White box photographs of Extatosoma tiaratum

ecooper
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Posts: 112

White box photographs of Extatosoma tiaratum Sept 30, 2012 10:56:30 GMT -8

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Post by ecooper on Sept 30, 2012 10:56:30 GMT -8

I decided to try something a little different yesterday. I’ve noticed that it has become quite common for entomologists to photograph insect specimens using a white box, so I decided to give it a shot (so to speak). It took me less than 5 minutes to put together the white box that I used to take these pictures. I chose to photograph a couple of Macleay's spectre stick insects (Extatosoma tiaratum) partially because they don’t move around much. Last night on my blog I posted these (and other photos) along with an explanation of how to put together a cheap, simple white box.

I normally prefer natural backgrounds, but I have to admit, the pictures turned out nice. And there is no reason I can’t use this same technique with a more natural set-up for future shoots.

Cheers,
EC
www.macrocritters.wordpress.com

phasmid white box 2 copyright Ernie Cooper 2012_filtered sm for post by ernie.cooper, on Flickr

phasmid white box dorsal crop copyright Ernie Cooper 2012_filtered sm for post by ernie.cooper, on Flickr

dertodesking Nabokov der_todesking Posts: 668	White box photographs of Extatosoma tiaratum Sept 30, 2012 12:23:45 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by dertodesking on Sept 30, 2012 12:23:45 GMT -8 Ernie, WOW Amazing pictures - thanks for sharing. Simon
	"A casual stroll through a lunatic asylum shows that faith does not prove anything" (Fredrick Nietzsche)

admin
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White box photographs of Extatosoma tiaratum Sept 30, 2012 16:23:39 GMT -8

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Post by admin on Sept 30, 2012 16:23:39 GMT -8

Sept 30, 2012 10:56:30 GMT -8 ecooper said:

I decided to try something a little different yesterday. I’ve noticed that it has become quite common for entomologists to photograph insect specimens using a white box, so I decided to give it a shot (so to speak). It took me less than 5 minutes to put together the white box that I used to take these pictures. I chose to photograph a couple of Macleay's spectre stick insects (Extatosoma tiaratum) partially because they don’t move around much. Last night on my blog I posted these (and other photos) along with an explanation of how to put together a cheap, simple white box.

I normally prefer natural backgrounds, but I have to admit, the pictures turned out nice. And there is no reason I can’t use this same technique with a more natural set-up for future shoots.

Cheers,
EC

I have been trying it out too. I bought a 'light box' about 2'x2'x2'. Set it up with a piece of gray craft paper hanging from the back and curving toward the front. This shot was taken with a Sony DSLR-a700 and a Sony 100mm macro lens. I used an off-camera strobe light set outside and pointing into the box from the side. I used gray paper instead of white so as to make it easier to get an even exposure. This is not really 'macro' photography such as your stuff. More like close-up photography. But I post this to illustrate the use of a light box. I have done a lot of product photography using this method and soon will be trying it out for insects too!

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Last Edit: Sept 30, 2012 16:26:44 GMT -8 by admin

anthony Senior Member Posts: 292	White box photographs of Extatosoma tiaratum Oct 1, 2012 10:22:09 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by anthony on Oct 1, 2012 10:22:09 GMT -8 Really impressive, thanks for sharing.

White box photographs of Extatosoma tiaratum

Post by ecooper on Sept 30, 2012 10:56:30 GMT -8

Post by dertodesking on Sept 30, 2012 12:23:45 GMT -8

Post by admin on Sept 30, 2012 16:23:39 GMT -8

Post by anthony on Oct 1, 2012 10:22:09 GMT -8