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Caddis Larvae and case

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted April 24, 2014155 views8 comments

One from yesterday. I came across this species whilst doing a survey. This is a new one for me and any IDhelp would be most useful. It obviously uses small leaf fragments and plant parts too. Some are intricately joined. My guess would be a member of the Limnophilus family. The plant is Willow Moss (Fontinalis)
Small specially made container. Printed backdrop at 18"" and 45% angle. Am re doing these with a more natural backdrop but can't get it right yet.
Jessops Nikon copy speedlite. Hand held to left and just above camera level.
60% of full frame
Nikon D7100
Sigma 50mm macro.
60th sec(flash syc) F18
320 ISO
Much removal of debris in water and a couple of glass scratches. You may find some I,ve missed !
Paint Shop Pro Curves. 'Image Guru for Shadow lift.
Thanks for interest in last pic.
Cheers
JohnR

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by scott lanz on April 25, 2014 at 7:02 AM

Expertly done, again, John. The detail in the larvae (sorry, no idea on the ID) is super, and the willow moss is a beautiful accent element. I like the bg (very clean and serene) but I was confused at first as it looks a lot like sky.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on April 25, 2014 at 5:30 PM

I like this comp with the water plant winding through the frame.
The opposing line of the leaf fragment adds interest, great BG too..
Even a cute quotient looking closer at this little guy

Well done & have a great weekend!

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

Comment posted by John Robinson on April 25, 2014 at 6:01 PM

Thanks both.
Scott- glad you like the backdrop. As I say - I am experimenting with different ones. Tomorrow I am going to photograph plants in tanks- try different degrees of blurring and try them as backdrops.
Howard- notvery cute if you about to be eaten by one. This species might be a vegetarian !!
Thanks again
John

Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments

Comment posted by Carol Hyman on April 26, 2014 at 1:45 PM

John, Without reading your background info, I would have guessed this little guy was hanging out in mid-air. I like the way you positioned this in the image frame. My only concern is that everything appears to be of the same value; I'm not familiar enough with Paintshop to make any suggestions for changing the values to draw even more attention to your subject.
Best wishes,
Carol

Registered on January 18, 2007, 597 Posts, 8062 Comments

Comment posted by John Robinson on April 26, 2014 at 3:57 PM

Thanks All
Carol
Think I know what you mean - I,m working on it. I don't really like the blue background but sadly publishers often do!!
Cheers
John

Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Cloran on April 27, 2014 at 10:02 PM

Another excellent underwater insect shot. I'm hardly a Caddisfly expert but possibly Agrypnia sp. (family Phryganeidae)?

Registered on April 6, 2004, 119 Posts, 1989 Comments

Comment posted by John Robinson on April 28, 2014 at 11:03 AM

Thanks Rick
Looks like it is an Agrypnia Spp. Can never be 100% species level from cases anyway
Cheers
John

Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments

Comment posted by Swathiraj G on May 1, 2014 at 3:12 AM

Hi, this is a great art work. It was a painting work for me till I complete reading the story. Great learning from your composition...thanks

Registered on April 26, 2014, 71 Posts, 153 Comments