Thanks.
I use the Laowa 100mm 2X macro lens on a Canon camera body, Canon flash with a DIY flash diffuser.
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I’ve got plenty that I love but my top would likely be either this lepidoptera https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/124807909 or this multi-species observation of a jumping spider eating a fly https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/79550881
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I work at a primary school where I went to the school gardens (schooltuinen) organized by the municipality of Amsterdam for every child living in Amsterdam. At times like that, my focus on observing nature is way in the background and my focus on the children takes priority.
However, at the schooltuinen I came across this pretty composition:
(Phone photo)
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Do you shoot underexposed then bring it up in post? I’m using a similar setup (Laowa lens, but on Nikon) and despite my diffuser I always end up with either a dark picture with not that much detail (compared to what I know the lens is capable of) or very harsh blown highlights.
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I do tend to shoot a little underexposed and in RAW. I shoot only in Manual mode and settings are…f9 - f11 aperture, 1/160 second - 1/200th second, ISO 200.
Flash unit settings varies between Manual mode around 1/8 to 1/2 power, and in TTL mode at +2/3rds to +1 1/3rd stops depending on the situation.
I have found that the background can effect the outcome of the image due to how much reflective flash there is, so at times I have to adjust the flash power and/or shutter speed, etc to get he best image.
With all said though, my settings are 90% of the time at …
ISO 200
f9 aperture
1/200th Shutter speed
Flash unit set at TTL mode @ +2/3rds - 1 stop
These settings may or may not work for you due to the difference in equipment (flash power, diffuser used, etc.) but the settings will get you in the ballpark and are a good place to start.
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Really great photos! I aspire to take photos like these someday!
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Thank you! I’m usually around 1/125 f16 (or even f22) ISO 200 with my flash at full power. I’ll try to open up my aperture and lower my flash power. I think I’m using a very small aperture as a crutch for my poor focusing skills and I might be paying for it.
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Thank you!!! Keep working at it…I’ve been tinkering around with photography since the late 1980’s and it’s a continual learning process, especially with macro. Just enjoy the journey.
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Yeah, on your aperture…I would recommend to stay at f11 or lower, anything smaller and you get diffraction usually starting around f16 and smaller.
Also, you will have to have a lower shutter speed to compensate and that is more likely to introduce shake, blurriness, movement artifacts.
Learn the rocking method for macro focusing if you’re not familiar with it already, (search for it).
Macro is very demanding and not easy…in reference to “poor” focusing skills…well just let me confess that I have many out of focus images also… 
LOL
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Don’t know how I’d even begin to choose. But this photo of juvenile horseshoe crabs was pretty memorable. I didn’t know they came in so many colours until that night:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/102846534
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These are some of my favourites:
Bullina lineata
Mycena interrupta
Octopus tetricus
Anthracophyllum archeri
Leptograpsus variegatus
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Awesome shots 
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Got this one a minute ago. Not the most technically or aesthetically impressive shot but a fun background.
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I almost dont spot it
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Beautiful and sharp. What add-on macro lens are you using for your iPhone?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08DQRKY6D/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
They upped the price since I got it but its durable and reliable and works well
Such a newbie here - so little time, so much to learn!!
I didn’t include this pic with the observation pics I uploaded. Wasn’t sure whether to or not. But now I realise this is such a lucky pic.
Koala breeding season here in Australia. I frequently see koalas and come across males fighting who can be very vocal when fighting as well as very physical. This shot shows one male trying to urinate on another. Whatever it takes to win the fight. Canon EOS M200 Camera on auto, facing the sun at sunset too.
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I have bunch of favourite photos, but if I had to choose a couple, maybe:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/184582168
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/184582215
They are heavily focus stacked images (more than 50 frames each).
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https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/185660734
Loved to see these two couples of Anser anser domesticus and, of course, the babies are so adorable 
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https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/189350609
Meal moth close-up
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