Goals for the New Year

My goal for 2024 is focused (pun intended).

Having long used my iPhone camera for occasional crude ground beetle photographs, I hesitantly purchased last week the Olympus OM TG-7 camera. I say "hesitantly" because I'm not at all familiar with modern digital cameras and image processing. I made the choice based on the recommendations of several attendees of the annual zoom meeting of the Coleopterists Society last month. They praised the TG series cameras for their easy point-&-shoot and high image resolution with automatic multistacking for exceptionally close macro photography. The enhanced image quality will encourage me in 2024 to post more on platforms and to share difficult species with my ground beetle colleagues. I'm still waiting for the attachable ring light (important for macro photography) and the printed user manual (266 pages). The online PDF manual is quite challenging for a beginner like me. I hope to make contact with fellow users of the Olympus TG series of cameras which pretty much work all the same. BugGuide's Photography Forum is a promising resource. TG series enthusiasts, please feel free to contact me directly. Thank you.

… Peter W. Messer, 1 January, 2024 - 9:51am

Ring lights

work well on subjects that are not reflective, but any shiny surface like compound eyes or beetle elytron will result in unwanted glare, unless you find a way to diffuse the light.

… Salvador Vitanza, 1 February, 2024 - 10:30am

I defintely want the glare (if not too overwhelming)

in habitus shots which tells me the surface is shiny and maybe even iridescent. I really struggle with recognizing the species in many studio photographs that alter or obscure the surface luster by the heavy use of diffused lighting. Assessing luster is so important diagnostically. After recognizing the reflective glare, my eye moves on to interpret the rest of the beetle surface. I understand that excellent insect photographers wish to remove such apparent blemishes for artistic/esthetic reasons.

… Peter W. Messer, 1 February, 2024 - 11:26am

That's OK

I was referring to unsightly results like this:

https://www.photomacrography.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=28008

but, like everything else in life, each illumination technique has its pros and cons. Whatever works.

I started with two ring lights back in 2016, and I loved the fact that they allowed me to get close to the subject.

I'm looking forward to seeing your posts.

… Salvador Vitanza, 1 February, 2024 - 12:06pm

I'm gaining experience with my new TG-7 camera.

My latest post is https://bugguide.net/node/view/2329376. There's still room for improvement in image editing of course.

… Peter W. Messer, 1 February, 2024 - 12:39pm

Still a nice image!

You're definitely getting the hang of it!

… Tyler Hedlund, 1 February, 2024 - 12:59pm

Tyler, Since you're interested in trying a TG-7:

https://bugguide.net/node/view/697226 might offer useful tips.

… Peter W. Messer, 1 February, 2024 - 1:56pm

Much appreciated, thanks Peter!

I hadn't seen that thread yet, very helpful!

… Tyler Hedlund, 1 February, 2024 - 3:27pm

Great job!

Thanks for sharing

… Salvador Vitanza, 1 February, 2024 - 12:43pm

Cool! I've been wanting to ge

Cool! I've been wanting to get a camera for a while (maybe I can once I get a job and start saving). My phone camera isn't particularly great for detailed images of insects, and as such isn't great for IDs.

… hemiptamantis, 5 January, 2024 - 11:11pm

I've heard good things

But have never personally tried it out. I believe the paleoentomology lab at UIUC is going to purchase one soon, so I'll have to get over there at some point to try it out.

… Tyler Hedlund, 3 January, 2024 - 1:49pm

Feb	MAR	Apr
	01
2023	2024	2025