find it and get some shots, progressively increasing the magnification. This particular shot was taken at the minimum distance of the macro lens which means a life-size photo. Minutes later, the spider moved to the core of the flower and was not visible anymore. A nice little creature, measuring less than 5 mm and still "wearing" this beautiful dress. The camera was mounted on a tripod to reduce vibration and was fired with a remote control. A couple of hand-held shots came out blurry which proves the necessity of a tripod for large magnification photography.

Photo by George J. Reclos

Shooting Data:
Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/60 sec - f/16, AP mode
Flash: SB800, auto/return light detected (TTL/BL mode)
Image: JPEG processed in Photoshop CS, unsharp mask filter and resized.

Myzus sp., Family: Aphidae

There is a limit to how close you can get and the level of magnification you can achieve with a conventional macro - camera combination. These tiny aphids prove this. Measuring far less than 5 mm (my guess is about 2 mm) proved to be a bit too small even for a macro lens. I used the 90 mm macro lens with an 1.4X tele-converter to achieve the maximum possible magnification of 1.4 X life-size. It was evident that focusing should be on the spot since the depth of field - despite stopping the lens down to f/16 - would be paper thin so only one of the aphids would be in focus. The camera was mounted on a tripod and fired with a remote control to reduce vibration to an absolute minimum. The lens was set to its minimum focusing distance and the focusing was done be moving the camera - tripod complex back and forth till the largest aphid was in focus. Unlike the usual green colored aphids those were red / brown colored and it was the first time I saw them on our plants.

Photo by George J. Reclos

Shooting Data:
Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 with Kenko N-AFD Teleconverter TelePlus Pro300 -1.4X
Sensitivity: ISO200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/60 sec - f/16, AP mode
Flash: SB800, auto/return light detected (TTL/BL mode)
Image: JPEG processed in Photoshop CS, unsharp mask filter and resized.

Crocus cancellatus, Family: Iridaceae (light purple variety)

These two pictures were first taken with the eye and then with the camera. The flower made a striking contrast being on a ground covered with dead pine needles. The light purple color of the flower against this dull background felt like a call to take a picture. The flower itself couldn't show a better color combination. Light purple with orange and light blue with yellow. Since those are complementary colors the picture would definitely be eye catching - as was the flower. The only way to take this picture was by shooting the flower from above at an angle. Those two shots were the best among then 10 or so I took that day.

Photo by John G. Reclos

Shooting Data:
Camera: Nikon Coolpix 5700
Lens: set at 56.7 mm
Sensitivity: ISO100
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/60 sec - f/7.3, AP mode / macro setting.
Flash: fired

Image: JPEG processed in Photoshop CS, unsharp mask filter and resized.

Heros severum "rotkeil" fry

Well, we are aquarists and this is Malawicichlidhomepage, so why not add fish pictures in this section? The most remarkable thing on this picture is that this fish hatched from the egg only 24 days ago. These small cichlids only measure about 7 to 8 mm so I needed an 1:1 macro photo to get a decent image of them. Of course it's nearly impossible to shoot them in a 60cm deep tank as they constantly swim up and down and in and out of focus. My decision to install a small filter increased my success rate very much though. The small fish seem to feel very safe in the small gap between that filter and the glass, so they stay in this hide-out frequently, what buys me time to frame the fish, let the auto focus do it's job and gently press the shutter and obtain a very good picture! These fish are tiny, especially when you compare them to their 20X bigger parents, but you can see that their body structure is completed. Pigment spots on the body are already there and the pattern of stripes of the parents is also visible. The funny thing is that you can see the spine and bones in the body that is still transparent.

Photo by Frank Panis

Shooting Data:
Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Tamron SP AF 180mm f/3.5 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO400
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/500sec - f/20
Flash: SB-800 straight on the camera without diffuser

Image: RAW, converted in Nikon editor, sharpening low, autocontrast without colour change, cropped, denoised with Helicon, then opened in PS7, resized to 1200 pixels wide, added USM, saved in JPEG.

Autumn colors

I shot this picture only because it represents autumn in every pixel of it. The subtle colors, the decaying leaves, the new life which starts under it. The strange shape of the decaying leaves was the first thing I noticed. Then I realized that the background was also dead pine needles and in the middle of it, a small green leave belonging to another plant which will live and die during the cold season. The seasons follow each other and nature changes its dress with, or without our presence. This shot was taken on a day with heavy clouds, next to the trunk of a large pine tree so light was really very low. I had to use a flash unit, which, to my surprise, handled lighting in an excellent way.

Photo by George J. Reclos

Shooting Data:
Camera: Nikon D70
Lens: Tamron SP AF 90 mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1
Sensitivity: ISO200
Shutter speed - aperture: 1/60 sec - f/13, AP mode
Flash: SB800, auto/return light detected (TTL/BL mode)
Image: JPEG processed in Photoshop CS, unsharp mask filter and resized.

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