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Post by francisento on Jul 13, 2015 15:15:11 GMT -8
What do you think about using black plastazote Foam in Insect Drawers? I have seen examples where Orthoptera with colourful or transparent wings appear very nicely on black background - who uses this uncommon foam color or has any comments about it?
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leptraps
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Posts: 2,397
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Post by leptraps on Jul 13, 2015 16:03:27 GMT -8
Leptraps LLC entered the Entomology Drawer market in 2014. We have sold over 200 drawers with Charcoal Colored Polyethylene foam. I was told that Birdwings, Swallowtails and Peirids stand out better on black (charcoal) foam.
When I ordered it from my supplier, they told me that sell more charcoal colored foam than white by a 10 to 1 margin. The automotive market is the biggest user.
Maybe I should add it on my web site?
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Post by pottex on Aug 25, 2020 1:51:38 GMT -8
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Post by exoticimports on Aug 25, 2020 3:22:53 GMT -8
Interesting. I’ll bet bright specimens really stand out. I’ll have to try this.
I assume one benefit is photography, since the white background throws off the light meter. Another thing to try.
Thanks.
Chuck
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Post by Paul K on Aug 25, 2020 5:11:20 GMT -8
I should see if Paradox can make drawers with black foam. It would be very interesting for my Pieridae collection.
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Post by exoticimports on Aug 25, 2020 11:41:03 GMT -8
I ordered some polyethylene (I think that’s what it’s called) I’ll see how it works out.
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Post by Chris Grinter on Aug 25, 2020 15:58:34 GMT -8
Photographing on foam doesn't work well, the little air pockets on the surface can really reflect light back in an awful way. Using a black matte paper or velvet is by far better. This is based on work I did here: www.flickr.com/photos/dmnszoology/albums/72157635958596303However I have asked suppliers before about black foam and I think it can be a great idea! For delicate microleps, especially Adelidae, the super long white antennae are completely lost in a white tray or foam bottom. It's super easy to break those antennae if you aren't ultra careful, so black foam would be much easier to see. The biggest challenge I see is finding archival black foam, something that's produced with chemicals that will not degrade the glues, papers, or specimen over time. So far I haven't found a great solution. I do think it would be a challenge to discover dermestid frass on black foam, but you might see Psocids much faster.
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Post by exoticimports on Aug 26, 2020 12:42:53 GMT -8
Wow Chris, that is some spectacular photography. And the black background really makes the insects pop. Chuck
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Post by foxxdoc on Sept 2, 2020 7:01:54 GMT -8
Chris-- your photos are stunning. There certainly must be more to it than just a black background. Fill us in on your technique. Lighting , macro lens , etc.
Are the photos just for personal use ?
Thanks,
Tom
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Post by Chris Grinter on Sept 2, 2020 9:07:33 GMT -8
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Post by exoticimports on Nov 9, 2020 5:07:59 GMT -8
Here are some results of a dark background. Bad: Papilio glaucus. The black disappears. I thought the blue on the females would pop, but it doesn't it looks dark; improved photography may make a difference. Good: Actias luna, shot with some direct natural sunlight. See Chris's comments about photography in previous posts. Note that (1) the pinning bottom is described by the manufacturer as "charcoal" not "black" and (2) my purpose is for educational displays, not photography. Chuck
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Post by wollastoni on Nov 9, 2020 5:15:13 GMT -8
I have seen a drawer of Parnassius with a black background, the result was very nice too.
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Post by exoticimports on Nov 9, 2020 5:48:49 GMT -8
I have seen a drawer of Parnassius with a black background, the result was very nice too. Yes, Sir, I presume that would look very nice, I found one photo of Parnassius on black: It appears the professional photographers and artists have already discovered what does, and does not, look good on black. Search for "papilio glaucus on black background" and there is nothing; search for "argemma mittrei on black background" and there are a number of images.
But with all due respect to Chris, and to Leroy who also has voiced in on the topic, my use of the black background is to introduce youths to the wonders of entomology.
Chuck
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Post by Paul K on Nov 9, 2020 5:55:33 GMT -8
Hi Chuck Lunas look good! I bet Pieridae would look even better on black. Now you want to continue with black background If I could suggest you should invest in research and perhaps funds and get pure black foam, I saw some on eBay from UK.
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Post by bandrow on Nov 9, 2020 6:35:25 GMT -8
Hi Chuck,
The lunas look really nice against the dark background. I think the key is to having specimens with no dark margins that can "blur" with the background. The sharp edges of the lunas maintain a nice contrast.
Chris's work is spectacular, but even in those high-res images, some of the dark beetles lost the contrast battle with the black background and it became difficult to see detail in parts around their edges. However, the intended use of the images matters - for aesthetic purposes they are great, if one was trying to use them for a descriptive publication, maybe not so. Same for the drawers - one may not want to do a whole collection this way, but for display and educational drawers, it would be stunning...
Cheers! Bob
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