...for no reason other than that I need something sparkly this morning.
Temnoscheila sp. bark-gnawing beetle, Trogossitidae
Tucson, Arizona
Tucson, Arizona
The reflective integument makes this beetle a real trick to shoot. It's like trying to photograph a mirror- a regular flash either reflects back at full, blown-out glare or not at all. So I shot this beetle in a white box, where the soft, even lighting can bathe the insect without sharp hightlights or deep shadows.
photo details:
Canon EOS 20D camera
Canon MP-E 65mm 1-5x macro lens
ISO 100, f/14, 1/250sec
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Gorgeous! And welcome to SciBlogs!
Based on the size of these beetles, I presume you shot this all the way down at 1:1. What would your preference be between the 1-5x and 100mm macro lenses, given the higher working distance and aperature capabilities of the latter for subjects not needing more than life size?
You presume correctly, Ted. 1:1 is the only area where the two lenses overlap, and although I used the MP-E in this case I generally prefer the 100mm. It can make do with less light and is sharp as a tack. The argument in favor of the MP-E is logitistical- just the greater flexibility in being able to go in and shoot close-ups without having to swap lenses.
Between you and Ted, I'm finding the idea of a real macro lens to be enticing. I've never done true macro photography, but by golly that's one gorgeous shot. I suppose it helps that the beetle is awfully purty!
Great to have you here! Have a sawyer!
Ah, that makes sense.
btw - not a conclusive ID, but I suggest Temnoscheila aerea distinguished from the other brilliant green western species (T. chlorodia) by the absence of a frontal line and finer punctation on the head.
PalMD- Thanks for the welcome, and the beetle!
Ted- it'd be really helpful to nail down a species ID on that beetle. If I sent you a better photo of the head do you think you could confirm the species?
Alex-send a dorsal shot of the head and pronotum with a clear view of punctation and any surface sculpturing - that should do it.
I have similar problems photographing shiny books, so I turn off the flash and take them outside on cloudy days.
WOW! What a fantastic shot of a gorgeous beetle! This one is a killer shot and sure to win a few prizes! Great work Alex!
I'm changing my ID to Temnoscheila chlorodia - the closeup photograph of the head clearly shows a distinctly impressed frontal line.