Mounting and Cleaning Tiny Insects - for high magnification macro photography
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- Опубліковано 30 бер 2020
- A deeper dive into the special challenges of preparing very small subjects (ants, fruit flies, and smaller) for high magnification photography. In this video I cover the selection and application of an appropriate "handle", the use of ultrasonic cleaners, appendage relaxation, drying techniques, and the art of insect posing using a lens cleaning blower.
These techniques are not for the faint of heart! They require a steady hand, concentration, and a great deal of patience. But the results are well worth the effort!
Alan, I'd just like to say how generous you are sharing all these long and hard won tips and tricks with everyone. You're a wonderful man. Kudos to you!
Thank you, doctor!
True
Looks like a Master Class. !!
Thanks again for all of your hard work on these video's.
Wonderful. Thank you for the technical and human wisdom
Thank you so much for making this video and going to this level of detail. It's very helpful.
Thanks, Bips! Glad you found it helpful!
‘Thanks Allan for the great tips on how you prepare your insects for high Magnification images, and hope you will show another video soon on how you then photo-stack in such detail your subject’s with the Photographic equipment you use after going through the process of preparing your insect. Because they real are fabulous images!
For me, this channel is absolutely the most useful content on the net! Please keep making fabulous videos, Allan!
Hahaha... I'm not buying that, but thanks for the compliment and I certainly will keep making them, as long as you guys are watching them!
alright allan. i know this video of yours on mounting/cleaning insects has been around for 2 years. still it was precisely what i needed, and was looking for, to up my game in the insect-cleaning realm. this video alone is worth my full-year patreon membership:) thanks man.
Very Interested info. about cleaning the bugs. This is a tough job not that's easy and needs a lot of patience. Thanks for sharing!
Many thanks Allan, very informative.
superb video, awesome explanations about the complete process cheers!!!
It is the best learning video for macro photography,I learnt a lot,thank you sir.
Great insight into cleaning insects. Iv'e never done it before but will now try it, knowing where to start and how to do it. Thanks Allan.
Great content… thank you so much, Sir! Stay safe and healthy as well! Best from Germany
Great tips and summary Allan!👍🦟🐜🕷
If you would have told me a few months ago that I would be watching a 40+ minute video on mounting and cleaning tiny insects, I would have called you crazy. If you would have told me that I was going to thoroughly enjoy it, as I very much did, I would have thought you completely off your rocker. I really enjoyed this tutorial, Allan. Cant wait to see more. Stay safe my friend.
Thanks Stephen... if you had told me I would be making 40+ minute videos on any subject, I'd have said the same thing. Thanks for watching! And stay safe.
Excellente vidéo. Merci beaucoup pour vos conseils et le partage de votre expertise.
Thank you for all these information , I love macro photography and I have watched you on you tube , really I loved this kind of photographing and the Technic , I stared focus staking and now I will prepare myself for real insect photographing.
Thank you very much and have a great Easter .Stay safe
Redmoon Zomaya
Sydney - Australia
Thank you, Redmoon! I'm excited to hear that you are getting into macro! It is such a satisfying pastime! Good luck!
Perfect timing! I'm currently in the middle of pinning my first beetle!
Excellent! Beetles are nice and stable when mounted. Good luck!
Great video! Thanks.
I have returned to this video to take detailed notes. The very process of taking notes reveals just how many lessons from experience are packed into this video. I’m also glad I took advantage of the opportunity to purchase a couple years ago a good quality stereoscope from a friend who is a manufacturer’s rep and had a demo unit available at a significant discount.
Excellent! I'm glad the material is helpful. I was at a thrift shop yesterday and found a virtually new, lab quality, compound microscope, in perfect condition, for $20! Beat that!
@@AllanWallsPhotography That is an amazing find! Not too useful for sample preparation, but opens up a whole new world to explore.
A magnifier lamp with LED ring light should grace every work table (along with a stereoscope) of course. The Magnifier app on the newer iPhones is worth experimenting with.
The word "master" is not enough to describe your work, patience, and dedication. Amazing info, thanks a lot!
tbh, look at the author macro portfolio and then think again. Compare that with works of peoples like John Hallmén or Thomas Shahan... All of that overkill with tons of chemicals and utilities doesn't produce even decent results.
or check flickr of Marek Wyszomirski, all of his work is made outdoor.
