Night Macro

Night time is the right time!

The why of night
At night, life in the undergrowth emerges into a different set of variety compares to the day; a glimpse into others that remain hidden during daytime. While in fact, most insects are nocturnal, this is to prevent too much exposure to sun, also, there are lesser predators during the night.

Most of all, it is so much cooler and chill at night! And the rewarding supper after night macro :)

Night Macro Rig
Being at night, of course, night macro is done using flash, and something to shine a light with. Torchlight or headlamp, i'm using both. A headlamp to find my way around through the jungle, this also make it easier for me to look for insects/herps on branches. A torchlight is used as a focusing light, great stuff for composing with light on macro objects.

My night macro rig constructed from a mount of Nikon R1 on attachment ring: Nikon D700 + 68mm Extension Tubes + Tamron SP90 + DIY Diffuser. See my night macro rig over here. Shooting on full flash, thus, adding torchlight or focusing light will have no effect on images as full flash and exposure fast enough to remain as the only light source.

Headlamp and Torchlight i'm using

If you're interested in macro photography and worry about how to start, check our some of the workshops from my mentor- Kurt (Orionmystery)- Macro Workshop 

Here are some of the images from Night Macro.

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Antlion (Myrmeleontidae)

a subadult of Orange-necked Keelback (Macropisthodon flaviceps)

Brahminy Blind Snake (Ramphotyphlops braminus)

Brown Wolf Snake (Lycodon effraenis)

Dragon Headed Katydid (Eumegalodon)

Emerging Dragon (Odonata)

female Zodariid spider with ant prey

Flower Mantis Nymph (Theopropus elegans)

Robber Fly (Asilidae) with Spider Wasp Prey (Pompilidae)

Systella rafflesii Westwood, 1841 (Dead Leaf Grasshopper)

Mole Cricket (Gryllotalpidae)

Pink headed Reed Snake (Calamaria schlegeli)

Night time Wonders. 

JW.

2. 0. 1. 3

Life is like shooting on film

it develops from the negatives

it be get tough sometimes

you gotta hold on, like a carousel

going around & around & around. 

HAPPY 2013!

Regards,
JW

The Weeping Earth!

"the earth is weeping, forests are falling, Lynas is operating"

My country makes me gut-wrenching. Pathetic. Yes. Malaysia governing authorities have been cutting down trees more than they grow. This is not science fiction, the thicker the CO2 blanket, the warmer the Earth. Scientists, environmentalists had been warning about "the 11th Hour", look! Who cares?

Several years ago, my government approved development on reserved forests like Taman Rimba Kiara and Bukit Gasing. How could anyone even think about demolishing ancient forestation? Greedy imbeciles.  Would you dare demolishing your ancestors' tomb? Both of the reserve parks had been through months of protesting, petition signing to put a halt on the bulldozers.

Look at the approval of Lynas plant (radioactive), Chemical plants, it all blemishing my beautiful home, Kuantan. Imagine how many beautiful forest Lynas had put down for the refinery of a 140 football fields. How many magical flora, fauna lost their habitats? How long are we going to suffer under the governing bodies of lack in social responsibilities?

Before each and every flora, fauna extinct on the hand of my governing bodies, i would love to do a  documentation on my favorite creatures, Spiders.

Spiders are found worldwide on every continent except for Antarctica, they'd established themselves well across every habitat with the exception of air and sea colonization. Yes! They do live among us. Spiders are in fact, NOT insects, they are Arachnid, easily distinguish from insect as insects have six legs and arachnid have eight legs.

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the biggest Spider i ever encountered! a size of my palm!

Featuring, my favorite shot of all time

and Bonus: Cutest Arachnid of all time, Harvestman

Dear Readers,
if you're one of those who love looking at flora or fauna, it's time for you to stand up, leave your Facebook or Twitter at home, NO! You won't die without Facebook for half a day! there are many NGOs and Youth Environmental Group out there! They need your help! Go out join the Fight for our environment.

