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DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> Best place to photog fly/insect Macros?
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 12/02/2008 02:14:41 PM · #1
Call me unlucky.. but I havent seen a single pretty fly/butterfly (not even a house fly) since the day I rec'd my Sigma. Where do you all go to photog macros of thise pretty wings and (body) hair (LOL) ?
 12/02/2008 02:28:07 PM · #2
It's not exactly the season for it eh? You may have to wait until Summer.
 12/02/2008 02:29:31 PM · #3
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
It's not exactly the season for it eh? You may have to wait until Summer.


Darn!!!

How about any insect farms? Isnt there like a zoo for these things?

P.S. I am in California.. still getting a good Sun:-)
 12/02/2008 03:00:51 PM · #4
Flies like poop.

Find lots of poop, you'll find flies.

In this weather, I'd suggest something indoors like a pig barn.
 12/02/2008 03:03:55 PM · #5
In California, try contacting the entomology department at the nearest university and find out what's out there right now. Most counties will also have an "agricultural agent" and/or "vector control" department who should know about the local arthropod fauna ...

California has about eighteen distinct climate/ecological zones, so more specificity about your location might help ... :-)
 12/02/2008 03:33:51 PM · #6
Originally posted by GeneralE:
California has about eighteen distinct climate/ecological zones, so more specificity about your location might help ... :-)


He's in Death Valley.
 12/02/2008 03:34:51 PM · #7
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Flies like poop.

Find lots of poop, you'll find flies.

In this weather, I'd suggest something indoors like a pig barn.


How about the good flies? The ones that like flowers etc.? Thanks for the striking suggestion!!!!
12/02/2008 03:36:07 PM · #8
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
Originally posted by GeneralE:
California has about eighteen distinct climate/ecological zones, so more specificity about your location might help ... :-)


He's in Death Valley.


I had warned you not to disclose the location Doc!!! Now die you must ;-)

ETA: I am in the north bay region... close to San Francisco.

Message edited by author 2008-12-02 15:37:12.
 12/02/2008 03:36:28 PM · #9
Originally posted by GeneralE:
In California, try contacting the entomology department at the nearest university and find out what's out there right now. Most counties will also have an "agricultural agent" and/or "vector control" department who should know about the local arthropod fauna ...

California has about eighteen distinct climate/ecological zones, so more specificity about your location might help ... :-)


Thanks!
 12/02/2008 03:37:31 PM · #10
Originally posted by Prash:
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Flies like poop.

Find lots of poop, you'll find flies.

In this weather, I'd suggest something indoors like a pig barn.


How about the good flies? The ones that like flowers etc.? Thanks for the striking suggestion!!!!


Hate to burst your bubble, but most people that photograph stunning macros do it by:

1) capturing the insects and putting them in the fridge for a couple of hours to slow them down to an almost death state

2) finding already dead insects that are still mostly intact.
 12/02/2008 03:44:47 PM · #11
Originally posted by K10DGuy:
Originally posted by Prash:
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Flies like poop.

Find lots of poop, you'll find flies.

In this weather, I'd suggest something indoors like a pig barn.


How about the good flies? The ones that like flowers etc.? Thanks for the striking suggestion!!!!


Hate to burst your bubble, but most people that photograph stunning macros do it by:

1) capturing the insects and putting them in the fridge for a couple of hours to slow them down to an almost death state

2) finding already dead insects that are still mostly intact.


Surely you jest!
 12/02/2008 03:49:13 PM · #12
Originally posted by mpeters:
Surely you jest!

Those are common techniques for photographing insects and the like. You can also euthanize them in the field with an ether jar, but it's extremely (explosively) flammable and is not recommended for "home" use.
 12/02/2008 03:55:16 PM · #13
Originally posted by Prash:
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Flies like poop.

Find lots of poop, you'll find flies.

In this weather, I'd suggest something indoors like a pig barn.


How about the good flies? The ones that like flowers etc.? Thanks for the striking suggestion!!!!


