Macromia illinoiensis exuvia (face-head)

The following photograph of a Swift River Cruiser dragonfly (Macromia illinoiensis) exuvia shows a prominent horn on the face that is a key field mark for larvae/exuviae in the Family Macromiidae (Cruisers).

The specimen was collected, with permission from park staff, on 27 May 2017 along the Potomac River at Riverbend Park in Fairfax County, Virginia USA.

27 MAY 2017 | Riverbend Park | Swift River Cruiser (exuvia)

Tech Tips

The subject was photographed against a pure white background (255, 255, 255) using the “Meet Your Neighbours” (MYN) technique. The specimen was posed on its dorsal side, so the camera was focused on the face-head-ventral view of the exuvia. The final image was cropped and rotated 180° during post-processing.

10 photos of the specimen were taken using an aperture of f/16; in-camera focus peaking was used to highlight select areas in each photo. RAW FILE CONVERTER EX 3.0 was used to convert Fujifilm RAF files to TIFF files. Adobe Photoshop CC 2017 was used to create a focus-stacked composite image that was edited using Apple Aperture.

Editor’s Note: This blog post is the last installment in what turned out to be a three-part series. The featured focus-stacked composite image is a little closer to what I had in mind when I set up the photo shoot.

1. MYN – Macromiidae larvae/exuviae are horny
2. RAW FILE CONVERTER EX 3.0

Copyright © 2020 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.

MYN – Macromiidae larvae/exuviae are horny

A prominent horn on the face is a key field mark for larvae/exuviae in the Family Macromiidae (Cruisers), as shown in the following photograph of a Swift River Cruiser dragonfly (Macromia illinoiensis) exuvia.

The base of the triangular horn is located above the labium (face mask), between the long, thin antennae.

27 MAY 2017 | Riverbend Park | Swift River Cruiser (exuvia)

The specimen was collected, with permission from park staff, on 27 May 2017 along the Potomac River at Riverbend Park in Fairfax County, Virginia USA.

Tech Tips

The subject was photographed against a pure white background (255, 255, 255) using the “Meet Your Neighbours” (MYN) technique. The specimen was posed on its dorsal side, so the camera was focused on the face-head-ventral view of the exuvia. The image was rotated 180° during post-processing.

My vintage 2009 Apple iMac desktop computer is too old to support drivers for importing RAF files from my Fujifilm X-T3 mirrorless digital camera into either Apple Aperture or Adobe Lightroom.

The work-around is to use a free application from Fujifilm that converts RAF files to TIFF files, which can be opened and edited with Aperture and Lightroom. Problem is I’m a big procrastinator and haven’t learned how to use the file converter application, so I simply edited one of the JPGs straight from the camera.

For the most part, the finished image looks fairly good although the eyes are blown out a little to a lot. JPG files have less dynamic range than RAF files so I was unable to recover the blown highlights.

Hmmm, it might be time to buy a new desktop computer!

Post Updates

I finally got around to figuring out how to use the free Fujifilm application to convert RAF files to TIFFs. See my follow-up blog post entitled “RAW FILE CONVERTER EX 3.0” for step-by-step instructions.

10 photos (converted from RAF to TIFF), including the one-off featured in this blog post, were used to create a focus-stacked composite image of the specimen that is a little closer to what I had in mind when I set up the photo shoot.

Copyright © 2020 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.

Focus bracketing using Fujifilm X-T3

In-camera focus bracketing was used to shoot 35 photos automatically. Adobe Photoshop CC 2017 was used to create the focus-stacked composite image shown below.

Focus-stacked composite image

The toy is a Poliwrath, one of many Pokemon characters. The 7″ plastic ruler is from the Calvert Marine Museum. Do you know why the small ruler is 7″ long rather than the more common 6″ length? Please leave a comment if you know the correct answer.

Photo No. 1

The camera was focused manually on the closest point in the foreground, before pressing the shutter button.

80mm (120mm, 35mm equivalent) | f/8 | 1/250s | ISO 160 | 0 ev

Select photos from the 35-photo set show the focus point advancing automatically from the foreground to background.

Photo No. 5

80mm (120mm, 35mm equivalent) | f/8 | 1/250s | ISO 160 | 0 ev

Photo No. 20

80mm (120mm, 35mm equivalent) | f/8 | 1/250s | ISO 160 | 0 ev

Photo No. 35

80mm (120mm, 35mm equivalent) | f/8 | 1/250s | ISO 160 | 0 ev

Related Resources

• Focus Bracketing on Fuji X-T4, X-T3, and X-T2, by pal2tech (24:50)
• Advanced Technique: Focus Bracketing with FUJIFILM Cameras
• How to Use Fujifilm’s Focus Bracketing Feature, by Fujifilm X Photographer Joe Ng [text with lots of photo illustrations]
• Focus Bracketing on Fuji X Camera’s (X-T3 X-T30 X-T2 X-H1 etc), by David Hoult (13:30)

Tech Tips

Minimal effort was invested in arranging the subjects and lighting the scene.

