Buying Bugs for Macro Photography - 5 Tips for the Best Experience

[@scotimages]

Many thanks Alan. I started buying insects last year so I realise this video is a real gem. I strongly agree with all your general advice. I was really pleased to hear about the endangered insect species lists. I was very happy with the beetles I purchased as individual items from the UK dealer you recommend. However I bought a packet of 10 on ebay for £30 dealer unknown. The worst thing with the packet of mixed insects was the lack of species names. 10 is too many to start with. They were also less photographically interesting. Many thanks to your sponsor Jan.

[@Xairoo3k]

Translation: "I started to pay money for creatures that got killed so that I have can some fun". Really primitive.

[@andrewlamberson539]

I just received my 1st order from BicsBugs and I am very pleased with the bugs, the ordering process and tracking the delivery.

[@Dylanking10]

Love bicsbugs spent lots on their bugs

[@19Photographer76]

Hopefully my post won't be removed. In July 2022 the migratory Monarch butterfly was reclassified as Endangered on it's Red List.

[@BugBobsWildWorld]

Let me add some comments about specimens. Dry specimens are sometimes infested with dermestid beetles, so your order should be frozen for 24 hours to kill them. Same problem with storage. Dry specimens must be stored in airtight containers, preferably high quality specimen drawers. Also, museums are often offered collections, usually from relatives of a deceased collector. Make contact with your +/- local museums and let them know you'd like to have any such collections if they don't need/want them. Lastly, bug fairs usually have vendors that sell specimens, as we do every May here in Los Angeles. Both Bicsbugs and BioQuipBugs are vendors, plus many others. BTW, they offer "crafty" items (e.g. elytra earrings) because they sell very well at bug fairs and craft fairs, which my longtime friends, the Bics, attend.

[@AnaaNis1233]

I love watching your videos. Not just for the technical bits, also because of your work ethics, quality, pace and your very dry humour/sarcasm. Sad that neither me nor my kids had the pleasure to have a grandfather, but I am sure that I would have loved to have one like you. Your pictures are fantastic too, but this is more about the cameraman, not the pictures.

[@Steve-lh8by]

I've been collecting insects for over 40 years and I started by and still prefer entomology shows, here in the UK there are several over the year and although some can be 100+ mile round trip to attend but seeing what you are getting and the sheer variety on sale is fantastic and would highly recommend.

[@NYorkieMom]

Thank you for an extraordinarily informative video. I feel I'm in good hands now 😊

[@DavidBrown-if8vn]

Excellent video. I'd never considered much of what you mentioned. Thanks again Allan.

[@kevinroylancephotography9437]

Thanks for this. Just ordered my first bugs from the Butterfly Company over the weekend. Nice to know they have decent packing.

[@davechudnov6550]

I've bought from them a few times, always great products and support too, when I asked for it. They have some amazing things roll through their special auctions.

[@BerryLovesBugs]

24:40 Absolutely hilarious. Thanks for the insightful video.

[@markstevens6682]

Going out into nature looking for the insects to photograph is 99% of the satisfaction of Macro photography…

[@suikhuathang6480]

Thanks again......😃😃😃😃😃

[@ganjco8077]

Thanks Alan.. We buy live beneficials for the gardens.. my next order I plan on trying to find some good ones to shoot. often they come as larvae. I use aribico.

[@SomeonewithaSony]

Hey how are the compound eyes? Are they preserved well? How do they do that without them looking all collapsed? PS- what is the name of the Canadian company? I’m from Canada where our money is worth the same as a gum wrapper. Cheers

[@d.k.1394]

Nice

[@simonsmith2794]

Hi Allan, great video, I have been doing 1:1 macro for some time and would like to take it up a notch , insects are something I’m interested in but know very little about , could you advise what materials I would need , you mention pins and alcohol (I have plenty of whisky 😂) , is their a particular vendor , where I can buy ? , also how do you manipulate the appendages without damage ? , thanks again for a great video , subscribed

[@pthomas36]

HI Allan, I'm looking for the Discord invite so I can join. It's just listing as an @ sign in the show notes.