Macro Photography

Went out with friends to explore the world of macro photography at the Botanical Gardens. A friend of mine (Sam) lent me his Sigma 105mm macro because I didn't have any real macro lens of my own and frankly never did macro photography. Thank you Sam, you are a generous man.

I had previously posted here result of a little macro (micro in Nikon's language) photography experiment where a 85mm prime is coupled with a 50mm prime back to front. The magnification power of that set up is approaching microscopic level (about 2.65cm diagonally in FX format). That is more than 50% more powerful than the 105mm macro lens.


Taking a macro photo of the face of a watch which is rather flat is one thing, taking a macro photo of a flower or insect is a different matter altogether, I very quickly realised.

Trying to shoot such as bees and ants, I found it extremely difficult to focus and maintain that focus handheld. Eventually, I gave up automatic focus and went manual. Using rocking motion of the body to bring the subject into focus. Boy, I felt like I was drunk! Because the depth of field was so narrow, I keep winding the aperture number up until it went all the way to f/22 (hence the dust spots) and background details.

Thanks to another friend, Bronson, a great photographer by the way, for the many tips, I think I will do better next time. Must try to catch a bee in flight!

Anyway, for the time being, this is what I have. Enjoy. :)




PS The first pic is not a macro photo, just one that is shot with a macro lens. I hear macro lens can be good for portrait, etc as well. So here you go. :)

PS Sorry, I didn't bother to remove dust spots from the pics. If you know the name of the insect on the leaf in the second pic, appreciate if you would leave a comment and let me know. Thanks a lot!

Making friend with a Wasp

A wasp climbed into my bathroom probably through the exhaust fan. I am not afraid of wasp, used to play with them when I was small. Yes, how stupid can I be.. :)

Captured it in a little travel toiletry case, I tried to release it into the back garden. It was then I realised that it was actually completely exhausted because it won't fly away... May be it was trapped in the roof without food for a long time before it found its way out. Being trapped in the plastic little box probably was a daunting experience also.

I decided to put a little bit of water in the box for it to drink. At first, it was afraid probably thinking I am trying to drown it, it retreated. But soon after that, it discovered how wonderful the water was and started lapping it up, I am not kidding, lapping it up like a dog! After that, with both front legs, it started wiping down its head, and then the whole mid-section (thorax). After that, it started using its hind legs to wipe down its abdomen and wings also. I never knew how far its legs can reach until now.

Wanted to capture this amazing moment on film but knew it is probably not possible. Anyway, my wife made a quick dash to get her camera. Just as she went, the wasp took off. Albeit a little disappointed, we were much more delighted that it is now recharged and able to take off!

Sorry, no picture of the wasp for you. You have to put that picture together using your imagination. It is a beautiful picture. :)

Butterflies & Meerkats at the Melbourne Zoo

It has been over a month since my last confession (I mean post). Been sick with a dry cough for over a month, and I just came back from a short holiday in Tasmania (which helped me to recover a great deal). Anyway, want to post a few pictures to share with everyone.

First topic is Melbourne Zoo. Those of you who followed my blog would know that I went there in March. One picture I sadly missed then was picture of butterflies. This was my priority one this time. Unfortunately, I quickly learnt that it was not easy. I don't have a macro lens, didn't know how to follow these butterflies and other useful information (I later learnt) for this kind of photography. Anyway, here is one of them. Hope you enjoy it. It has been enhanced.

The tiger and dolphin enclosures were closed but there were a number of other really interesting attractions like lion feeding, female elephants fighting over a male elephant. Watch out for them when you plan to visit the Melbourne Zoo.

I love the look of these little meerkats. They are real exhibitionists. Enjoy.