@@bluebird1422 You do realise Thomas does not do this level of macro? He does mostly handheld photography. Allan's photography is microscopic and very in depth.
Priceless information , thank u sir
Very good. Thanks a lot
I’m a bug/insect fanatic!! I don’t like them but I’m interested in them big time. Thanks for all your videos.
Filling like in groundschool. Great Allan.
This was great thank you
Hello Alan, just want to say it was great watching your video on insects. I been into photography for 9 years always looking into different photography projects. Moon photography, sunset photography, startrail photography, silky water photography, and more. One thing I haven't done is insects micro photography. So by watching your video, which is the only one I found with a lot of details, will help me in doing a photographer project on insects micro photography. Thanks for sharing your wonderful video. Also stay safe out there.
Thanks! I hope you have as much fun with it as I do!
Perfect !!
Fantastic vlog very interesting and learn a lot 👍
Grandissimo
Insulin syringes have very small needles on them and also the syringe itself is something to hold on to.
Ordered some beetles online and going to try this once they arrive. Until then I will watch videos. Thanks.
Very cool! Most online sellers will send you very clean and well preserved specimens, but it is still a good idea to give them a quick rinse if there is any dirt visible.
Your Awesome 👍🏻
HI Allan, great video, thank you. Can I please clarify what sort of detergent is used? You said "dishwasher liquid, not the detergent type...the stuff in the bottle". Do you mean liquid that you use in a dishwashing machine? I would have thought and sort of surfactant would work.
Hello. Luv your wonderful and informative videos. This may seemingly a silly question but were do you get the insects... intact?
Thanks for the detailed info! For the ultrasonic cleaner, I see other sites/posts stating to get lower powered or variable ultrasonic cleaners to help avoid destroying the insect. Most of the inexpensive cleaners seem to be 42000 Hz but many recommend less than that for insects. What is the frequency of yours and/or have you had many issues with the insects getting destroyed (even with your tea strainer method)?
Hi and thanks for the question. The unit I have is just a cheap ($70) one and nowhere on the unit or online do they list the frequency. It is a 130 watt cleaner and I have always assumed it was close to 42000Hz. I have been using it almost daily for five years. I use slightly warm water with a drop of detergent, a surfactant, and softener - but never the ultrasonic cleaning powder that you would use to clean metal. I have read many of the same comments you have about the risk of damaging specimens, but I have never, ever had a single appendage or antenna fall off. I even clean delicate subjects that have been sitting in alcohol for 3 years, and never have an issue. As for cleaning, 3-5 minutes will remover virtually every particle of dirt. For very, very dirty bugs, I will occasionally run two or three cycles, and still don't have issues with damage. I wonder if some of those folks writing about damage are using a unit that heats the liquid, or using an abrasive cleaner - either of those could cause problems, I imagine. I almost always use the tea strainer, to keep the bug submerged, and even when a limb or two get stuck in the strainer there is still no damage. Last thing... I would be lost without this gadget - I have never been able to get compound eyes this perfectly clean with any other technique. Hope this helps!
Excellent and informative! What about pinning legs and wings like an entomologist does? I have a beetle soaking in isopropyl alcohol that decided to spread his wings after I put him in there. I'm not sure if I should try to pose him with the wings out or if I should try to tuck them back away. Any thoughts on that?
Hi Robbie, To pose an insect, I'll soak it in a little detergent, and water softener, with or without appendage relaxer, until I can put wings, legs, etc. where I want them. Then I put the insect in the pose I want, on a small piece of foam board, and use to pins to hold parts where I want them until it dries. But I don't pin the insect itself, just the board. When it starts drying the parts will usually stay where you positioned them. I never puncture insect parts with the pins unless it is the one pin to taking the pictures. They have a way of ripping wings and removing legs otherwise!
