Hi Allan. I'm enjoying your recorded talk. As an Entomologist/Botanist, I'm constantly identifying your arthropods. I now see your trash-carrying lacewing larva (at 41:22). At 48:30 is the adult lacewing.
The more I watch your work on RUclips, the more amazed I am, and the more I realize I can never do this art form. I lack binocular vision due to a moderate case of keratoconus in my left eye, so I would have a hard time working with the small insects. I also have intentional tremors that show up when I try to do meticulous work. So I will have to be content to photograph larger objects and continue to admire your work through RUclips. Thanks for allowing me to experience photomicrography vicariously through your work.
Eric, I appreciate your kind words and I understand the difficulties you are facing, but I must tell you about a friend of mine. He lives in the Middle East and he also has a severe intention tremor, along with a host of other issues that would seem to disqualify him from participating in this challenging hobby. We have worked together to find ways to get around each of his limitations and he is making incredible progress. If you really want this, we can make it happen!
As the others really useful to see the workflow from catch to eye collapse. I’d like to know a little more about that as a newb. How quick to get them in alcohol etc. so far I just photographed fresh kill on the day but I have much to learn! My wife does complain about the bugs (and the electronics fetch and my job and the tiny bits of private work I do. ) I’m now first day post from discectomy- successful- my excuses have gone! Great video Alan
Your work never ceases to amaze me and this look at your workflow only makes it even more impressive! I don't think many of us realised how much preparation goes into doing these types of shots. Happy new year Allan 👍
Thanks - but a huge part of it , and a part I don't talk about much, is that unlike the VAST majority of my audience, my work is not constrained the inconvenient realities of "normal life" - I don't have a job I have to go to, a kid to pick up from the tattoo parlor, a wife who hates the bugs I bring into the house, or even a dog whose bowels occasionally need emptying. This means I can do things with time that must seem insane to someone with a more typical lifestyle. Add to that my passionate interest in the art and science of this area weird kind of photography and you get something of the perfect storm. Thanks for bringing this up - I think this is something that I need to address with you guys. Cheers!
Excellent video Mr. Walls, thank you for preparing and sharing it! I'm really sorry to hear you and your family were ill, but I'm glad to hear you are all recovering well! 👍 I love that insect at 42:36. It looks an awful lot like an aphid to me, and the tubular structures (cornicles/siphunculi) are only found in aphids, on the top of the abdomen; those plate-like structures look a lot like wing buds, but maybe they're just part of the abdomen (still, I'm no expert, and I could very well be incorrect). I really love your colorful description of the cornicles, and it's actually a somewhat accurate description! I definitely someday hope to obtain both 10x and 5x Mitutoyo objectives; maybe I can also obtain some usable images with some variation in tube lens length to obtain magnification around the 7.5x range (≈150mm w/ the 10x or ≈300mm w/ the 5x); 50mm beyond the rated tube length specifications might not work out too well, but hopefully I can test it in the future. Or maybe just cropping the 5x images using a higher MP camera would work. I'll have to see!
Welcome back. How good it was that you were vaccinated, hopefully you won't have long COVID. Although I only do 1:1 macros I really enjoy your videos and your dry humor.
Very good Video, always enjoyable and informative. Searching for subjects I put out several 10" clean coloured tiles red, blue, yellow, white, looking at them during the day I noticed several nymph types of various insects looking like tiny glass beings!
That is an outstanding idea! I have never thought about doing that, probably because they would get stolen within the hour, but a worthy idea. I would be fascinated to learn if there are any trends regarding what shows up on each color.
Bonjour Allan, Glad to see that you tamed COVID without dire sequels. Thank you for sharing this video. This is the part of the process that I find most difficult. Looking forward to the next episode. Best regards.
One bone to pick, but it’s not with you. There’s only one like button, and no matter how many times I hit it, it still only counts for a single like. Your presentation was outstanding, so if/when you do another photography or whatever club presentation, please share it. Your followers benefit every time you’re on. 👏👏👏 BTW, as a result of this video, my wife is talking about purchasing a stereo microscope AND agreeing to a purchase of the Mitutoyo 20X objective - thanks!