Some trial and error is required in order to determine the correct focus bracket settings for a given combination of camera and lens, in this case, my Fujifilm X-T3 and 80mm macro lens.

As it turns out, I shot six sets of test shots before I found settings that worked the way I wanted. The following settings were used to shoot the 35 photos for the focus-stacked composite image featured in this post: Frames = 35; Step = 10; Interval = 3 s.

The camera was set to save files as FINE+RAW. In the interest of expediency, the composite image was created using JPGs straight from the camera. Photo No. 1, 5, 20, and 35 are also unedited JPGs.

What are the take-aways?

The technique works as advertised and should help to save time by automating the most tedious part of the process of creating focus stacks. Further experimentation is planned.

Copyright © 2020 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.

MYN – Hylogomphus adelphus exuvia (dorsal)

The following Anisoptera exuvia — collected by Freda van den Broek on 10 June 2019 along the St. Croix River in Polk County, Wisconsin USA — is definitely a member of Family Gomphidae (Clubtails), probably Mustached Clubtail (Hylogomphus adelphus).

Dorsal view

The abdomen is wider than the head. Vestigial mid-dorsal hooks are noticeable along several abdominal segments, especially segment nine (S9). A “median groove” is apparent along part of the abdomen. The lateral spine on S9 is spinulose-serrate along the outer edge.

10 JUN 2019 | Polk County, WI | H. adelphus exuvia (dorsal)

Related Resources

• MYN – Hylogomphus adelphus exuvia [face-head-dorsal]
• MYN – Hylogomphus adelphus exuvia (ventral)

Tech Tips

This subject was photographed against a pure white background (255, 255, 255) using the “Meet Your Neighbours” (MYN) technique.

15 photos of the specimen were taken using an aperture of f/16; in-camera focus peaking was used to highlight select areas in each photo. Adobe Photoshop CC 2017 was used to create- and annotate the focus-stacked composite image shown above.

Copyright © 2020 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.

MYN – Hylogomphus adelphus exuvia (ventral)

The following Anisoptera exuvia — collected by Freda van den Broek on 10 June 2019 along the St. Croix River in Polk County, Wisconsin USA — is definitely a member of Family Gomphidae (Clubtails), probably Mustached Clubtail (Hylogomphus adelphus).

Ventral view

Notice the exuvia has a flat labium (prementum). There are lateral spines located on abdominal segments six through nine (S6-S9); the lateral spine on S9 is spinulose-serrate along the outer edge. Also notice the well-developed tibial burrowing hooks on its legs.

10 JUN 2019 | Polk County, WI | H. adelphus exuvia (ventral)

Male (vestigial genitalia)

Male odonates have two sets of sex organs: primary genitalia located on abdominal segment nine (S9); and secondary genitalia located on abdominal segments two-to-three (S2-3).

Both sets of vestigial genitalia are clearly visible on the ventral side of some (but not all) specimens, such as the H. adelphus exuvia shown above.

Related Resources

• MYN – Hylogomphus adelphus exuvia [face-head-dorsal]
• MYN – Hylogomphus adelphus exuvia (dorsal)

Tech Tips

This subject was photographed against a pure white background (255, 255, 255) using the “Meet Your Neighbours” (MYN) technique.

12 photos of the specimen were taken using an aperture of f/16; in-camera focus peaking was used to highlight select areas in each photo. A subset of six (6) photos and Adobe Photoshop CC 2017 were used to create- and annotate the focus-stacked composite image shown above.

Copyright © 2020 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.

MYN – Hylogomphus adelphus exuvia

An Anisoptera exuvia was collected by Freda van den Broek on 10 June 2019 along the St. Croix River in Polk County, Wisconsin USA.

This specimen is definitely a member of Family Gomphidae (Clubtails), probably Mustached Clubtail (Hylogomphus adelphus).

10 JUN 2019 | Polk County, WI | Anisoptera exuvia (face-head-dorsal)

Related Resources

• MYN – Hylogomphus adelphus exuvia (ventral)
• MYN – Hylogomphus adelphus exuvia (dorsal)

Tech Tips

This subject was photographed against a pure white background (255, 255, 255) using the “Meet Your Neighbours” (MYN) technique. This photo is a “one-off,” that is, not a composite image.

Eight (8) photos of the specimen were taken using an aperture of f/16; in-camera focus peaking was used to highlight select areas in each photo. Adobe Photoshop CC 2017 will be used to create a focus-stacked composite image of the exuvia.

Copyright © 2020 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.

MYN – Clubtail exuvia (dorsal-lateral view)

The following Anisoptera exuvia — collected by Freda van den Broek on 10 June 2019 along the Red Cedar River in Barron County, Wisconsin USA — is definitely a member of Family Gomphidae (Clubtails), possibly Rusty Snaketail (Ophiogomphus rupinsulensis).

