Shot outside in all natural light. Hand held, No Flash, Shutter Priority, +0.3Step Exp. Compensation, Metering Mode(Pattern)
Special Thanks very much in advance for any comments left :)
This is the last shot I took in Aug, since have been very busy at work to take any pics at all. It's been more than two weeks since I took the shot and I cant wait to start to posting again. I haven't gotten a chance to vote or comment since as well, but you folks amaze me with your works of art. I plan to revisit the older challenges and leave my comments and fave more than a few.
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Awesome, thanks for the top10 :)
These smaller kinds of dragonflies love to perch in the warm sun while the larger ones prefer the shade during the day time. Their flight paths remind me of warriors patrolling a border, especially the ones that come out at sunset to catch those pesky mosquitoes.
It does happen that two dragonflies intersect each other in mid air. Would be awesome to catch that on film. The the geography of the area here makes it really hard to even catch them in flight.
Don't think the photo would've been as unique without the scar on its eye, though it's not a really big one. I've seen bigger. Could've just titled this one "Say Cheese" because they have this almost constant smilely look on their faces.
--more shooting details:
Didn't use any extra lens attachments or accessories, just the body+lens.
Getting in this close requires use of manual not auto focus, then slightly move your body in and out to get the proper focus and fire of a continuous 2-3 shots. Much easier to get this done if leaning against something. If shooting standing without a tripod, I usually find I must shoot in continous mode. Also, dont try to get the close up from the first shot. On first try , start to shoot farther but coming as close as you can without scaring the subject, take a test shot and see if it flies off, without peaking out of the viewfinder come in closer and closer taking a shot every few steps, creeping in till you get as close as you want. Try not to wear anything really bright and red, I noticed it scares them away more easily.
Fun shooting everyone :)
Statistics
Place: 9 out of 684 Avg (all users): 6.9132 Avg (commenters): 8.1579 Avg (participants): 6.8910 Avg (non-participants): 7.0000 Views since voting: 3369 Views during voting: 396 Votes: 265 Comments: 48 Favorites: 13 (view)
Yes, what mpeters said.. thanks for the bugshooting suggestions. I am relieved to learn that someone else is feeling around for focus with macros. I think my problem with understanding your title during the challenge was that I didn't realize where his eye was or what it looked like unscarred. I'll have to bone up on my dragonfly anatomy ;-) Congratulations on your high score - a super-big deal in a challenge of this size and competitiveness.
Techo,
Thanks for your details re: stalking the dragonflies. I have wondered many times just how these shots are pulled off. We dont have many dragon flies close to where i live but it is rare to see them sit still long enough to take a picture...
Congrats on a nice finish and a fine shot to boot!
Congrats on top 10! This is great. As a macro lover I have a question - Did you add an extra lens, reverse one, extension tube,close up filter? I can't get my Macro 100mm to do that unless I add something. Very interested in what if anything you used.
Thanks and much success.
fantastic sharpness, whats in focus is exactly what needs to be. One question tho, was the insect shot post morten, so to speak, or was it just really cooperative? :)
You have captured the dragonlfy-ness of a dragonfly. Very often, photographers are attracted to these special insects and shoot to capture all. It is the details - especially the large compound eyes which cover almost 360 degrees - which really tell the insect's story. Nice work.
wow, that would have to be the very best dragonfly macro I have ever seen...this site has hundreds of shots of dreagonflies, but this surpasses them all...I have to give this a 10...the title is fantastic too
it's not just great as a dragonfly shot, but also an outstanding macro, good luck with this
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