You mean bees?
 12/02/2008 04:01:05 PM · #14
Originally posted by mpeters:
Originally posted by K10DGuy:
Originally posted by Prash:
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Flies like poop.

Find lots of poop, you'll find flies.

In this weather, I'd suggest something indoors like a pig barn.


How about the good flies? The ones that like flowers etc.? Thanks for the striking suggestion!!!!


Hate to burst your bubble, but most people that photograph stunning macros do it by:

1) capturing the insects and putting them in the fridge for a couple of hours to slow them down to an almost death state

2) finding already dead insects that are still mostly intact.


Surely you jest!


Hmmm.. the freezer awaits some new friends....
 12/02/2008 04:05:16 PM · #15
There's an insect exhibit at the San Francisco Zoo in the Children's Zoo. Yes, they let grownups in.
You're too late for the butterfly exhibit at the Conservatory of flowers; they closed that 11/12/08.

The San Francisco Zoo is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 365 days a year, including Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. PLEASE NOTE: The Zoo will be closed Christmas Day, December 25, 2008.

Family Farm and Hawk Hill (in the Fisher Family Children̢۪s Zoo) Open daily 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Insect Zoo (in the Fisher Family Children̢۪s Zoo) Open daily 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Message edited by author 2008-12-02 16:06:36.
 12/02/2008 04:42:16 PM · #16
Originally posted by K10DGuy:
Originally posted by Prash:
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Flies like poop.

Find lots of poop, you'll find flies.

In this weather, I'd suggest something indoors like a pig barn.


How about the good flies? The ones that like flowers etc.? Thanks for the striking suggestion!!!!


Hate to burst your bubble, but most people that photograph stunning macros do it by:

1) capturing the insects and putting them in the fridge for a couple of hours to slow them down to an almost death state

2) finding already dead insects that are still mostly intact.


Ummm, if you are using "a number of hours" then you can combine 1 and 2 in one step...

Try 5-7 minutes for chunky bugs (big dragonflies, big butterflies, hearty beetles)
3-5 minutes for medium bugs (ladybugs, shield bugs, bees, flies)
1-2 minutes for dainty bugs (lacewings, damsels, small spiders)
 12/02/2008 04:46:13 PM · #17
Originally posted by sfalice:
There's an insect exhibit at the San Francisco Zoo in the Children's Zoo. Yes, they let grownups in.
You're too late for the butterfly exhibit at the Conservatory of flowers; they closed that 11/12/08.

The San Francisco Zoo is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 365 days a year, including Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. PLEASE NOTE: The Zoo will be closed Christmas Day, December 25, 2008.

Family Farm and Hawk Hill (in the Fisher Family Children̢۪s Zoo) Open daily 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Insect Zoo (in the Fisher Family Children̢۪s Zoo) Open daily 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.


Thank you. I should learn how to use Google better << runs away ashamed >>
 12/02/2008 04:47:11 PM · #18
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
Originally posted by K10DGuy:
Originally posted by Prash:
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Flies like poop.

Find lots of poop, you'll find flies.

In this weather, I'd suggest something indoors like a pig barn.


How about the good flies? The ones that like flowers etc.? Thanks for the striking suggestion!!!!


Hate to burst your bubble, but most people that photograph stunning macros do it by:

1) capturing the insects and putting them in the fridge for a couple of hours to slow them down to an almost death state

2) finding already dead insects that are still mostly intact.


Ummm, if you are using "a number of hours" then you can combine 1 and 2 in one step...

Try 5-7 minutes for chunky bugs (big dragonflies, big butterflies, hearty beetles)
3-5 minutes for medium bugs (ladybugs, shield bugs, bees, flies)
1-2 minutes for dainty bugs (lacewings, damsels, small spiders)


errr, my bad. I don't shoot macros, just had heard the talk. Don't know why or how I came up with hours. Thanks for the correction.
 12/02/2008 04:47:18 PM · #19
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Originally posted by Prash:
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Flies like poop.

Find lots of poop, you'll find flies.

In this weather, I'd suggest something indoors like a pig barn.


