Up Close with Nature

Like most people, I like butterflies. (Who doesn't?:D). However, while i like them and think they are beautiful, I never really have very high regard for them. So the butterflies pollinate a few flowers, plants and crops, but they are no where as efficient as the bees in this aspect. I didn't realize how wrong I was until I stumbled upon this website: Langkawi-gazette Excerpt from the page:

Macro workshop for beginners/intermediate macro photographers. Other services offered: Nature Trips; Macro Safari/Photo Tour. Upcoming workshop:  When : Once a month on Saturday and/or Sunday. Email me to book a date:  orionmystery at gmail dot com) Where : Kuala Lumpur. Exact location will be disclosed via PM to participants. Type : 2 types of workshops: (A) Full Workshop; (B) Hands- On

I have been using my Sigma 150 mainly for natural light shot for more than a year now and loving it. Just a few days ago, I acquired a pre-owned Sigma 180 so I thought I might do a little bit of side by side comparison of the two. Not on the IQ though. For that you can refer to a few excellent lens review sites such as Photozone, SLR Lens and Camera Review etc. I am mainly interested in what the

You will see nothing but just Bug Porn here.  Mating pair of green lantern bugs, Pyrops shiinaorum shiinaorum. More lantern bugs here. A mating pair of assassin bugs. Eating at the same time too. Merged from 6 ( 2 rows x 3 columns) images in photoshop. More detail here. Another pair of mating assassin bugs: A mating pair of ant-mimic crab spiders. For more wonderful spiders check this out

I mentioned the use of reflector in my "Tips on shooting with natural light" post. In this post I will show you sample shots taken with and without the use of a reflector. I use a 24 inch (60cm) 2 in 1 collapsible reflector. When collapsed,  it fits into my backpack nicely without taking up too much space. I use it not only for natural light macro but also for shooting bigger models/subjects like