Wide-Angle Macro

Wide-Angle Macro is a photography discipline where Macro meets Landscape photography. The focus is no longer just on the subjects but the surrounding scene as well, providing for a more intimate look into the lives of these amazing creatures. I have been experimenting with it in recent months and I would have to say that it is highly addictive, albeit, a pain in the *** to get right! Here are some of my shots.

 Shot taken with my Rokinon 7.5mm lens and modified Extension Tube.

Nephila sp. with Sungai Buloh in the background.

 We spotted this Kopstein Bronzeback trying to cross a patch of forest clearing so we took the chance to snap a few photos.

What a gorgeous snake!

One of my first few attempts at wide-angle macro. It is so hard to get the subject in focus!

A Katydid shot with Natural Light.

A  shot of a 'fingerprint' ant with fill flash.

This snail is probably less than 2cm in length and as you can see, it was really tough to get all of it in focus.

 A recent attempt of a Dead-leaf Grasshopper.

 Another attempt from a different angle and with a deeper Depth of Field.

It has been a pretty interesting (and tough) learning-journey thus far but I remain hopeful.

If you are really interested in Wide-Angle macro, do check out Gil Wizen's wide-angle macro shots here. They are rather amazing!

Wonderful Creatures of the Mangrove

Here is a photo update of some of the amazing creatures that I had the privilege of finding during my recent trip to SBWR. Enjoy!

*For a larger image, please click on photo*

1) I was staring at a trail of ants when I caught the sight of this Phyllium Nymph, commonly known as the leaf insect. It blended perfectly into its surrounding and if not for its characteristic swaying motion, I probably would not have been able to spot it in the first place.

2) It was difficult that get a sharp dorsal shot of it because it was simply too 'curvy'! Here you can clearly see what i mean.

3. Another interesting find was this strange-looking Spiny-Back Orb Weaver (Thelacantha sp.) 

4. It relaxed after awhile and suspends itself in mid-air.

5) Ventral shot of the Thelacantha sp. I actually find this side of the spider more attractive.

6. This scene actually reminds me of my family when we are out eating crabs. Instead of a crab, these tiny worker ants get to enjoy the remains of a Mantis, devouring it from within the exoskeleton.

7. If you think this is an ant, you're.... half correct! This is actually a female Mymarachne cf. plataleoides, a species of jumping spider (Salticidae) that mimics the Red Weaver ants (Oecophylla smaragdina).

8. Here comes a handsome male with a more pronounced Chelicerae.

9. Check out the tiny waist on the opisothoma! Megan Fox would approve, for sure.

10. The Cephalothorax is also slightly segmented to complete the 'ant look'.

"Hey look at me, I'm an Ant!" 

 11. Spiders from the genus Mymarachne generally do not eat the ants they mimic. Instead, they use the mimicry for personal-protection as most predators would generally stay away from these formidable ants.

12. Helloo, Handsome. :)

13. Here is another species of spider, from the Family Thomisidae, that mimics the Kerengga ants and unlike the Mymarachne sp., this crab spider ( Amyciaea sp.) actually hunts and eats its role-model ants.

14. Check out the brilliant colours of this Scoliid wasp! Backlit for added effect. :)

15. The same wasp under normal lighting.

16. I have been looking for a female Phintella versicolor for the longest time, and guess who decided to grace me with her presence!

17. Look at the amazing pattern and contrasting colours on her Cephalothorax and Opisthosoma! It is a pretty small Jumper, with a total body span of 6-7mm.

18. Here is a shot of a male Cosmophasis sp. taking a sip of water. If Ernie from Sesame Street was a spider, this would be it. Check out the 'Eyebrows' on this one!

19. This has got to be THE find of the day. No, make it for the whole of 2015.  I don't get to see Portias very often but when I do, it is in the middle of hunting down its prey! It was quite a bummer considering how badly I wanted to shoot this Portia cf. labiata, but I am glad that I exercised some self restraint and just let the spider do its own thing as I observe from a safe distance. 

20. Portias are recognised to be one of the smartest spiders. It is often dubbed as a 'thinking' spider because of its apparent ability to strategise and formulate the best possible way to get to its favourite meal, the orb-weaving spider, without getting noticed. I only managed two record-shots with my zoom lens as I did not want to intrude into its space and causing unnecessary stress.  Such a joy to watch. :)

 21. "Crikey, mate! She is a stunner until she opens her mouth to eat you!"

 22. The last of the three crocodiles i spotted that day as I make my way out, back into civilisation. A wonderful conclusion to an excellent day of macro photography and nature-watching. :)

An Evening with Macro Focus Seven

Mandatory Group shot! From what I understand, there were missing members that night.
 © MacroFocusSeven

Thanks to an invite by David (an exceptionally well-rounded photographer), I had the opportunity of joining his group of talented macro photographers who identify themselves as  Macro Focus Seven, during one of their sessions. I would normally spend my friday nights alone in the forest (my wife calls it Macro Therapy) but there are always exceptions, and this was definitely one of them. After all, I have seen some of their work over the years and knew that I would be dumb to give the offer a pass.

Besides being ethical and nature-conscious photographers, what impressed me most about them that night was their positive and inclusive attitude towards "outsiders" like myself who share the same passion and interests, which made me truly feel like I was part of a bigger community. :)

Here are some of the finds that night, thanks to the eagle-eyed crew.

1.Frontal view of a Callirhipis sp., male (Callirhipidae)

 2. Dorsal View

3. Cranefly with mites on its back. Ouch.

4. A dull-colored male mosquito resting on a plant, 10mm. 

5. Another similar-sized male mosquito spotted on the same plant but with a more striking coloration.  Thanks to Fujimoto Koh for the awesome finds!

6. A medium-sized Huntsman Spider (35mm) with a missing Leg I.

7. It scurried away right after this picture was taken.

8. Another beautiful Sparrasidae, slightly smaller but with a beautiful purplish hue. I think David spotted this one. :)

9. Dorsal view.

 10. Yet another! This is probably a juvenile Gnathopalytstes sp. with gold-colorer hairs on its carapace with a body length of 20mm.

11. I found this tiny parasitoid wasp crawling on a tree while the rest were busy shooting a slug. Body length about 5mm.

12. The find of the night! To make it more special, it was my first time seeing one in the flesh! What an exquisite-looking creature, commonly known as the Scorpion-tailed spider (Arachnura sp.) Thank you Nicholas Lee for the find!

13. I could not pass the opportunity to backlight this oddly-shaped spider. I just had to, and I am so glad i did! Bodylength 25mm.

15. You can see where the spinneret is located in this shot. Spinneret is the organ that produces the spider silk that we are familiar with.

16. I found this cluster of eggs, possibly those of a snail under a leaf. With backlighting, it looks like a celestial map of some sort.

17. Thanks Calvin Ang for spotting this juvenile Pancorius sp. (?) and for helping to keep an eye on the very active spider while I photograph.

18. The Diamond-bellied crab spider. One mean-looking spider.

19. A sweet potato weevil with unusual downward-pointing antenna.

20. A googly-eyed female Wide-jawed Viciria spider (Viciria sp.)

Update: I will be joining them again this week, so watch this space!