Fly photo help - Master Thread.

[Gander]

I know this has been asked numerous times before, but I am going to ask again. I am presently trying to get set up to take my own fly photos, and therefore I could do with a little advice. I have used the search facility and come up with a few tips from previous threads, but while I was doing it, I thought that it would be a real asset to the forum if we could collate all the good advice from previous threads into one really good instructional thread, and then get Simon to pin it at the top of the fly tying or photo gallery forums.

Anyway, I'll kick off by "pretending" I know diddly about this, and you guys with the knowledge and experience, just answer as if you are addressing a techno-idiot.

I am hoping this thread will encompass a range of expertise that will cover the person who just wants to get started and take some good quality photos, to the type of stuff the more advanced users will need to know.

Feel free to add in any links that you feel are worthwhile.

My questions are:-

Do I need to take the photos on Macro or should I just position the camera/fly to focus normally?

How should I light my fly? Do I need a tent/studio? What type of bulbs? What direction should I light from? How many lights?

Background - What type and colours?

What is the best way to edit my photos?

Do I need to adjust the white light setting? If so, which way?

I am sure there are other questions out there, so just tag them on. Hopefully, as the answers of the experienced come in, then it will create a really good reference for the future.

[tack4]

here is my tuppence worth


1 backgound best i have found is a light sky blue

2 i dont use macro i get as close as my lens will focus and zoom in (canon 300d)

3 lighting well dont use flash as it will burn out lighter colours
i have a daylight bulb in an angle poise lamp
i tend to use tripod iso of 100 and f/8.0 and cable release or self timer
i also shoot in RAW mode as this allows light re callibration

4 i use photoshop cs2 to crop and sharpen immage

5 re white light setting if u can set it for indoors do that

hope this helps m8

ps if trying to do a step by step i use two vices and have camera set up on one and then when possible transfer fly to photo vice periodically

[CORONA]

I have used the search facility and come up with a few tips from previous threads,

a good place to start Gander,,post the tip on here..

you have covered alot of questions that i too would also like to know as im trying to set up a little spot in my room to take Pic`s of flies and try a few step by steps,,,as a humble beginner i`ve had a few tips from a good friend of mine (tack4) who is on the forum,,im sure he will post some of his experiences and tips for us...

for me as a beginner my biggest problem is lighting especially at this time of year and im in the process of getting a "Daylight Lamp" or similar ie Daylight Bulb (advise by tack4) and using it in an ordinary desk light..

here is the beginnings of my set up i hope this is helpful to you Gander (all comments welcome)

i am using a Lumix DMC-FZ20 (Panasonic) camera which has a 10sec timer mode,, mounted on a tripod to eliminate camera shake...

a spare vice that i happen to have for displaying Flies


inexpensive tripod i use (Argos) around £15
But notice the blured effect (poor lighting)


on a decent day with a little bit of natural sunlight
coming into the room i am able to achieve results
like this










just as i was preparing this for the post i see that tack4 has indeed
contributed,,without his help i would have struggled to get this far..Many thanks mate

i hope this is useful to you all

Regards

[flyonly2007]

This table top studio is the business:

http://www.netgadgets.co.uk/item--Mi...-studio10.html

The above link is the cheapest I've found it so far.

I've seen it in action being used to photograph flies and it's fantastic value for the money, including the lights, tent and camera stand. The camera stand is much more stable than a small tripod.

I'm definitely getting one.

[Cromie]

The first thing you need is a camera with a 'Macro' function. Macro will make you flies look much better, Cameras i would recommend are the canon powershot A620 for 150quid and then the canon 400D plus the canon macro lens which add up too about £1000. The powershot is 100% perfect for everything thats why i purchased it.

What you need to do is go to acsseries on ur computer>paint and fill the screen with a light blue colour. Print that out and use it for your background. I use a computer page holder which are very cheap....

Now once you have the background depending on the camera your using you need to use a low shutter speed if there is no light. A tripod is the best thing you can use to get great pictures and a mini light just helps you by 40%. You only need a tripod if you have no light and if you do have a light then you can take the shots by hand. The more light the less shutter and cause the camera to take the picture alot quicker and results it to become far more clearer.

1. Use macro function
2. Use a bright blue background depending on colours of the fly ur tying.
3. A tripod improves your shots by 45%
4. practice and experimenting.
5. Adobe alements for editing

Then your sorted...

Check this step by step to see some picture which i took.

Foam Post Klink (FPK)

Here is another nice step by step with 100% clear pictures,
Mini Muddler Minnow.

Goodluck.

[wayne]

Most people recommend you use a blue background for photo's of flies, is there a reason for this?
I assume its because its a neutral colour and does not interfere with the technical colour do da's within the camera.

[Gander]

Originally Posted by CORONA

a good place to start Gander,,post the tip on here..

I should have thought of that.

http://www.flyforums.co.uk/showthrea...t=photo+studio

step by step... step by step

[tack4]

Originally Posted by Cromie

The first thing you need is a camera with a 'Macro' function. Macro will make you flies look much better,

not all cameras have macro function and you dont need one to photograph flies!!!!

as long as phot0 is in focus you are best cropping image

original


cropped image


this is advice gleaned from a photography forum and digital photo magazines

[Gander]

Here is a good one I just found.

Photographing Flies

[.D.]

Originally Posted by wigger01

............I assume its because its a neutral colour ........

Yes.

Green or blue.

But any neutral medium toned colour will do. Unless there's a lot of the same colour in the fly being photographed. It might get lost against the background.


Some background colours just look bad. Like red.


.D.