How I shoot MACRO - New Accessories and Lighting 2010 Jul

After trying Stephen lighting @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/9578475@N02/

i. light tent @ http://liewwk-macro.blogspot.com/2010/03/how-i-shoot-macro-new-start.html
ii. concave + light tent @ http://liewwk-macro.blogspot.com/2010/05/how-i-shoot-macro-new-accessories-and.html

I am happy with the results for few months, and managed to modify the light sources as below
i. concave & V
ii. concave, V & Light tent
iii. UV & Light tent


some result as below
i. concave, V & Light tent




ii. UV & Light tent


(will share more details and results after I back from MAL)

Even I am happy with the result above, but I still need to do something to avoid the light tent which may not suitable for some of the shy/sensitive bugs....so I am starting another version - BVCL version

all are same as "V" (secret V) with concave & Light tent but I add on a bracket to tent to move the light little backward so I can create bigger diffuser (so my ylight source is bigger and softer) until a point I can remove the Light tent.....

here is the picture of the setup, it look huge but light and result will be share later (stay tune)

sorry for the picture quality as using my HTC .. WB and quality all out ..

.... more result of the new lighting will be share ............................................


[updated 13 Jul 2010 after 1st try on the setup on field.... 

- light look great as other combination discuss above
- little bulky (still)
- while MP-E65 change magnification, it create in-convenient where I need to adjust both site for different angle and distance
- better shadow and highlight 


will share result later

Review - Results of 2010 - MACRO light test plan 1

not much things found today but lucky got similar object while I use old light setup ( puffer - pop-up flash diffuser put in front of mt-24 flash head)

let's see the light reflection on the damselfly

1. old shot with puffer diffusers
7:1 shot - hot spot found on eye with the mt flash head reflection


should be very close to ~5:1 - think this one I had did some PP on it's eye reflection portion using method clone reflective body share previously


2. new plastic cup diffuser which share here

result - no clone reflective , no dodge and burn
- curve increase contrast
- noise ninja
- stacked 3 shots into 1


think the plastic cup diffuser method did the good job. but as it is little too bulky, big element just in front of my len, so it is not so convenient on shy bug .. or even no so shy type may flew off due to the plastic cup extend out .... am not sure will I continue use this but then definitely a good MACRO lighting setup for mt24.

How I shoot MACRO - MT24 with Difuser 2010plan01

was planning this and test with few similar option before but never got any good result. but then decide to share this even I feel this still having problem with my setup

why am I building a bigger diffuser
1. larger light size
2. softer light
3. my long MACRO len (SIGMA150) need better and larger diffuser (I need something work for both of my MP-E65 & SIGMA150)

so my testing make up of

1. pop up flash diffuser




2. styro foam bowl& Kitchen towel paper


3. final setup





sample output .. (sorry trying to get back the original setup but the beetle flew off)





(minimum PP done on above pictures)

based on last picture show above (my large diffuser is from right from my len and the small one is on left) overall the light diffuser better than my previous one (I personal feel)
but it create bad shadow after 3:1 which mean I lost 4-5:1 while using my MPE , think this could be over size of my big diffuser ... will try to make it smaller next round