Your videos are brilliant Alan. I have learned so much. Ive even built a cage “equivalent” on a 3” thick breadboard inspired by your cage design. I have a question. I have followed your videos on preparing and mounting insects. I now follow you approach of arranging the insect on a pin that pierces a small square of board. Then cleaning and pinning the legs. My question is what is the best way of then removing the insect from the board and remounting for photography. Unfortunately your video stops just short of doing this. Thanks
Thanks Roger, this is typically something I only do with large insects that need a lot of positioning and I plan to keep for a while. So I will pin them and put them back in alcohol for a few days up a many months. Usually, by the time you remove them from the board they are fixed in the pinned position and re-pinning and mounting is very simple. But every case is different and it all depends on what I am trying to accomplish. The vast majority of the time I am shooting fresh subjects so this workflow is not required. Are you having a particular issue? I am getting ready to release a course on positioning and posing and I cover everything in that. Email me if you still have questions - contact @allanwallsphotography.com
Thx for great video. Can you tell me please how can I clean hairy insects like bees and spiders with a little hairs
Super vidéo, merci beaucoup pour les conseils. qu'elle alcool utilisez-vous 90°60° pour conserver les insectes , merci de votre réponse.
Thanks for the video. You a great teacher 👍
I have some insects but still not working with them. You recommend to put them in alcohol or let them in the dry little Box?
Definitely alcohol (91% rubbing alcohol works well). If you let them dry they will mummify and fall apart. The alcohol will also slow down any fungal or mold growth.
@@AllanWallsPhotography thanks Allan.
Hello, i have question, can`t find any answer in internet. How to clean butterfly?
Excellent video, Allan! Question. When leaving the specimen in alcohol for storage, will the compound eye stay intact, such as, shape, color, etc? I’ve read on a specific website that if a specimen is left moist for too long that the eyes might get dented. Cheers, all the way from Texas!
Thanks for the question. I depends on a number of factors, the insect, its condition prior to preserving, how long it is in alcohol, etc. Even the hardiest of insects, with thick exoskeletons, will eventually break down. But even degraded eyes can be rehabilitated, to a degree, when they are taken out of the alcohol. A quick wash in purified water with a little detergent and surfactant will replace the alcohol and restore the shape of the eye. Ultrasonic cleaning may also help, but should be used with caution in older specimens. Denting is a result of breakdown of the compound eye's delicate inner structure, from physical trauma, or both. I have kept eyes in alcohol for years, yet still been able to photograph them provided they are handled very gently. Don't leave any insects out of alcohol any longer than necessary. Rinse, dry, photograph, and return to clean alcohol - and your bugs can last a long time.
Allan Walls Photography Thank you, Allan! Your answer really clarified things for me. I just recently started my new journey into the extreme macro world, and dirty insects have been kicking my butt, but lucky me, I ran into this video this morning. 👏👏👏 Thank you for your quick response, and keep those awesome videos coming. Stay safe, my friend!
That answers several questions Allan, thank you. I wonder if there is a bathtub size ultrasonic cleaner to clean old geezers like me ;) ...hmmmm
You would need a ton of blu tack to keep your parts off the bottom. Hahaha.
Hey Allan! What type of alcohol are you using to keep the insects and how long can you have them with no damage? Thanks a lot
Wonderful video. I a new subscriber and have looked through all your videos, I'm also new Macro shooting and am interested in trying insects. Odd question, is there a place online to purchase dead insects or no? Do you capture yours live? Thank you.
Hi Darrell, good to have you on board. There actually are several online suppliers of insects. I have never actually used any of them, but I know a ton of people who have. I prefer to do hunting for my own with a sweep net. A very relaxing and rewarding way to spend an afternoon (not so much for the insects). I found this supplier (thornesinsects.com) but there is no way I would spend that kind of money for a dead insect!
Never mind I have discovered your other amazing tutorials. Thank you so much. I have been free shooting insects for a while and occasionally I get some good results but can be very frustrating if they don't like to sit still.
great video, would hate to be a "fly on your Wall" as I can guess where the insects come from ( if the wife and flyswatter don't get there first! ) :-))
you said you had a microscope, did you also have the ability with it to manipulate those insects, aka like the reproductive science people do, the needle with joystick controls, as this would be the definatively most accurate way of working in this macroscopic world, and do you also mount the camera to the microscope as well, or do you prefer macro lenses/ bellows to photograph them.
