Testing my DIY Macro Flash Diffuser.

I finally had the chance to actually test my DIY flash diffuser.  The thing managed to give me about the right exposure with 1/4 to 1/8 of flash power but within the range of aperture between F7.1 to F11. More than that, I need to increase the flash to either 1/2 or full power which needed around 3 second or more recycle time. One thing I learned when shooting macro in manual is to take as many pictures of the subject as fast as possible between takes without much delay. I have my reasons. My goal is to take well focused subjects as many as possible before they are gone. Insects and bugs do that. They don’t sit still for long when approached. That is why I need faster recycle time since chances of getting them in focus are higher in 10 takes rather than just 3 or 4. Get it? I guess I need a flash bracket to place my flash directly to the subject next time. Hopefully this will eliminate any light loss due to the long tubing of my diffuser. I don’t know if my theory is correct and hopefully by then, I could expose my subjects well in higher aperture values with quicker recycle time and improve Depth of Field all together. For now, here are some of my best shots with the current settings.

This little fellow is fast and won’t stay still for more than 2 seconds. I had to chase it around to get this shot.

 

This ant is so small that I had to take a few shots to get it in focus.

I’m not sure what this is but getting those big eyes in focus is very satisfying.

This one was moving around so much that I had to wait for it to stop and took this shot.

This one just flew away every time I approached but came back to the same spot again and again. At last I managed to get close enough.

I was very careful when taking this one.