Shooting Bugs

Joe Clokey of San Luis Video Publishing had a film to shoot on entomology. I built a rig that pivoted the lens about it's front to keep the bugs the same distance from the lens when panning and tilting. If the camera moved about a regular head, especially tilting, the distance would change. (See Compound Head) A simple Bogan Manfredo Head gave smooth moves.

To allow easy placement of the bugs on their plants I made an elevator for the pots to move easily up and down.

Joe built a small green house to use sunlight and avoid wind problems.

The film includes a collection of slides shot over many years with moves described in "Shooting Slides".
Two 400-mm diopter lenses allowed zooming and focusing to follow the bugs close-up.

© Copyright 1999-2004 Ron Dexter. All Rights Reserved.