Termite Guards

Image Critiques Macro/Close-up Critiques
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termite0124guyana6.jpg
termite0124guyana6.jpg1024×630 633 KB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

I never imagined termites would provide one of my photographic highlights in a given year, but here we are…

When I scouted Guyana back in January, I was pleased to get in some macro shooting. It’s one of the main aspects of my wildlife photography (along with underwater) where I have felt weakest over the years. One of the reasons is lighting. I’ve never been particularly confident with flash (and diffusers especially). It seemed that for many years I’d show up in the rainforest with a new flash/diffuser setup every time, because I could never find something that worked well… or, more likely, which I could confidently master in a short amount of time. :wink:

Things have improved lately, in part thanks to some encouragement from my peers to go for an off-camera flash and a small softbox. I’ve come away with much more pleasing images (IMO), and as a result am enjoying macro shoots and night walks even more than before.

Anyway, this was at our remote camp in Guyana during said night walks. We were heading through an area that was very good for a much larger subject—the goliath bird-eating spider—when I heard a clicking sound underfoot. I looked down to see a parade of commuting termites. I’d never seen (much less heard) termites out and about, only seeing their telltale nests on tree trunks. It was a very cool sight, and I wish I’d had time to record the sound. But when I looked more closely at the line I recognized some neat behavior: the termites had stationed their larger soldiers as guards along the edges of the traffic. I’d read about (and perhaps even see in documentaries) this behavior before, but never imagined I’d have a chance to document it. Thanks to my newfound confidence with my macro gear, I was able to snap a couple quick shots before the line disappeared underground.

Technical Details

Canon R3
Canon 100mm macro
ISO 1000
1/160th
f/13
Off-camera flash with softbox diffuser

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2 Likes
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Max: What a cool experience/discovery and an exceptionally fine result. The lighting looks completely natural and very complementary. I have to confess that I rarely use flash so I commend your persistence. Top notch shot. >=))>

2 Likes
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Max, this shows off the guarding behavior that you describe very well especially with the two guards at the toop. As Bill says, it’s nicely lit.

1 Like
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Max, I never heard of termites guarding. Wow, quite interesting. But even better is the shot, with very natural looking lighting. I am excited that you have found a method for using flash and are feeling more comfortable with macro. I hope to see even more of your fine work in this category.

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5

Very cool behavioral shot! I never heard of this behavior either, so it’s a new nugget of knowledge for me. Lighting looks great, termites pefectly in focus, and comp is ideal.
I also very rarely use a flash since I have no idea what I’m doing, so you have given me some confidence to try…
Excellent image!

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I also very rarely use a flash since I have no idea what I’m doing, so you have given me some confidence to try…

Sandy, I actually got my first “confidence boost” by purchasing a CygnusTech diffuser last year. This is an on-camera diffuser. They’re custom made by a guy in Australia based on your camera/flash specs, and I found it to produce much better results than any DIY diffuser setup I had used before. I was really pleased with it, but eventually the temptation to try off-camera flash with the softbox won out. For those that are new to macro flash and looking for an easy-but-effective setup, Cygnustech is a great option, IMO.

7

Very cool behavior, Max and the photograph is excellent technically with superb detail in the termites and the surroundings.

1 Like