Name: Chien Lee
Picture title: Stick Insects and Volcano
Category: Insects
Nationality: American
Occupation: Photographer / Guide

Chien says:
‘High up in the frigid páramo tundra around Cotopaxi volcano was the last place I expected to find a stick insect. Yet, here among the frost-encrusted vegetation was one of the most fascinating species I had ever encountered. Occurring up to 5000m on these mountain slopes, Monticomorpha flavolimbata is able to withstand freezing temperatures that would be deadly to most other insects. I wanted to photograph this species amid its beautiful alpine landscape, hence the use of a wide-angle lens. Fortunately, these insects are relatively placid and slow moving, so I didn’t have to worry much about my close approach with the camera which was necessary to achieve an image with this point-of-view.’

Technical information:
Nikon D810
Laowa 15mm f/4 macro
ISO 640
f/11
1/50sec
Accessories: Tripod, mounted flash with custom diffuser
Post processing: Basic adjustments in Lightroom.

Website: chienclee.com
Instagram: chienleephotography
Facebook: chienleephotography
Flickr: cclborneo