Common Woodlouse - Macro top view, Heeswijk-Dinther, Netherlands

Opening a small macro set from a nearby forest. On this very hot day, I went out to try a new lighting setup:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DgfQHncXkAAA5nH.jpg:large

I already had the ring flash units and added the Rogue foldable soft box. My main flash unit, a SB-910, flashes upwards into the soft box, and sends down diffuse light. Goal of this setup is to try and reduce hard flash shadows, but also to allow me to shoot f/11 - f/16 by day without it looking like a night shot.

I saw a berch tree with some very loose bark, so I pulled it to find a few woodlice and ants inside. Oniscus asellus is a presumed species, I'll check it with an expert.

A second species of woodlouse found in the same place:

comments (11)

Christine Young

Lion

Nice shots! How did you like the setup? Posted 7 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  I like it! It works especially well when getting quite close. I can get the big depth of field without hard flash shadows.
  
  It doesn't solve all my problems with lighting though. For some insects, I tend to take a bit more distance. Since I have a high MP camera I can then crop significantly. I cannot really aim this diffuser so it will not hit the subject or only half when it is a bit further away. Plus, a general issue is that when the background is far away from the subject, using f/11 - f/16 will continue to produce a black background, this setup won't solve that.
  
  What I really want yet cannot find is a simple single arm that fits into the hotshoe and ends with a hotshoe connector, with all electronics working. At least I could then aim the main flash depending on distance.
  
  I also still have to test this at night, as one of my goals for the upcoming Colombia trip is to have softer light during night tours.
  
  Finally, this is a pretty power hungry solution. The main flash takes 4 batteries and they were fully drained after this session. Posted 7 years ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    Wow, impressive! My initial thought was that it looks so heavy. Is it? Posted 7 years ago
  2. 1. Ferdy Christant
      
      Lion
      
      Yes, it is. Just the D850 + 105mm is seriously heavy. The main flash is fairly heavy too, the ring flash and soft box weight little. I consider it a feature, I like big and heavy cameras because I have big hands and the weight helps me steady it. Don't like carrying it though, but this setup is easy compared to the 80-400mm. Posted 7 years ago
    2. 1. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Wow, I would never be able to carry all that, but am amazed that you can pull it off so well :). You’ll be building muscles just by lifting your camera, haha. Posted 7 years ago
      2. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Trust me, you could totally carry it, even with the 80-400mm combination, Henriette also does it. But never for long times, so that's the part that needs building up: endurance, not strength. I also have a special strap that distributes weight, makes a big difference. So the handholding is doable with some practice, it's just that when I bring all my stuff in a backpack, it's still some 12kg. Posted 7 years ago
        
        Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        :-O
        
        12kg! Lol! That's nearly 25% of my total body weight. I'd be crawling with a pack that heavy. Do you bring a pack mule? Hehe ;P
        
        Do you choose airlines with no weight limit? I'm guessing you keep your equipment as a carry-on? Posted 7 years ago, modified 7 years ago
        
        Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Lol. Unfortunately the mule is me. I'm not going to try and be that tough guy and say it's not heavy, because it really is, also for me. 12kg is over the 10kg allowed on smaller domestic flights in some countries but the work-around is stupid. At the counter, I offload a lens into our guide's bag so the scales show the right numbers. Then after check-in I put it right back where it was, in my bag. Makes zero sense but this is always accepted.
        
        And yes, definitely as carry-on. The contents cost a fortune, I would never check it in, and I guard it with my life. Posted 7 years ago
        
        Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Lol to the weight restriction work-around. I always keep my camera bag at my feet when flying. It’s worth the discomfort to know that it is safe.
        
        Oh, and you should call yourself Mule Man when carrying all your gear ;P Posted 7 years ago
        
        Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Not often, but at times, local guides offer to carry my bag. I first kindly refuse. When they insist for a 2nd time, I immediately hand it over. The look on their face when they first put it on is priceless. Posted 7 years ago
        
        Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Lol, awesome ;) Posted 7 years ago

The Common Shiny Woodlouse

"Oniscus asellus", the common woodlouse, is one of the largest and most common species of woodlouse in the British Isles and Western and Northern Europe, growing to lengths of 16 mm and widths of 6 mm.

Info 21 0

Similar species: Brood Pouch Crustaceans

Species identified by Ferdy Christant

By Ferdy Christant

Uploaded Jun 24, 2018. Captured May 27, 2018 13:20.

Explore Netherlands 8,314 2,306 0

NIKON D850
f/11.0
1/60s
ISO64
105mm