Fungi
Fungi
I always find that some growing fungi is always nice to photograph. A Macro (Micro in Nikon talk) makes the job a little easier and a small amount of flash can help give the image a lift.
On this site there are quite a few tips on using macro lenses and also general reviews, so take a look.
Bee
Bee
I went to the Toowoomba Flower Carnival yesterday with photographic opportunities everywhere. The garden beds were a blaze of colour. I was able to capture this little bee with the 105mm f/2.8G IF ED VR AF-S Micro Lens using a Nikon D700 camera. The 105mm Micro lens is excellent for this type of close up image. For this type of image there is very limited depth of field and you need to be very careful of the focussing, especially when using low apertures.
For some tips on Macro and general photography visit All Digital Photography.
Grasshopper on Window Glass
Grasshopper on Window Glass
I was able to capture this grasshopper sitting on the window glass and I thought it would be a nice image, it was captured with a Nikon D700 Camera and with the Nikon 105mm f/2.8G IF ED VR AF-S Micro Lens, this lens is very versatile as a general purpose lens and not only just for use close up.
Close up images give you a lot of scope to capture more images, as there are many opportunities for images around your home and also in the garden.
Hair Worm
Hair Worm
I was photographing a Praying Mantis and this Hair Worm appeared to emerge from the Mantis. Apparently it is common for these worms to live in Grasshoppers and Praying Mantis insects. The Hair Worm was around four times the length of the Mantis.
For this type of image a Macro or Micro lens is of great advantage.
There are quite a few different lenses covered in the following reviews which are suitable for close up images, such as the above image.
Nikon Lens Reviews, Recommendations and Articles
Great care needs to be taken with close up images to ensure sufficient depth of field and stability of the camera, the use of tripods are a great advantage.
Dwarf Tree Frog
Dwarf Tree Frog
This image of the Dwarf Tree Frog has been captured with a Nikon, D700 and Nikon, 105mm Micro lens. These little frogs are beautiful creatures and I love photographing them. The 105mm Micro lens is excellent for this type of close up image.
Eastern Water Dragon
This Eastern Water Dragon has been captured with the Nikon 105mm Micro lens.
This lens is wonderful for close up photography, normally you can not get this close to a Water Dragon but on this occasion I was able to approach close enough.
There are more details of the range of Nikon lenses in these Nikon Lens Reviews together with cameras in these Nikon Camera Reviews.
Insect Macro Photography
Looking for insects around your backyard is a great way to capture some nice images.
I use Nikon equipment and there is a nice selection of Macro close up lenses suitable for this type of photography. The Nikon Lens Reviews here, will help you make a selection of suitable lenses for this type of photography.
Dragonflies
Dragonflies actually do look like Dragons in miniature. I love trying to capture them with my camera, it is quite a challenge.
I love chasing dragonflies with a long lens trying to get close enough to get a nice picture. The dragonflies love flying around near ponds and waterways. Sometime they almost appear motionless as they hover in the one spot, then they will suddenly shoot off to another location. Some dragonflies are quite small and others have a wing span of around 10 cm.
Damselflies and dragonflies are quite similar with the damselflies being a little smaller than the dragonflies. The damselflies hold their wings at rest together above the body of the damselfly, most dragonflies when at rest hold their wings perpendicular to their body, as in the above image. The back wing of the dragonfly is broader near the base at the body, the back wing of the damselfly is similar to the front wing. The eyes on a damselfly are apart but with the dragonflies the eyes will touch as in the above image.
Dragonflies are one of the most beautiful insects as they fly around and generally children will be amused and fascinated by them. In fact many products are available for the children who are attracted to dragonflies, such as the beautiful products at this bedding site with the beautiful Dragonfly Bedding which is available.
Eastern Water Dragon
These eastern water dragons are relatively easy to photograph with a lens such as one of the Nikon telephoto lenses.
There are several lenses you can choose from which are suitable for this type of photography, any lens from 300mm up will generally give excellent results.
Ants
This image of the ant has been captured with a Nikon D700 and Nikkor 200mm f/4D IF ED AF Micro Lens. This is a marvelous lens for insects as it enables the photographer to keep a reasonable distance from the subject to avoid frightening the insect. To get best results with this lens I often use a monopod or tripod.
