• Home
  • About
    • Prints & Licensing
    • Altered Perspectives
  • Portfolio
  • Galleries
    • Best of
      • Best of 2022
      • Best of 2021
      • Best of 2020
      • Best of 2019
      • Best of 2018
      • Best of 2017
      • Best of 2016
      • Best of 2015
      • Best of 2014
      • Best of 2013
      • Best of 2012
      • Best of 2011
      • Best of 2010
    • Sport
      • Formula 1
      • Motorcycle Racing
      • Rodeo Portraits
    • Landscape
      • Utah Abstracts
      • White Sands Textures
    • General
      • Portraits
      • Space
      • Tear Sheets
  • Framed Prints
  • Event Photos
  • Photoblog
  • Blog
  • Tutorials
    • HDR Tutorial
    • Macro Photography Hints and Tips from a Self-Taught Beginner
    • Lots More
  • Workshops
    • HDR Photography Workshop
  • Discounts
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

© 1984-2019 Dave Wilson
All Rights Reserved

31
May
2013

Longwing Butterfly, HMNS




We’re back in the Cockrell Butterfly Center at the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences for another macro shot. The subject here is a longwing butterfly. There are many different longwings but they can be found in South and Central America, the Caribbean and in the southern states of the US.

Once again, this was taken using my 90mm macro lens and the Nikon R1C1 macro flash rig. I’m still experimenting with the flash but am generally extremely happy with the results. I tried a variety of different setups with and without close up diffusers. On balance, I think I prefer the shots with both the diffusers installed. That said, the biggest factor in the flash setup seems to be the shutter speed in use. When shooting flash, the shutter speed can be considered as your ambient light control – the longer the shutter is open, the brighter the background in comparison to the foreground. Juggling the shutter speed, therefore, allows you to determine just how isolated the main subject is. Too short, and you end up with that “oveflashed” look and a black background. Too long and you either end up with blurring in the main subject or the background becomes so bright that it can distract from the butterfly. As always, experimentation is the key!



Tagged - butterfly, Cockrell Butterfly Center, Heliconius, HMNS, houston, Houston Museum of Natural Science, insect, longwing, texas, tx


Previous Post
Golden Mask, HMNS
Next Post
Dimetrodon Sail, HMNS




3 Comments

Tony
May 31, 2013, 9:04 am

Well, however you did it, it worked beautifully!! Amazing sharpness, and a very striking composition.
Tony´s last post ..Isle of Purbeck 2

Reply

James
May 31, 2013, 3:04 pm

Absolutely stunning macro shot you have here!
James´s last post ..By: Javier Salazar

Reply

    Dave Wilson
    June 1, 2013, 11:59 am

    Thanks, James!

    Reply


Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.