The following focus-stacked composite image shows the exuvia from a Common Sanddragon (Progomphus obscurus) larva that was collected and reared by Bob Perkins.
I have 10s, maybe 100s, of Common Sanddragon exuviae in my collection, but have never seen one cleaner than this beautiful specimen. I didn’t realize P. obscurus larvae are so hairy!
Common Sanddragon (Progomphus obscurus) | exuvia (face-head)
Related Resource: More composite images: P. obscurus exuvia.
Tech Tips
11 photos were used to create the focus stack. A single focus point was positioned over select anatomical features, working from back-to-front; photos were taken at each point of interest.
The following equipment was used to shoot the preceding composite image: Canon EOS 5D Mark II digital camera, in manual mode; Canon MP-E 65mm Macro lens (set for f/11 at 3x); and Canon MT-26EX-RT Macro Twin Lite set for “Master” mode, and several external flashes set for “Slave” mode including Canon 580 EX- and Canon 580EX II Speedlites and a Godox TT685C Thinklite TTL Flash fitted with a Lastolite Ezybox Speed-Lite 2 flash modifier.
Auto power-off was disabled for the camera and all external flash units.
Adobe Photoshop CC 2017 was used to create the focus stack, as well as spot-heal and sharpen the final output.
Copyright © 2019 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Tags: Common Sanddragon dragonfly, exuvia, exuviae, gear talk, high-speed sync, larva, Progomphus obscurus, studio photography
February 4, 2019 at 7:11 am |
Super!
February 4, 2019 at 11:01 am |
Thanks, Mike! I love it when a plan comes together, despite the fact that my new studio macro rig isn’t as steady as I’d hoped.
February 6, 2019 at 4:02 am |
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