This tiny, dainty-looking fly, which is barely 1cm (0.3in) long, has rainbow colors! Isn't it pretty? 8D
In my quest for macro subjects, I have discovered and visited parks and nature reserves I have never been to before. It's fun, exciting and sometimes a little unnerving because, so far, I have come across 3 big snakes! (Over 1m or 3ft long.) Other things I've learned: Our bees, grasshoppers and spiders are tiny! To find insects, I need to inspect the undersides of leaves. Before I stop to shoot, I must look at my feet to make sure I'm not standing on a fat line of ants that won't hesitate to bite my juicy toes. I periodically wave my hands in front of me like a madwoman to avoid walking directly into a web I can't see. Tiny jumping spiders are ridiculously hard to spot, and like to jump away before I can focus!
Seriously? Insects are getting to be a lot more fun to shoot than flowers. 8D
Such fantastic colours! Brilliant capture. I agree with you that bugs are such fun to find and photograph. Would love to see you flapping about in the undergrowth, makes me laugh just thinking about it!
Amazing details this is so sharp! defo one of the nicer looking one's ive seen too, very colourful =) your way braver than me too......snakes and spiders would have me screaming like a mad woman!
@socalgal Take lots of shots! Be ready all the time. And then be very patient about being ready because you'll spend more time being ready than actually taking shots. And then take lots of shots! 8D
@mantha I'm not afraid of snakes (I actually like lizards and snakes) but I know better than to approach the ones I can't identify, so I just walk the other way. As for spiders, I find the little ones cute. The little ones (that are no bigger than my thumbnail) with shorter legs. Anything bigger and anything with longer legs kind of freak me out too. XD
Absolutely gorgeous colors and clarity!! Definitely as beautiful as any flower. Fabulous capture, Livia. You rock "tiny!" Well..... you actually rock everything. :)
Whodathunk that a fly would be so beautiful and colorful?! Livia, can you tell me about your camera and equipment (lens) that you use to shoot macro. I have a Cannon Powershot, but it doesn't do a very good job with macro shots (or maybe it is just me).
@amandalomonaco For macro shots, I use the Sony NEX-C3, which is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, with the Sony 30mm f/3.5 macro lens. What I have is not as good as a dSLR with a macro lens that has a longer focal length (so you don't have to get really-really-really close to the subject like I have to right now) but I'm happy enough with the results I get. If you're doing macro shots, it's a good idea to use a tripod too. I don't because I don't have a tripod and I don't want to lug one around but, if you can, a tripod will really help as it eliminates camera shake. I take many shots because I know some of them will turn out blurry since my hands aren't always steady.
Incredible Livia! Fav!! I've shot these guys before, but none of my pics turned out like this! It's beautiful! Insects are fun - they are basically my favorite subject to photograph :)
gorgeous capture! and i so agree... bugs are WAY more fun than flowers!!! (and more difficult - which makes a good capture that much more rewarding ;p)
@marieooi For macro shots, I use my Sony NEX-C3, which is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, with the Sony 30mm f/3.5 macro lens. The focal length is much shorter than most other macro lenses, which means I need to get ridiculously close to the subject. If you own a dSLR, I think you'll have way more options for macro lenses.
Ah the perils of macro photography...but soooo much fun. this is a very attractive fly, now those are words I would have never said pre 365! Great shot!
Fav - this is a great shot. Awesome colors and detail. I love how unusual and beautiful insects are once you really look at them. And I really enjoyed that you described the way you find your models - I like expeditions to unknown places :-).
Can relate to what you're saying. Got stung by something a couple days ago and I was in agony yesterday with a swollen left arm. I cannot get over the sparkly neon colors of this fly! Great job.
A great, big, shiny, adventurous and colorful "THANK YOU!" to everyone!
So glad you've enjoyed seeing this fly. I was surprised too, when it landed on a leaf and stayed long enough for me to fire off a few shots at it. Every trip to the park or mangrove forest is a wonderful adventure of discovery for me. Thank you so much for your support. I appreciate it!
Wow Livia, this is amazing with such detail! I have found by doing this, that what I used to see as ugly bugs are actually quite beautiful when we stop to look at them! I love your photos, you capture their beauty in such clarity.
@bankmann For macro shots, I use my Sony NEX-C3, which is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, with the Sony 30mm f/3.5 macro lens. It has a shorter focal length than most macro lenses though, which means I have to get kissing-distance-close to the subject. Can be difficult to do, a lot of the time, I end up scaring my macro subjects away. 8)
@myautofocuslife Appreciate the info. ;-) Looking to get myself a real macro lens. Been looking through your pictures. Like your crazy humour! ;-) Also an anmie-/Japan-fan. ;-p
@mantha I'm not afraid of snakes (I actually like lizards and snakes) but I know better than to approach the ones I can't identify, so I just walk the other way. As for spiders, I find the little ones cute. The little ones (that are no bigger than my thumbnail) with shorter legs. Anything bigger and anything with longer legs kind of freak me out too. XD
This is a great shot, lady...as usual:)!
Amazing detail and colours...Fav!
FAV FAV FAV!!!
So glad you've enjoyed seeing this fly. I was surprised too, when it landed on a leaf and stayed long enough for me to fire off a few shots at it. Every trip to the park or mangrove forest is a wonderful adventure of discovery for me. Thank you so much for your support. I appreciate it!
Again, thank you!