White box photographs of Extatosoma tiaratum

[ecooper]

I decided to try something a little different yesterday. I’ve noticed that it has become quite common for entomologists to photograph insect specimens using a white box, so I decided to give it a shot (so to speak). It took me less than 5 minutes to put together the white box that I used to take these pictures. I chose to photograph a couple of Macleay's spectre stick insects (Extatosoma tiaratum) partially because they don’t move around much. Last night on my blog I posted these (and other photos) along with an explanation of how to put together a cheap, simple white box.

I normally prefer natural backgrounds, but I have to admit, the pictures turned out nice. And there is no reason I can’t use this same technique with a more natural set-up for future shoots.

Cheers,
EC
www.macrocritters.wordpress.com


phasmid white box 2 copyright Ernie Cooper 2012_filtered sm for post by ernie.cooper, on Flickr


phasmid white box dorsal crop copyright Ernie Cooper 2012_filtered sm for post by ernie.cooper, on Flickr

[dertodesking]

Ernie,

WOW Amazing pictures - thanks for sharing.

Simon

[admin]

Sept 30, 2012 10:56:30 GMT -8 ecooper said:

I decided to try something a little different yesterday. I’ve noticed that it has become quite common for entomologists to photograph insect specimens using a white box, so I decided to give it a shot (so to speak). It took me less than 5 minutes to put together the white box that I used to take these pictures. I chose to photograph a couple of Macleay's spectre stick insects (Extatosoma tiaratum) partially because they don’t move around much. Last night on my blog I posted these (and other photos) along with an explanation of how to put together a cheap, simple white box.

I normally prefer natural backgrounds, but I have to admit, the pictures turned out nice. And there is no reason I can’t use this same technique with a more natural set-up for future shoots.

Cheers,
EC

I have been trying it out too. I bought a 'light box' about 2'x2'x2'. Set it up with a piece of gray craft paper hanging from the back and curving toward the front. This shot was taken with a Sony DSLR-a700 and a Sony 100mm macro lens. I used an off-camera strobe light set outside and pointing into the box from the side. I used gray paper instead of white so as to make it easier to get an even exposure. This is not really 'macro' photography such as your stuff. More like close-up photography. But I post this to illustrate the use of a light box. I have done a lot of product photography using this method and soon will be trying it out for insects too!

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[anthony]

Really impressive, thanks for sharing.