How about the good flies? The ones that like flowers etc.? Thanks for the striking suggestion!!!!


You mean bees?


Yes.
 12/02/2008 04:59:03 PM · #20
Originally posted by Prash:
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Originally posted by Prash:
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Flies like poop.

Find lots of poop, you'll find flies.

In this weather, I'd suggest something indoors like a pig barn.


How about the good flies? The ones that like flowers etc.? Thanks for the striking suggestion!!!!


You mean bees?


Yes.


I just go into the garden, which has plenty of flowering plants during spring, summer and autumn, and wait and wait, then I get the camera ready, and wait, and wait. When a Bee or insect appears, I just keep shooting and hoping. Then, I wait and wait for another one and repeat the process.

I don't interfer in any way with the insects. They are free to come and go as they please with no freezers, ether or death imposing implements. If I miss a shot, that is just the way it is :))

Enjoy your Macro work:)
 12/02/2008 05:05:01 PM · #21
Originally posted by SteveJ:
I don't interfer in any way with the insects. They are free to come and go as they please with no freezers, ether or death imposing implements. If I miss a shot, that is just the way it is :))


Wuss... ;)
 12/02/2008 05:11:22 PM · #22
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
Originally posted by SteveJ:
I don't interfer in any way with the insects. They are free to come and go as they please with no freezers, ether or death imposing implements. If I miss a shot, that is just the way it is :))


Wuss... ;)


You are one of those people who like to cut and chop everything. If it is living, perhaps it looks better and certainly doesn't move as much when it is dead or comatosed types!! I, am greener:))

j/k :))
 12/02/2008 05:12:07 PM · #23
Originally posted by Prash:
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Originally posted by Prash:
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Flies like poop.

Find lots of poop, you'll find flies.

In this weather, I'd suggest something indoors like a pig barn.


How about the good flies? The ones that like flowers etc.? Thanks for the striking suggestion!!!!


You mean bees?


Yes.


Call a beekeeper.

The hives are usually dormant in winter and they move them inside.
 12/02/2008 05:14:30 PM · #24
Originally posted by SteveJ:
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
Originally posted by SteveJ:
I don't interfer in any way with the insects. They are free to come and go as they please with no freezers, ether or death imposing implements. If I miss a shot, that is just the way it is :))


Wuss... ;)


You are one of those people who like to cut and chop everything. If it is living, perhaps it looks better and certainly doesn't move as much when it is dead or comatosed types!! I, am greener:))

j/k :))


Ya, I was just bugging you. I mainly chill them to keep them from flying away. I don't want to shoot through glass in some terrarium and if I've gone through the trouble of catching it, I want it to be around for a bit. Another trick is what I call "ant island". Set up a large flat rock on a cookie sheet filled with water. You can put something else on the rock if you want to shoot the bug on that (a leaf, etc). Let the ants or other flightless insect walk around and wait until it's doing what you want. It takes some time, but at least they don't just run away.
 12/02/2008 05:32:33 PM · #25
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
Originally posted by SteveJ:
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
Originally posted by SteveJ:
I don't interfer in any way with the insects. They are free to come and go as they please with no freezers, ether or death imposing implements. If I miss a shot, that is just the way it is :))


Wuss... ;)


You are one of those people who like to cut and chop everything. If it is living, perhaps it looks better and certainly doesn't move as much when it is dead or comatosed types!! I, am greener:))

j/k :))


Ya, I was just bugging you. I mainly chill them to keep them from flying away. I don't want to shoot through glass in some terrarium and if I've gone through the trouble of catching it, I want it to be around for a bit. Another trick is what I call "ant island". Set up a large flat rock on a cookie sheet filled with water. You can put something else on the rock if you want to shoot the bug on that (a leaf, etc). Let the ants or other flightless insect walk around and wait until it's doing what you want. It takes some time, but at least they don't just run away.


Well, I am well and truly bugged!! Doc! But, I have to bow to your abilities. You have some of the best bug shots I have seen:) Just make sure all their bits are still there! Keep doing the Macro bug shots:))
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