These links will lead you through this thread where certain aspects of fly photography are discussed. This thread is a conversation so it is not a tidy presentation of categories, and the entire thread should be read in full, but these might help navigate a subject of interest.
Presentation/Compostion
http://www.flymphforum.com/viewtopic.ph ... 1&start=60
http://www.flymphforum.com/viewtopic.ph ... 1&start=10
http://www.flymphforum.com/viewtopic.ph ... 1&start=70
Backgrounds - near the bottom of Page 5 and onto Page 6
http://www.flymphforum.com/viewtopic.ph ... 1&start=40
Prime Examples
http://www.flymphforum.com/viewtopic.ph ... 1&start=40
Photo Set-Up
http://www.flymphforum.com/viewtopic.ph ... 1&start=70
Aperture and Depth of Field discussions
http://www.flymphforum.com/viewtopic.ph ... 1&start=80
So briefly, I recently acquired a used Nikon D5100, a 40mm prime Macro lens and a tripod. I have a couple close-up filters that I haven't tried, would like to get a set of extension tubes to test and a ring light to try, but for now I'm working with the lens and the two Ott lights that I used in my past set up. It sounds like it's getting complicated, but there is a method to the madness and the end should result in some flexibility for a variety of shots, but also lead to reproducing very consistent images, not unlike the comparative style that I've used for my the past few years. I just wanted to show the beginnings of the process and hopefully get some guidance to move forward.
Previous attempt with older compact camera
Pheasant Tail Nymph with CDC Wingcase - 2011
First attempt with new DSLR camera.
Pheasant Tail Nymph with CDC Wingcase - 2015 - I might need a soft filter paper over light sources.
Later attempt after some experimention Edit to post
Pheasant Tail Nymph with CDC Wingcase - June 2015
Some of the best images I've seen are of Catskill dries standing on a stone, but that works because they stand like little soldiers in their photogenic posture. It's the soft-hackles that pose the most trouble when not using a vise or clamp of some sort. Some of the better displays have the hook point very slightly stuck in something in a way that holds the fly in a photogenic position and some do a fine job lying them on their sides, but for many this is difficult. I'd love to see examples of what you like most in photos. Comments on the merits of the well lit profile view per Hans, etc, vs. other display techniques would also be interesting to explore.
Thanks in advance for any input. We seem to have many of the best in the world knocking around this forum. It would mean a lot to have this topic explored further for those who are interested. I'll post my old set up and when I get a better idea of what I want from my new arrangement I'll get pics of this too.
w
.