The Backstory
A Calico Pennant dragonfly (Celithemis elisa) evuvia was collected by Sue and John Gregoire at Kestrel Haven Migration Observatory. For the last 13 years, Sue and John have closely monitored the annual emergence of a large population of C. elisa at their farm pond.
Calico Pennant (Celithemis elisa) | evuvia (ventral)
The preceding image is a composite of 12 photos; the following image is a composite of 10 photos. My goal is to shoot the fewest number of photos (using a relatively small aperture such as f/18) that will show the entire specimen in focus when the photo set is focus-stacked to create a composite image. The number of photos required for each composite image varies depending upon the f/stop and the subject, among other factors.
Calico Pennant (Celithemis elisa) | evuvia (dorsal)
Tech Tips
The following equipment was used to shoot all of the photos for both composite images: 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: Calico Pennant dragonfly, Celithemis elisa, exuvia, focus stacking, gear talk, high-speed sync, Kestrel Haven Migration Observatory
walter sanford's photoblog 
April 19, 2018 at 4:01 am |
[…] My goal is to shoot the fewest number of photos (using a relatively small aperture such as f/18) that will show the entire specimen in focus when the photo set is focus-stacked to create a composite image. Source Credit: More Calico Pennant exuvia composite images. […]
December 26, 2018 at 4:13 am |
[…] More Calico Pennant exuvia composite images [Celithemis elisa] […]