Regards,
JW

Ps: if you're interested to join the environmental fight and couldn't locate any environment activists out there, just drop me an email @ heejennwei@yahoo.com

the love of Macro Photography

i thought i should start a post conveying my love for macro photography.

Personally, i first became interested in macro was at forums... looking through hundred of insect shots, it awed me. Not long after, i purchased my macro lens and attended macro workshop!

i love exploring. Especially the nature! i love how insects seem locking their eyes with the lens and follow it as i move, or otherwise, leap off as i approach. it never occured to me that insects actually watch us humans! Seeing a insect at a high magnification reveal such amazing details under full flash or natural light, it got me addicted. i was then, joined a group of macro enthusiastic photographers, exploring reserved forests, parks, orchard... sometimes, around my neighbourhood, mostly scares off my neighbours. the beauty of macro open my eyes to beauty of something we don't pay attention to, something we see but don't actually give a damn.

Macro then, become my passion.

sharing some of my wimpy shots

One of a recent found of a spider that amazed me so much! the Golden comb-footed spider!

Regards,
JW


P/s: i won't be able to update my blog as often as before, i have my pledge on Stop Lynas! Save Malaysia mission.

Stop Lynas! Solidarity Walk

Stop Lynas! Campaign is now marching on the second phase, first memorandum was submitted to the Prime Minister office in March 2011, and now successfully handed a second memorandum to the Australia High Commission. 6 representatives were greeted in the goodwill of Australia Embassy, the High Com had their words to give us an answer 3 weeks from now.

While waiting for the unknown, Stop Lynas! Campaign is now moving onto the third phase, what's next? Just you wait. We shall not rest until Lynas is Stopped and authorities are subjected to the penalty upon the infringement of law.

the Memorandum.

First batch onto the Solidarity Walk, embarking on the freedom ride.

Thrill with fears. A total of 10 FRU trucks welcoming our arrival, yes i was thrilled with fears! Oh, i'd mentioned that. i'd well prepared spending the rest of my weekend contained. After a motivational talk from YB. Tian Chua, and support from Pahang Bar Council, SUHAKAM, i just can't wait for the Nasi Lemak + Air Kosong in lockup!

the FRU trucks.

Policemen stand guard in front of the High Com, foreclose anyone from crossing the road to the Embassy.
"Exploit Malaysia, Discover yourself in Radiation", welcome to a comprehended radioactive holiday in Kuantan! Enjoy your radiation stays. That's our Tourism catch phrase!

FRU hinders on the main road of Jalan Yap Kuan Seng.

Almighty Thor was trying to help out, little did he knows, he only brought rains on our parade. Yet, it did not dampen our souls.

the lack of support from the Govt., Authorities had brought us together, all the multiracial groups even closer. We stand firmer than ever as a unit, through endeavour we succeed.

the law enforcement officers against unity.

6 representatives getting ready to send in the memorandum.

a retired high school teacher, my high school teacher!!!

PKR Air Putih, Kuantan Ranting Chief, Lee Chean Chung

YB. Tian Chua's impromptu, it was emotional, passionate, and it touches every single souls of Kuantan citizens.
thank you for sacrificing your life in exchange of people's freedom.

YB. Elizabeth Wong came for support; YB. Tian Chua sneaking my picture! :)

the representatives are finally out, a mission accomplished.

Ever since March 8th, it's plain to see that we are no longer living incumbent on current governing parties, Malaysian citizens had stretched out onto political maturity. We might be a third world country but we are not imbecile. Our children shall not be living under the risk of radiation, please stop sending lobbyists to Kuantan telling us that how safe Radioactive wastage is. Please listen! I beg you my Government, it's our health you're playing at stake.

2 MCA representatives were sent to Australia for a tour of Lynas, came back proudly acclaimed Lynas is Safe. Until EAP report was out, these 2 comedians quickly change their statements telling the press that they were not fully understand Lynas' operation.

WE ARE NOT IMBECILES

WE'RE ONTO POLITICAL MATURITY

CHANGES THAT START WITHIN US.

Regards,

JW