Macro Dragonfly

KwitkoKwitko Sheriff of Banning (Retired)By the thing near the stuff Icrontian
edited July 2012 in Lifestyle
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.

DSC_6037

Comments

  • BobbyDigiBobbyDigi ? R U #Hats ! TX Icrontian
    Happy Dragonfly is Happy

    Great Pic Kwitko

    -Digi
  • JokkeJokke Bergen, Norway Icrontian
    I gotta agree. It looks happy.
  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    Awesome! He's like "YAYYY!"
  • CantiCanti =/= smalltime http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9K18CGEeiI&feature=related Icrontian
    whoa
  • KwitkoKwitko Sheriff of Banning (Retired) By the thing near the stuff Icrontian
    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

  • KwitkoKwitko Sheriff of Banning (Retired) By the thing near the stuff Icrontian
    LOL. HAI UTHER DAGONFYL!!!
    DSC_5991
  • shwaipshwaip bluffin' with my muffin Icrontian
    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.
  • KwitkoKwitko Sheriff of Banning (Retired) By the thing near the stuff Icrontian
    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.
  • shwaipshwaip bluffin' with my muffin Icrontian
    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.
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