Macro Dragonfly

Kwitko

So I have this slight obsession with photographing dragonflies. It all started at EPIC when I snapped a 12-spotted skimmer by the pond, using a tiki lamp as a monopod.

I recently picked up some new equipment, including extension tubes, macro ring flash, and focusing rails. Anyone who has tried to photograph dragonflies knows it takes a great deal of patience, but in the end it pays off. Today I found a few hovering around my backyard, and I slapped 48mm worth of extension tubes and my 50mm f/1.8 onto my trusty camera. I went back and forth for what must have been a good hour. No tripod, just steady hands, breath-holding, and hopes that no wind would kick up. So yeah, I'm pretty happy with my first attempt. There's definitely room for improvement.

Ivan

BobbyDigi

Happy Dragonfly is Happy

Great Pic Kwitko

-Digi

Jokke

I gotta agree. It looks happy.

primesuspect

Awesome! He's like "YAYYY!"

Canti

whoa

Kwitko

Tech specs, for those interested:
Nikon D300, Nikon 50mm f/1.8 lens with 48mm extension tubes
1/250 shutter @ f/7.1, ISO 200
Cropped and color-corrected with Photoshop

Kwitko

LOL. HAI UTHER DAGONFYL!!!

shwaip

great pics. tubes are great fun to play with


does your camera let you focus bracket? You might give focus stacking a look to get a bit more dof.

Kwitko

I have a focusing rail, but how does one manage that when the subject is constantly moving?

Next time I am going to use a smaller f-stop and my tripod.

shwaip

that's the advantage of having in camera focus bracketing. you can snap off 3 shots as fast as possible, giving you a chance to actually get the bug without it moving.

'pros' just freeze the insect, then take the shots.