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Six-Spotted Tiger Beetle

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted April 27, 2010126 views7 comments

It is a sure sign of SPring around here when these colourful critters show up. I shot this yesterday as it was hitting 18 degrees C........today it is SNOWING!

Anyway these beetles are always challenging to shoot and this was no exception.

Shot with 5D MkII, Canon MPE-65 at about 1X, ringflash used. 1/160s f16 handheld in bright sunlight. Cropped about 10% all the way around.

I managed to get the green and the blue colours represented in this shot, which made me happy! :) (The colours shift depending on the angle and the lighting).

Cheers,

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Daniel & Loana on April 27, 2010 at 4:27 PM

Quite interesting subject; perfect details. THe light, as you said, is quite harsh. Maybe the composition a little to tight. IMHO.

D&L

Registered on October 7, 2008, 166 Posts, 3044 Comments

Comment posted by Joel DeYoung on April 27, 2010 at 7:40 PM

Cool looking beetle! The colors are amazing. I agree that the light is quite harsh, maybe a diffuser would have helped tame that a little.

Registered on July 12, 2009, 92 Posts, 1074 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Ganz on April 27, 2010 at 8:06 PM

Thank you for the comments, they are much appreciated.
The harsh direct sunlight is the ONLY way I have found to really show off the colour shift on the carapace. Shooting on overcast days or just with flash doesn't quite do it.

They are beautiful bugs, and I will keep working on them!

Cheers,

Registered on November 1, 2003, 339 Posts, 759 Comments

Comment posted by Pete D on April 27, 2010 at 8:25 PM

Dammit Robert, I was just about to post my shot of a tiger beetle, but you're closer and show a sharper image, so never mind. These are a challenge because they either sit still for a few seconds or they move away blindingly quickly. I suppose if you survive be preying on other insects you do have to be quick. Anyhow, great catch. You could probably tone down that leaf a bit and keep interest on the predator.

Pete D.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 590 Posts, 1794 Comments

Comment posted by Jack Graham on April 29, 2010 at 10:55 PM

RObert,

Nice one---i love ths color.. nice processing as well
JG

Registered on November 26, 2003, 158 Posts, 574 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Borzynski on April 29, 2010 at 11:07 PM

Nice close-up of the tiger beetle. I know how hard this species is to shoot - get anywhere near them and they leave. Never mind the lighting needed to really show off their colors, which unfortunately isn't always the best lighting for photography.

Thanks for posting.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 109 Posts, 799 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on May 8, 2010 at 11:12 AM

Love your "creature feature" Robert, great colors & details..
Nice presentation

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments