The Light is Back – Port Dickson (Pantai Pasir Panjang)

for the pass 2-3 months we had real bad weather where most of the time sky were full of cloud … and we had stop almost all sunrise & sunset activities except going for some long exposures and luck trying …

Last week, we went to an old spot – Pantai Pasir Panjang – Port Dickson which discuss previously… with not high hope but the light simple amazing with beautiful magic moment … (and why I say maagic moment as it just happen for 2-4 minutes)

Dec visit where we had no choice to make long exposure shot instead

and for last week …

and hope the light will be continue and I will be back in action !!!!

How I Shoot MACRO – my update lighting/diffuser setup [Jan 2011]

my last update for my MACRO setup was Jul 2010 … which discuss @ http://liewwk-macro.blogspot.com/2010/07/how-i-shoot-macro-new-accessories-and.html

but since then I have put most of my time to landscape … not much thing change but just to share it to my new blog …

my update short focal length full flash setup

some result

some result as below
i. concave, V & Light tent
... a boring Giraffe ? ...

... litttle green bee ...

ii. UV & Light tent
... there is something on my body...Apple , egg ??? ...

my SIGMA150 with Kenko ET, Kenko 1.4TC still my natural light macro setup … while I am still trying to resolved the full flash concern .. my last update @ http://liewwk-macro.blogspot.com/2010/08/how-i-shoot-macro-lighting-result-for.html

some results

possible for MP-E65 and the Background color (F8, 1/160, ISO100)
... full body shot ...

ii. with only ET @full magnification
.... only ET ...

iii.plus 1.4TC
... at ~2:1 ...

iv. full magnification front view
... @2:1 , front shot ...

it look pretty acceptable to me but I still trying to improve it and I will mostly use SIGMA150 for coming weekend outing ….

think now the light tent diffuser started by Stephen is a very good solution for macro .. do not worry on what you have trying to find a good way to DIY your tent/cup diffuser, yours lighting will be almost ready …..

few sample of the simple tent diffuser user

sample result from kit len + raunox202 + lighting diffuser with build in flash …. visit Jeffrey Photostream

if you interested to know more and know how to DIY the lighting for your MACRO setup … you may attend one of my workshop or outing to ask further 😀

http://www.liewwkphoto.com/Macroworkshop.htm

MACRO PP II : How I Stitch/Pano for MACRO

I am working on 2 pano MACRO shot … and think this is quite important especially for MP-E65 user.. so just have a quick copy and paste over

Why I need to Stitch ?
I start stitch my macro due to I have my MPE where only do minimum 1:1 (1x life time) and any object that >22mm will not fit in single picture frame … and how I get the whole object into a single picture …… hmmm I am thinking a stitch it …. and I have my very 1st try while outing to Fraser Hill 21 Nov 2008, where I saw plenty of BIG moth and I cannot fit it into a single picture e.g.

12.1 Moth - Hawk Moth ... 1:1

[shot with 1:1] , and this is too big for me and I am thinking how I got the whole moth view .. and I finally did something for a smaller one

12.6 Moth - ID Need ... 1:1

[stitch picture]

12.6 Moth - ID Need ... 2:1

[picture 2:1]

How I do Stitch ???
1. for start, how we shoot

We need to shot picture at same level of view so I normally shot at standard angle where esily to shoot another e.g. face direct view, side view …….. e.g.

How I do Stitch ???
1. for start, how we shoot

We need to shot picture at same level of view so I normally shot at standard angle where esily to shoot another e.g. face direct view, side view …….. e.g.

i. face focus on left eye

ii. focus on right eye

iii. focus on face

2. use Photoshop “Photomerge” option

3. i use “interactive layout”

4. select the file you wish to stitch

5. this will take some time depend how many pictures to stitch and your PC power 😀

– if this is not auto merge then try to move around the picture to try manual to merge the pictures ….

6. click Ok after #5, then it will come out like standard JPEG with multiple layers

7. for the non-cover area, either crop it away or clone it 😀

8. normally I will use multiple shots again to stack the focus area by using method discuss in

“How I Increase My Macro Picture DOF”

…..please comment and let me know if you need further question.

😀