Ty ☕️
Hi Allan, would you know of any alternatives to sodium tripolyphosphate - it's a little difficult to purchase in the UK. Thanks, Bips
Hi Bips, there are several effective softeners and at least one that I used when I was in the UK. That one is citric acid, which you can get at Tesco, in 3 years, when they open up again. My mum used it in baking, and used to get it from Sainsbury's, back in the day. Other options are sodium phytate, EDTA, and everyone's party favorite, trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate. Your best bet would be citric acid, but in a pinch, a few drops of Fairy Liquid, which I am pretty sure has softeners in it. Good luck!
@@AllanWallsPhotography Many thanks Allan, much appreciated. My ultrasonic machine is on the way and I'm excited to start using your techniques asap.
Any chance you can put links to products used in the description. The information is brilliant.
Thanks Daniel. I will add the links as soon as I have a few minutes - in the meantime, if you have any specific sourcing questions, shoot me an email (contact@allanwallsphotography.com) and I'll answer them.
Allan Walls Photography thanks Allan, wasn’t anything specific, had to rewind to write down product names. Brilliant channel, straight talking full of genuine advice. Appreciate the time it takes to create.
lol the wobbling tweezers is probably due to rolling shutter (a CMOS problem with lag)... that’s wild 😜
Excellent tutorial! How much Sodium Tripolyphosphate do you use in that amount of water? I couldn't understand that from the video. I think you say a few grams, and then something like a quarter, so I'm not clear.
Good question! I put about 10 grams in a 500cc bottle - that is probably way too much, but it seems to do the job pretty well, and it lasts forever.
@@AllanWallsPhotography Thank you for the answer. Oh, so you do reuse the same liquid several times?
@@hbadino Yes - I make up a large container and use it whenever I need something with greater surface acting properties than simple soap and water. I gallon lasts me about 6 months!
Very good ideas on cleaning insects. For problem relaxing I use #6374 Barber’s Fluid from Bioquip Prod. entomology supplies.
I haven't used Barber's fluid since college - I am surprised to hear anyone is still selling benzene! My preferred approach for really tough cases is one of the proteolytic enzymes.
Hi Allan, wanted to ask you how to store the insects for long time. I took an home fly and put in to 70%alcohol and week after is got darken. Somehow lost the color.
Hi Kristijan, many people prefer 70% isopropyl alcohol, but for long term storage I am happier with 91%. All insects will appear to lose color and darken when stored in alcohol - but when you take them out and thoroughly dry them, almost all of the color returns. There is a limit to this, but I have several specimens that are several years old. They look dark and monochrome in the alcohol, but brighten up beautifully when carefully and completely dried. Another important thing to remember is that the preservation of color will be best when the insect is washed, rinsed, and dried as soon as possible after death and before placing in alcohol. Hope that helps!
@@AllanWallsPhotography You are guru, man. Thanks for your time and patience. And for your info, YOU HELPED ME VEEERY MUCH, WATCHING YOUR VIDEOS. keep on going.
Hi. What can i put on my insects to make it shiny? Or make the color pop?
Most of the time I try to make my insects less shiny. Highly reflective bugs are considerably harder to photograph. But if I wanted to do so, I would use a small Q-tip to brush a tiny coating of mineral oil onto the surfaces I wanted to shine. As for making the colors pop, shoot in raw and the carefully add saturation and brightness to the hues that you want to emphasize in Lightroom (or any photo editing program). Lighting is also very important - use flash or high-quality LEDs.
Allan Walls Photography - - Talking with your brothers - - I wonder if God allows things like pandemics to bring us closer to Himself and to each other. Seems to work that way. Anyway, thanks for the great tutorial. I learned a ton and, as a newbie, I realized that I don't need to just scour the woods and hope I can hold the camera still enough - - now I have options. There is another neat way to get the portraits of those bugs. A couple of questions: what is the clay-like stuff used to suspend the pins in the ultrasonic cleaner? And what level of magnification have you found is the best when checking for debris after the bath? (and I should look for a Stereo microscope, correct?)
Thanks again, Allan!
