A close up natural history shot. Not very different, you may
think, but such shots can be very successful.

There are numerous problems to taking close up pictures. Lighting
is not the least and good strong light is needed in order to get
a fast shutter speed AND a small aperture - no camera shake and
maximum depth of field. Remember, at full size on the negative,
1:1, at an aperture of f22, the depth of field will only be a few
millimeters - possibly 5 or 6.


It is often not possible to get all of a subject sharp regardless
of what a judge says.

That is why I use flash - a flash bracket with two guns in this
case, using a known standard exposure arrived at from test
exposures.

Flash also gives a fast shutter speed in effect - it's own
duration !


This shot was taken in a butterfly farm. The heat and humidity in
there can damage your camera. I NEVER open the camera back inside
the hot house. I change film and lenses outside, then go back in.
I also allow time for the lens, protected by a UV filter OF
COURSE, to clear of condensation naturally.