10 JUN 2019 | Barron County, WI | Anisoptera exuvia (dorsal–lateral)

Notice the exuvia has little stubby mid-dorsal hooks along the length of its abdomen, and lateral spines on abdominal segments seven through nine (S7-S9).

Tech Tips

This subject was photographed against a pure white background (255, 255, 255) using the “Meet Your Neighbours” (MYN) technique.

15 photos of the specimen were taken using an aperture of f/16; in-camera focus peaking was used to highlight select areas in each photo. Adobe Photoshop CC 2017 was used to create the focus-stacked composite image shown above.

Copyright © 2020 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.

New use for Godox X1R-C

Recently I’ve been doing a lot of studio macro photography using a Godox X2TF (Wireless Flash Trigger for Fujifilm) mounted on my Fujifilm X-T1 digital camera with a Canon MT-26EX-RT Macro Twin Lite mounted on the pass-through hot shoe on top of the Godox X2TF.

This Rube Goldberg machine is big, heavy, and unstable sometimes, depending upon the camera angle relative to the subject.

Eureka!

I’ve been thinking about how I might move the Canon macro flash off-camera for studio photography. Then an idea occurred to me — maybe I could repurpose my Godox X1R-C (Wireless Flash Trigger Receiver for Canon) for use with the Canon macro twin flash in order to set- and trigger the macro flash by radio signal from Godox X2T-series and XPro-series radio flash triggers, or even another Godox TT685-series flash set for master mode.

Canon MT-26EX-RT (top) | Godox X1R-C (bottom)

Does it work?

During limited testing, the new off-camera flash rig works beautifully using either manual- or TTL modes. TTL works because the Godox X1R-C hotshoe features five contact pins in the same configuration as Canon Speedlites.

Product image courtesy B&H Photo.

I ordered some new articulating arms and micro clamps for positioning the Canon macro flash rig exactly where I want it during a photo shoot. Further testing will be conducted as soon as the new gear is delivered.

Related Resources

• Old business. New business. [See section entitled “Old business. (What’s old is new.)]
• Pass-through hot shoe [Similar rig; different base camera.]
• Macro flash for Fujinon 80mm macro lens

Copyright © 2019 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.

MYN – Unknown dragonfly exuvia (redux)

This blog post features more photos of an exuvia from an unknown species of odonate that was collected by Joe Johnston on 07 August 2019 along Aquia Creek at Channel Marker No. 34, Stafford County, Virginia USA.

The specimen is probably from either Family Corduliidae (Emeralds) or Family Libellulidae (Skimmers).

07 AUG 2019 | Aquia Creek | dragonfly exuvia (dorsal view)

The rule of thumb for differentiating Corduliidae exuviae from Libellulidae is as follows: It’s probably Corduliidae if the cerci are at least half as long as the paraprocts; it’s probably Libellulidae if the cerci are less than half the length of the paraprocts.

07 AUG 2019 | Aquia Creek | dragonfly exuvia (ventral view)

I’m having a hard time seeing the cerci clearly. If I’m seeing what I think I’m seeing, then the cerci are at least half as long as the paraprocts and the exuvia is from Family Corduliidae (Emeralds).

In order to verify my tentative identification, I need to use a higher magnification macro lens (such as my Canon MP-E 65mm Macro lens) in order to shoot a close-up view of the anal pyramid/terminal appendages (see inset diagram, lower-left corner).

Related Resource: MYN – Dragonfly exuvia (unknown species)

Tech Tips

This specimen was photographed against a pure white background (255, 255, 255) using the “Meet Your Neighbours” (MYN) technique. I used the new variation on my old MYN studio rig and I’m still satisfied with the results.

Copyright © 2020 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.

MYN – Dragonfly exuvia (unknown species)

An exuvia from an unknown species of odonate was collected by Joe Johnston on 07 August 2019 along Aquia Creek at Channel Marker No. 34, Stafford County, Virginia USA.

The specimen is definitely a dragonfly, probably from either Family Corduliidae (Emeralds) or Family Libellulidae (Skimmers).

07 AUG 2019 | Aquia Creek | dragonfly exuvia (face-head-dorsal view)

This relatively small exuvia is ~1.2 to 1.3 cm in length. Notice the dorsal hooks on the exuvia are “cultriform,” that is, shaped like a pruning knife.

07 AUG 2019 | Aquia Creek | dragonfly exuvia (lateral view)

Related Resource: Odonate exuviae collecting sites [along Aquia Creek]

Tech Tips

This specimen was photographed against a pure white background (255, 255, 255) using the “Meet Your Neighbours” (MYN) technique.

I experimented with a new variation on my old MYN studio rig. The new set-up seems to work well, although the question remains “Does it work well consistently?” I added a second external flash unit that is used to backlight a piece of translucent white plastic (the background), and I physically separated the clear plastic “stage” from the white background. More info and photos will be featured in a follow-up blog post.

Copyright © 2020 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.