Macro Photography: Shield Bug

 I've always loved insects and creepy crawlies, and they're one of my favourite things to photograph. I enjoy using the macro on my camera because I can capture detail which is near impossible to see in real life, as it is so small (and bugs tend to move quickly). These are a few of my favourites.

I like that the detail of this one is on the leaves, not the bug, as the light is coming through them, highlighting the veins of the leaves and silhouetting the bug.

 This one I find interesting because of the large patch of blue at the top, which contrasts with the busyness of the rest of the background. I also really like how the green of the leaf is being reflected by the shield bug.

 Sunlight, picking out the colour and texture of the bug's shell.

 I like the brightness in this photo, I haven't altered it in any way, because I quite like the washed-out effect it gives, and the reflection, which makes the shell look almost glittery.

 I like the detail of the shadow.

 I've altered the contrast in this one, so the green is much more vibrant and not as natural, but i like the way it picks out the veins of the leaves and the texture of the bug's shell.

 Cleaning his antenna. From this angle, it's legs remind me of a crab's.

close up of the shell's texture.

more close-up photography

Cabbage, coins and fabric decoration.

Close up photography.

A selection of photos taken with the macro function on my new camera, a Canon Powershot SX220. Some of these are fairly abstract because of the extreme close-ups, as they show details that you wouldn't normally notice.

 I like the texture on the fake greenery, and the slightly different shades of green on each strand.

 I really like the delicate little curly pieces in this Christmas decoration.
 This photo shows a lot of detail, the grain of the wood, the line on the side of the knife where it has been cast, the loose thread on the place mat and the weave of the fabric. I really like the lines going downwards and sideways.

 This picture has picked up the direction of the fur on Dexter's nose, as well as the pattern on the cushion.

 These two photos are of the net curtain, which has been ripped by Dexter. The rips are very small and hardly noticeable but because these photos are so close up, it seems to look organic, something you might see under a microscope.

 This is a part of a bracelet I got for Christmas, made of semi-precious stones. I think the beads look like the night sky.