Great questions! The stuff I hold the pins with is generic Blu Tac. It works great and can be recycled. I like to examine my subjects at around 5x, under a stereo dissecting microscope ($50-100 for a decent used one on eBay). You can see almost any debris at that magnification, with good lighting. It also makes mounting/pinning so much easier and more accurate. Cheers,
Allan
Will relaxing the insect with steam from hot water cloud the compound eyes?
Not always, but usually. I never use hot water or steam. I prefer the slow relaxation method (soak absorbent material in warm water and ammonium hydroxide, cover with a piece of foil or tracing paper, but the insect on top of the paper. Seal the container and leave it for a few hours. Pose limbs as soon as soon as they are relaxed). But be careful, if the bug stays in this moist chamber too long, it will start to grow fungus. If the eyes are cloudy, try rinsing the specimen in surfactant solution.
@@AllanWallsPhotography Would isopropyl work instead of the ammonium hydroxide?
I've been a photographer since the 70s
20 years professionally
I have done a couple focus stacks
Using the remedial stationary 3 or 4 frame "focus ring"? Stacks
"Manually" stacked in plain old ,Antiquated photoshop CS3 and elements 😂
I want to move up to the next level
I have so many questions
Thank you for this
I will watch you library
Where do you find STPP?
Hi Terry. I got it on Amazon. About 8 ounces for under 10 bucks... www.amazon.com/Tripolyphosphate-Pure-Ingredients-Eco-Friendly-Packaging/dp/B01MU0AVL9/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=sodium+tripolyphosphate&qid=1585693189&sr=8-7
Hi Allan, A very interesting demonstration how to clean insects etc.For me sre it's going to be difficult with one hand.I believe that the insects will have already made a feast out of me until I mange to do this job.LOL. I have send you some info on your personal FaceBook on how to make multiple contacts.
Hi Mario... I know you are going to find a way to do this one-handed - I have faith in you! I'll check my FB page... thanks.
@@AllanWallsPhotography Thanks for your full support.
🤙
Allan or you can use dental loupes .a 2X can just do it.
My loupes are a higher magnification with a very tight field of view - I only ever used them for vascular anastomoses. But I'll certainly give them a try. I never thought of that! Thanks!
I can try my printer loupe from days gone by when we had a small print shop.
@@onegreenev Hi Pete... I actually have an old printer's loupe - forgot all about it. I'll give that a try as well.
that ant seems to have a lice??
It looks like a mite - you would be amazed how many bugs have bugs!
Well...iguess You can't say, "No Insects were harmed during the filming...!"
That is true. I think it is an unfortunate reality that occasionally I do have to harvest tiny insects more indiscriminately than I would prefer in order to find the species I'm looking for. But every specimen is cleaned, prepared, and preserved, and will be photographed over the following months. The yield of high quality images that can be used in publications, educational programs, and countless other ways is very high and I think it makes the process a necessary evil. I take no pleasure from dispatching specimens, but on balance I believe the ends do justify the means. One last point is that the creatures are killed using the most humane method I am aware of (ethyl acetate). If your comment was meant in a more lighthearted way, I still appreciate you bringing it up, as it is a very valid point. Thanks.
Allan, your Background Music is always louder than your Voice and detracts from what you are saying.
LOL
Did you kill that insect ?
Allan, I mailed you a package at your home address and it should be in your mailbox.
Thank you, Sir - package received and thank you note already sent! I am on the ball today!
Save the money on the digital microscope, patience will yield a fine American Optical Stereo microscope for $100 or less on eBay. The optical interaction blows the digital experience away.
Hi William... without a doubt. My old dissecting scope was by far the best tool for the job. Unfortunately, I haven't found a replacement for under $300. But I have also never looked at the AO brand. Will check them out for sure! Thanks!
Allan Walls Photography Bausch and Lomb is another good vintage stereo microscope that can be had for a reasonable price.
@@WilliamBanik Indeed... I've been looking at the Stereozoom 3. But I see a lot of reasonable priced options on eBay. Thanks!
@@AllanWallsPhotography Enjoy my friend, Nothing quite like a good stereo microscope. It makes working on insects so much more enjoyable and really brings to focus areas you may wish to photograph!
I would like to know did you kill these insects? Or did you find them? Funny thing is a good photographer would shoot live insects for real. Having that much time is easy. Get a life or job. Killing animals for photos doesn’t do it for me.