Your opinion? Red ant (Myrmica rubra)

[Helix_2648]

This pictures are the first one which I made with my new Neewer flash and my new Pringles diffusor. It looks much easier as it is to get a good setup between SS, aperture and flash power, but I'm quite happy with the results.

The ants drove me crazy as the DOF with the Raynox lens is so small and I had less light for the autofocus. I sat there for about one hour trying to pick out an ant and take a picture. but the little monsters didn't stop for even one second.

Hope you like it... especially nataliaflejszar&Photo. By the way... that are my first pictures of ants ever taken so far.


f/10, 1/250s, ISO400


f/10, 1/250s, ISO400


f/10, 1/250s, ISO400


f/13, 1/250s, ISO400


f/13, 1/250s, ISO400


f/13, 1/250s, ISO400

 

[nataliaflejszar&Photo]

Hallo Helix_2648 ,
Lovely photo sarja, that say story about the ants and thems work .
Althoughts you lost a bit sharpness from the some of pictures, but no problem As shooting ants need a lot of practic and some of lucky when they stop for a moment . but very good pictures!
Your description is great fot the sarja , ants have always lot of work to do,so they haven't time to be kind models for us . Lovely animals .
With the red ants need to be careful , when they can bite
Thanks for sharing the pictures of the ants and mention me on , it's very nice Jörg
I need to go to shoot some of ants after long time too..
You found nice place for shooting ants, is it in forest ?

 

[Helix_2648]

That are the small one nataliaflejszar&Photo and not the big aggressive red wood ants. About 3mm in length. This made it quite challenging for me. The ants were on a thistle beside a path to the forest.

 

[Jack]

I sat there for about one hour trying to pick out an ant and take a picture. but the little monsters didn't stop for even one second

This made my day Helix_2648 . That’s why I gave up shooting insects. They do make me mad, when I’m ready to click the button and they run.


Regarding pictures, they are great, and yes, there are a bit too much of Dof.

 

[Helix_2648]

...too much? Sometimes I think that I should have use an higher aperture like f/18. Do you think f/8 or lower would look better?

 

[nataliaflejszar&Photo]

Jack , never give up! as MinitecaPhotographie say it beautyifully one day, that without hardness is not glory.. I think this hardness in shooting macros, epecially insects take this kind of photography so special .
It is so exciting to shoot insects, hard but not unpossible, just lot of practic and patience, and we have so lovely supporting here on the forum and great photographers with good experiences . If we can do it, you can too.. . Waiting for your insect pictures so
And for more pictures of ants from Helix_2648

 

[MinitecaPhotographie]

Jack insect aren't easy to shoot. During my first 4 years of photography I only shoot during the day when insects are the most active. And, yes, for sure it needs to be patient and they give me a lot of frustration. But when I was able to get a perfect shot, satisfaction is higher.
Don't be disappointed, you need to practice a lot, moving as slowly as possible not to disturb insects. And try an outgoing at the sunset hour you'll be amazed by how insects are quiet.

 

[Jack]

Jack insect aren't easy to shoot. During my first 4 years of photography I only shoot during the day when insects are the most active. And, yes, for sure it needs to be patient and they give me a lot of frustration. But when I was able to get a perfect shot, satisfaction is higher.
Don't be disappointed, you need to practice a lot, moving as slowly as possible not to disturb insects. And try an outgoing at the sunset hour you'll be amazed by how insects are quiet.

I was thinking to use a telephoto lens to shoot them from far away, but sadly you can't achieve real macro pictures with 150-600mm lens or 100-400. I tried with 70-300mm , and pointless

 

[Jack]

You can give a try Helix_2648 , I might try to shoot some insects too.

 

[MinitecaPhotographie]

I was thinking to use a telephoto lens to shoot them from far away, but sadly you can't achieve real macro pictures with 150-600mm lens or 100-400. I tried with 70-300mm , and pointless

You can add a DCR250 Raynox to your 70-300mm to do macro and supermacro....