Hello Allan, I follow your work and I congratulate you on the quality of your explanations and your macrophotos. 👍👍👍 I also do some macrophotos of insects, here is a question : can we reverse the shooting? To know the subject on the mobile trolley and the fixed camera in front ,for a great stability? have you tried? Best regards . (this is a reverso translation ...excuse me for my poor english !)
Hi Gerard. You certainly can move the subject instead of the camera, but only when the subject is appropriately sized to make this the best focusing option. I don't use this technique because of the way I mount my tiny insects. I would be concerned about the delicate mount moving. There is one other huge consideration - You cannot move the subject relative to the lights. SO your lights need to be mounted to your specimen platform if you are going to be moving it. And that is a massive pain. I tried it once and had 4 speedlights hanging on bendy arms off a lab lifter - I had invented the worlds first vibrating insect stand and paint shaker. I wouldn't bother!
I suppose that would depend on who you ask. I am not sure we are "supposed" to photograph insects in any particular way, but if you are suggesting that it is somehow improper to photograph insects that are no longer living, I would be intrigued to know why?
Excellent beautiful photographs.
I hope you will get better soon. We all love and respect you and your work.
Thank you!
Wonderful in-depth presentation! I loved showing the camera / flash setup!
Hi Allan. I'm enjoying your recorded talk. As an Entomologist/Botanist, I'm constantly identifying your arthropods. I now see your trash-carrying lacewing larva (at 41:22). At 48:30 is the adult lacewing.
The more I watch your work on RUclips, the more amazed I am, and the more I realize I can never do this art form. I lack binocular vision due to a moderate case of keratoconus in my left eye, so I would have a hard time working with the small insects. I also have intentional tremors that show up when I try to do meticulous work. So I will have to be content to photograph larger objects and continue to admire your work through RUclips. Thanks for allowing me to experience photomicrography vicariously through your work.
Eric, I appreciate your kind words and I understand the difficulties you are facing, but I must tell you about a friend of mine. He lives in the Middle East and he also has a severe intention tremor, along with a host of other issues that would seem to disqualify him from participating in this challenging hobby. We have worked together to find ways to get around each of his limitations and he is making incredible progress. If you really want this, we can make it happen!
Super interesting! I'm currently trying to photograph tiny fossils that are all mostly less than 2mm. Its extremely challenging.
Very nice again!!! Keep healthy and save!
As the others really useful to see the workflow from catch to eye collapse. I’d like to know a little more about that as a newb. How quick to get them in alcohol etc. so far I just photographed fresh kill on the day but I have much to learn!
My wife does complain about the bugs (and the electronics fetch and my job and the tiny bits of private work I do. ) I’m now first day post from discectomy- successful- my excuses have gone! Great video Alan
Your work never ceases to amaze me and this look at your workflow only makes it even more impressive! I don't think many of us realised how much preparation goes into doing these types of shots. Happy new year Allan 👍
Thanks - but a huge part of it , and a part I don't talk about much, is that unlike the VAST majority of my audience, my work is not constrained the inconvenient realities of "normal life" - I don't have a job I have to go to, a kid to pick up from the tattoo parlor, a wife who hates the bugs I bring into the house, or even a dog whose bowels occasionally need emptying. This means I can do things with time that must seem insane to someone with a more typical lifestyle. Add to that my passionate interest in the art and science of this area weird kind of photography and you get something of the perfect storm. Thanks for bringing this up - I think this is something that I need to address with you guys. Cheers!
Excellent video Mr. Walls, thank you for preparing and sharing it! I'm really sorry to hear you and your family were ill, but I'm glad to hear you are all recovering well! 👍
I love that insect at 42:36. It looks an awful lot like an aphid to me, and the tubular structures (cornicles/siphunculi) are only found in aphids, on the top of the abdomen; those plate-like structures look a lot like wing buds, but maybe they're just part of the abdomen (still, I'm no expert, and I could very well be incorrect). I really love your colorful description of the cornicles, and it's actually a somewhat accurate description!
