One look at the unusual filename of the following image, and you know it’s a composite of three photos: one focused on the head; another focused on the middorsal body; and the last focused on the anal pyramid (terminal appendages).
Ashy Clubtail (Phanogomphus lividus) | exuvia (dorsal)
The results appear to be worth the extra time and effort to create a high-quality image of a beautiful specimen.
The Backstory
An Ashy Clubtail dragonfly (Phanogomphus lividus) nymph was collected by Bob Perkins. (The date and location where the specimen was collected are unknown.) The nymph was reared in captivity until it emerged on 21 March 2017 and metamorphosed into an adult female. This specimen is the exuviafrom the nymph. P. lividus is a member of the Family Gomphidae (Clubtails).
Tech Tips
The following equipment was used to shoot all three photos in the composite image: Canon EOS 5D Mark II digital camera, in manual mode; Kenko 20mm macro automatic extension tube; Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro lens (set for manual focus); Canon MT-26EX-RT Macro Twin Lite set for “Master” mode; and Canon 580 EX- and Canon 580EX II Speedlites in “Slave” mode.
Adobe Photoshop CC 2017 was used to create the composite image by “round-tripping” with Apple Aperture.
Copyright © 2018 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Tags: Ashy Clubtail dragonfly, emergence, exuvia, Family Gomphidae (Clubtails), female, focus stacking, gear talk, high-speed sync, nymph, Phanogomphus lividus
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