Grats on the new thread

I hope the new Nikon 1 will be a lot more attractive now, though I suppose its not going to be really much when based on a Coolpix design T___T
Would be nice if its retro-looking hehe

This post has been edited by [PF] T.J.: Nov 28 2013, 02:38 PM

Looks like I have a reputation to live up to now
Anyways, start the thread with a spider fight:


A Siler semiglaucus fight- ♂ vs ♀ by PF T.J., on Flickr

This post has been edited by [PF] T.J.: Nov 28 2013, 04:21 PM

Wah, I really wish I have the chance to enter the jungle
Love the 2nd shot! If you notice, the eyes of that particular bug will show a reflective "X"

Keep practising man, having a flash will definitely help alot in reducing the effects of handshake

Tried taking some really small subjects today haha XD

Water Mites by PF T.J., on Flickr

Those are ruler lines in the photo, 1mm in between each

This post has been edited by [PF] T.J.: Nov 28 2013, 05:05 PM

Actually any speedlight will do I suppose?
My usual settings for macro are (*on FF):
ISO 400
F16
1/250
flash 1/32

The trick is to channel the light directly onto the subject, which will require some DIY modifications

I never really adjust the power of the flash unless if shooting (i) subjects that are far away i.e. dragonflies/damselflies; (ii) subjects that are resting on black background.

So there's no real need for a very expensive flashgun, though you might have to make do with the slow cycling times or overheating when spamming shots

Lately not that much time for portrait shots haha, so just do macro XD Good to learn new stuffs ma~

Flashgun good for portraits and events too yo, see CY sifu's photos all so nice, not that much harsh shadows

Wah, why drag me into water? haha
Your photos are really good. I think many macro photographers are a bit too obsessed with getting higher magnification that at the end they only show the subject, and not what the subject is doing (which can sometimes be very interesting), keep it up! Love shots #2-4!
#1 is a female Oxyopes birmanicus, whereas #2 is a Tetragnatha sp. (have to be able to see its big jaws to be able to ID)

I've never got any proper flying shots of hornets or wasps T____T you are damn pro already haha~
And yeah, one good thing is that you will learn more about your subjects' behaviour other than just their diversity

Superb place to visit mate, just be careful of the traffic jams there!
Have a nice trip and take stunning photos yo

Some non-macro spamshots from Bali XD


Entrance to a Bali Temple by PF T.J., on Flickr

More:


Oh ya, better be careful not to step on their praying ornaments on the ground

This post has been edited by [PF] T.J.: Nov 28 2013, 09:31 PM

Oh, I'm doing seaweed biotechnology
But I've already passed up my thesis, now spending more time researching on insects hehe~

Most of my friends who bought the Nikon 1 were, like you said, buying it for the design haha
Most who are a bit more concerned about performance ended up with NEX3/5 lol

Nice try man~ Can take look at copperwire93's photo too, I think he also took quite a lot of photos of his watch
Imho, I think this kind of shots will look better with strobist-style
Don't have a watch, canno try haha T___T

Thanks man, I think the flame dance photo doesn't do the flame dancer justice
Was really noob that time and didn't capture the moment properly. Shouldn't have focused so much on trying to get the exposure right. In contrast, I should have just up the shutter speed and lower the ISO until leaving only the flames and shadow lines of the body, should be nicer XD

Anyways, always loved your still shots, very impressive considering you don't use flash (right?)

Don't have guy photos wo haha
This guy and his stick sexy enough for you?

Instrument Players for the Barong Dance by PF T.J., on Flickr


I hope I can get a long telephoto lens like the ones you mentioned one day haha XD Maybe when I am filthy rich I suppose haha XD Although not a very practical lens to have, it sure is fun to use it for bird/monkey/snake shots, noneed to go ninja mode

Oh, this I have to test it out
I've never printed much of my photos too, though that's about to change XD
I intend to frame some of my better photos and hang in my house haha

Ahh I see, thanks for sharing~
Perhaps next time can try taking shots in the dark and use torchlight to paint the watch during long exposure shot, the effect should be quite nice too
Dayum I don't have watch lol, and the same shooting technique cannot be used for girl watches I think since they are more cute-orientated XD

True, but the thing is that the jump from F4 to F2.8 involves a very big jump in terms of price too

Awesome photos man, #1 is really spectacular~
Don't think its a wasp though haha, wasps have very slender and thin "waist" connecting the thorax to the abdomen
Probably a type of bee/hornet

An angry crab spider

Aggressive stance!


Camaricus cf. maugei ♂ by PF T.J., on Flickr

Welcome to the gang mate~
Feel free to ask if you have anything in doubt

Still haven't got the chance to see the real thing

Photos for tonight, macro shot of a White-Barred Duskhawk:


Tholymis tillarga ♂ by PF T.J., on Flickr


Tholymis tillarga ♂ 2 by PF T.J., on Flickr

Thanks bro!
I thought you are in Bali?

Fuyoh, nice one, mana photo of the car?

Welcome back bro, long time no see

Thanks mate, just playing around with focus stacking again XD

Nice photo man, I love it
Pretty girl~~

Fuyoh, that's really a lot bro
Not easy being a model, can come up with so many different poses at one go

Haha, so so only la bro, still a lot to learn XD
But to be frank, the photos improved a lot mainly because of the softbox you recommended. Although its quite big and gets in the way sometimes, I never shoot without it anymore haha

Great beetle shot! I've yet to see this one haha~
Certain types of insects have rather reflective shells, including this one I'm still not sure how to reduce the amount of flash reflection @_@

Try taking some still shots?
Can do at home too

Danbo- Guiding the Way by PF T.J., on Flickr

Use downloaded LR presets?
NikCollection?

To be honest I am not that good as well, I can't seem to get the final looks that I want T____T
perhaps can ask copperwire93 or the other pro sifus to give some tips?

This post has been edited by [PF] T.J.: Dec 1 2013, 09:31 PM

Looks like a toy dog

Perhaps can try shooting at ground level since the floor tiles are not that nice
Shoot at larger aperture for better bokeh and you'll get an awesome photo

Anyways, share a frog photo tonight~

Frog 1 by PF T.J., on Flickr

Thought you never asked haha
One of the cheapest ways is to use Extension Tubes:

Macro Setup Mark I by PF T.J., on Flickr

Or get a dedicated macro lens (very expensive):

Macro Setup Mark II by PF T.J., on Flickr

Or combined both of the above for higher magnification:

Macro Setup Mark III by PF T.J., on Flickr

However, after trying out a Raynox 250, I suppose for Nikon users, its better to just invest in this one Its good enough for almost everything yo, and works well with almost every lens you already have, worth it

Thanks mate! Actually not too hard to find frogs at night, definitely worth visiting a garden or park (with a friend preferably) at night. Its an entirely different world at that time, you'll see plenty of things you don't see in the morning, and best of all, most are not camera-shy