Renate Laaks

Renate Laaks posted in the group Macro Photography

• 3 months, 3 weeks ago

This jumping spider spent a few days on a lavender bush next to our driveway. It was very interesting watching it hunt. There were many failed attempts but I had the privileged to see two successful kills. This bee was one. The spider had to share his meal with these little flies that could not be deterred by the spider flicking his legs at…Read More

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- Bruna Mentrup
  3 months, 3 weeks ago
  
  Stunning
- Rosalie Rothner
  3 months, 3 weeks ago
  
  Such a great shot!
Renate Laaks posted in the group Macro Photography

• 4 months, 2 weeks ago

Mantis on decaying leaf.

Gear: Canon EOS 5DM4, Canon EF 100mm/L macro.
Settings: F8, 1/250 sec, ISO 800. Single image, handheld. Natural light.

#MacroPhotography
#CloseupPhotography

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- Bruna Mentrup
  4 months, 2 weeks ago
  
  Very nice. The insects is such an imporatnt part of life.
  Most of the insects we are familiar with are tiny little things, but praying mantises are among the giants of the insect world. The praying mantises we see locally can be 2 inches to 3 inches long or even more, but don’t let that fool you into thinking they will be easy to spot.
  
  Despite…Read More
  - DPC
    4 months ago
    
    Thanks for sharing this info Bruna
- DPC
  4 months ago
  
  Hi Renate just my penny’s worth—I would have loved to see more subject and less background in these shots. The backgrounds feel quite busy, which makes the subject get a little lost, especially since the colours aren’t popping. John Fox has a great system where he sometimes uses a colourful paper backdrop to make insects stand out. It’s som…Read More
Renate Laaks posted in the group Macro Photography

• 4 months, 2 weeks ago

Mantis on cat’s tail asparagus.

Gear: Canon EOS 5DM4, Canon EF 100mm/L macro.
Settings: F8, 1/250 sec, ISO 800. Single image, handheld. Natural light.

#MacroPhotography
#CloseupPhotography

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Renate Laaks posted in the group Macro Photography

• 4 months, 2 weeks ago

Mantis on cat’s tail asparagus.

Gear: Canon EOS 5DM4, Canon EF 100mm/L macro.
Settings: F4.5, 1/200 sec, ISO 1600. Single image, handheld. Natural light.

#MacroPhotography
#CloseupPhotography

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Renate Laaks posted in the group Macro Photography

• 6 months, 3 weeks ago

Mantis on tumeric leaf.

LrC edits: Brightened the mantis and brightened the background with a radial gradient mask. Applied denoise tool.
Gear: Canon EOS 5DM4, Canon EF 100mm/L macro.
Settings: F8, 1/125 sec, ISO 1600. Single image. Natural light.

#MacroPhotography #CloseupPhotography

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- Rosalie Rothner
  5 months ago
  
  I love your composition here! Were you using a tripod, or was it shot handheld? These macro lenses have such razor thin focus planes, it can be so difficult to get the focus 100% at the right spot. And then you have a moving subject too.
  - Renate Laaks
    4 months, 4 weeks ago
    
    Thank you, Rosalie. It was handheld. I find photographing insects in situ does not give me the time to fiddle with a tripod. It is also an early morning shot when insects move a little less. The mauve color behind the mantis, is the turmeric flower that provided the pleasing backdrop.
    - Rosalie Rothner
      4 months, 4 weeks ago
      
      That’s a good idea, I’ll need to start getting out early in the morning to catch the little guys while they are still cold and sleepy 🙂
Renate Laaks posted in the group Macro Photography

• 7 months, 2 weeks ago

This picture dates back to October 2021. These wasps were nesting close to our backdoor and I had such fun observing them, observing their habits and photographing at the same time. This is a 2 image hand held focus stack which allowed all three the larvae to be in focus. I have decided to revisit some older work to experiment with the newer…Read More

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- DPC
  7 months, 1 week ago
  
  #ProPhotoCritique
  Renate, it’s crucial for photographers to frequently revisit their older work. Firstly, to gauge your growth, and sometimes, after a fresh edit or crop, you might realise you had a gem like this macro shot all along! Congratulations on your feature!
- Rosalie Rothner
  7 months ago
  
  This is an absolutely stunning shot, and you are really brave for getting so close to a wasp nest! The Canon 100mm Macro lens it is such a great lens, I love mine too.
  - Renate Laaks
    6 months, 3 weeks ago
    
    Thank you, Rosalie! I took the picture early in the morning when they are still fairly lethargic. It reduces the risk somewhat. Later in the day they are quite aggressive and take a menacing posture by aligning their stings in the direction of the perceived threat.

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