I definitely someday hope to obtain both 10x and 5x Mitutoyo objectives; maybe I can also obtain some usable images with some variation in tube lens length to obtain magnification around the 7.5x range (≈150mm w/ the 10x or ≈300mm w/ the 5x); 50mm beyond the rated tube length specifications might not work out too well, but hopefully I can test it in the future. Or maybe just cropping the 5x images using a higher MP camera would work. I'll have to see!
Welcome back. How good it was that you were vaccinated, hopefully you won't have long COVID. Although I only do 1:1 macros I really enjoy your videos and your dry humor.
Very good Video, always enjoyable and informative. Searching for subjects I put out several 10" clean coloured tiles red, blue, yellow, white, looking at them during the day I noticed several nymph types of various insects looking like tiny glass beings!
That is an outstanding idea! I have never thought about doing that, probably because they would get stolen within the hour, but a worthy idea. I would be fascinated to learn if there are any trends regarding what shows up on each color.
Bonjour Allan,
Glad to see that you tamed COVID without dire sequels. Thank you for sharing this video. This is the part of the process that I find most difficult. Looking forward to the next episode.
Best regards.
So glad your ok happy new year. To you and the family
Thanks Michael!
thx for your channel. you got me into a new hobby
Hey Allan, I just wanted to tell you that I really appreciate your work. Have you ever thought about writing a book? 😊
How do you get that back ground with the tiny bee (at. 1:00): going from light blue-ish to white? I like it very much.
Allan again very educational
Thanks Patrick, Happy new year!
One bone to pick, but it’s not with you. There’s only one like button, and no matter how many times I hit it, it still only counts for a single like. Your presentation was outstanding, so if/when you do another photography or whatever club presentation, please share it. Your followers benefit every time you’re on. 👏👏👏 BTW, as a result of this video, my wife is talking about purchasing a stereo microscope AND agreeing to a purchase of the Mitutoyo 20X objective - thanks!
Hello Allan,
I follow your work and I congratulate you on the quality of your explanations and your macrophotos. 👍👍👍
I also do some macrophotos of insects, here is a question : can we reverse the shooting? To know the subject on the mobile trolley and the fixed camera in front ,for a great stability? have you tried? Best regards . (this is a reverso translation ...excuse me for my poor english !)
Hi Gerard. You certainly can move the subject instead of the camera, but only when the subject is appropriately sized to make this the best focusing option. I don't use this technique because of the way I mount my tiny insects. I would be concerned about the delicate mount moving. There is one other huge consideration - You cannot move the subject relative to the lights. SO your lights need to be mounted to your specimen platform if you are going to be moving it. And that is a massive pain. I tried it once and had 4 speedlights hanging on bendy arms off a lab lifter - I had invented the worlds first vibrating insect stand and paint shaker. I wouldn't bother!
Have you ever sneezed away all of those tiny buds?
About the glue: I use insect glue for the pinning. But that doesn't work well. It releases quickly. Which do you use?
I use a brand of liquid (not gel) CA glue from BSI (Bob Smith Industries), used in woodworking. The trick is to use absolutely TINY amounts.
@@AllanWallsPhotography Thx!!
41:40 It's Chrysopidae larva.
Thank you! Of course, a lacewing larva. It was on the tip of my tongue - the name, not the larva. I wouldn't let that anywhere near my tongue.
Thanks for this vid. Hope post Covid recovery is successful.Please see your inbox for a message! Stay safe.
These insets are dead . Aren't we supposed to photograph live insects ?
I suppose that would depend on who you ask. I am not sure we are "supposed" to photograph insects in any particular way, but if you are suggesting that it is somehow improper to photograph insects that are no longer living, I would be intrigued to know why?