For example, I recently had an encounter with a dragonfly known as a Prince Baskettail (Epitheca princeps). We all know photographing dragonflies can be a very daunting and sometimes humbling experience. The Prince Baskettail can be especially frustrating because it seems to be forever on the move and rarely rests for any length of time. Occasionally though, luck comes at surprising times and the most important thing to remember at those times is to take full advantage of it and to always keep trying for the best possible photo while keeping in mind to never pressure your subject to fly off. [Read more…] about Adding An Artistic Element
dragonfly
Simple Adjustments For a Better Background
One thing many of us forget to consider is the background in a photo. We focus (literally and figuratively) on the main subject and feel gratified that we can get the whole subject in the frame and it’s sharp and properly exposed. Let me show you an example of how easy it can be to make a significant difference in your photos. In this case, we’ll be talking about an application related to macro work and dragonfly photography.
When shooting macro we generally strive to get the best depth of field (DOF) we can get. The best and perhaps the easiest way to achieve this is by increasing our f-stop. When photographing a subject like a dragonfly, generally f/11 is a good place to start with f/16 being even better . . . sometimes that is. [Read more…] about Simple Adjustments For a Better Background
Sharpness – Relative vs Absolute
The more I photograph nature, the less I’ve been concerned about sharpness. It’s not out of laziness, but from the realization that relative sharpness is much more important than absolute sharpness.
Absolute sharpness is about making your subject as sharp as possible, within the limits of your camera and lens.
On the other hand, relative sharpness is about making your subject as sharp as possible relative to other elements in that image.
This also applies to depth of field, and in this article when I mention sharpness I also mean depth of field/focus.
For example, here’s a photo with a lot of absolute sharpness: [Read more…] about Sharpness – Relative vs Absolute
Three Quick Tips For Close-Ups
So, here are three quick tips to get you started:
#1 – Get down to your subject’s level
Many of the plants and insects that come out in the spring live very low to the ground, so your first reaction may be to photograph them from where you first spot them (standing up and looking down at them). But, many times it’s better to get down to your subject’s level and photograph them from there because it captures a more friendly point of view (almost as if you’re seeing eye-to-eye with your subject). [Read more…] about Three Quick Tips For Close-Ups
Quick Tip for Identifying Your Unknown Subjects
When you first meet someone new, the first thing you tell them is your name.
And, so naturally, when we photograph something we haven’t seen before, we immediately want to know what it is.
But, it’s not always easy to identify your subjects. Sure, you probably know all the common birds and insects of your area, but what if you’re hiking down a trail and see this amazing looking butterfly for the first time?
Well, there’s one thing you can do that’ll make it A LOT easier to identify that butterfly later: [Read more…] about Quick Tip for Identifying Your Unknown Subjects
Top 10 PhotoNaturalist Posts of 2010
With 2010 coming to a close in a few days, I thought it’d be good to check out the top posts of the year. So, here they are:
- How to Photograph Dragonflies (free ebook)
- 5 Reasons to Minimize Your Gear
- 5 Great Resources for Nature Photographers
- Why You Should Memorize the F-Number Series
- Quick Tip For Getting Sharper Wildlife Photos
- 9 Tips For Photographing Wildflowers With a Point and Shoot Camera
- How to Photograph Wildflowers With Flash
- The OTHER Reason to Use a Tripod
- How Do You Know When to Upgrade Your Equipment?
- What Went Wrong With This Sand Dune Photo?
I hope you had a great holiday season and a great year! And, cheers to a whole new year of capturing natural light 🙂 [Read more…] about Top 10 PhotoNaturalist Posts of 2010