Dragonfly photography

[Mikah Denzil]

Hi

I would be really grateful for any help I could get from bird forum users.

I would like to start photographing dragonflies this year - I have a Nikon Coolpix 4300 and a 3x tele-c lens.

What advice would anyone have on which mode -ie manual or auto settings. Is it adviseable to use a cable release or a tripod.

Thanks very much
Mikah

[Adey Baker]

Firstly, forget flight shots, at least to start with!

On the assumption that you'll mainly be shooting in good light you can stop the lens down to minimum aperture to maximise depth of field.

Bright light also makes using the LCD screen a bit difficult - a sunshade (especially with 2x magnification) is very useful.

I'm not familiar with the settings on this model but if it hasn't got a 'spot' autofocus mode you may find using manual focus more useful - preset a distance and them move in back and forth to get the sharpest image, not forgetting to allow for the slight delay in 'refresh rate' of the screen.

If you've selected the aperture to use, 'aperture-priority' exposure mode is the best choice for exposure, using the +/- exposure compensation to adjust the exposure where necessary according to the LCD screen.

Having all the focus and exposure settings pre-set ready allows you to concentrate on the subject which means carefully approaching the insect from the angle you want the final photo to be at.

Different species have different levels of tolerance as far as approaching them goes - you'll get the feel of it as you go along!

Some of the smaller dragonfly species such as darters can be very approachable and they often return to just a few favoured perches.

At the other end of the scale, many damselflies are much more wary. so with their smaller size this is where your 3x converter may come in useful!

Emperors tend to land on a reed-stem out in the middle of a pool after flying around continuously for ages so be prepared for a bit of frustration with these!

Later in the year, Southern and Migrant hawkers can also fly around quite a lot but then suddenly land on a twig or a leaf and stay there for minutes at a time giving you the chance of a very close approach.

When going up to the dragonfly you'll need to get right down to their level for your final approach - don't go right up to them and then crouch down. If the grass is wet then you'll have to be prepared to get soaked from head to foot!

Also, if you've got the right kit, digiscoping is a more than useful way of getting shots of the more difficult to approach species.

[Surreybirder]

I suggest you PM Forcreeks who takes loads of brilliant dragonfly photos!
Also Richard Ford.

[Mikah Denzil]

Hi guys,
Many thanks for the help - I have noted all the comments Adey and appreciate the suggestions, now all I need is the dragonflies!!We do seem to get a fair amount in this area - so hope I can have some success with these suggestions.
Mikah

[tikey1949]

I HAVE A COOLPIX 4500. BASICALLY, SAME PIXEL QUALITY AS 4300. IN FACT SO CLOSE I THINK NIKON DISCONTINUED 4500. I HAVE A 2X LENS AND A 8X LENS AS WELL AS SCOPE. I FIND IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO A PIC ON ANYTHING ABOVE 2X W/O A TRIPOD. JUST TOO MUCH MOVEMENT. IVE TAKEN SOME BUTTERFLIES AND OF COURSE BIRDS. I USUALLY SET THE CAMERA AT APERTURE SETTING THEN ADJUST PRIORITY. UNDERSTAND THAT I AM A NOVICE BUT I AM GETTING SOME DECENT PICS. NOT WORLD CLASS BUT DECENT. I WOULD RECOMMEND YOU INVEST IN A VERY GOOD TRIPOD W/BALL HEAD. I HAVE BOGEN MANFROTI. I AM THINKING OF GOING TO AN EVEN HEAVIER TRIPOD TO GET RID OF ANY MOVEMENT. I WAS OUT TODAY ON VERY VERY WINDY DAY AND WAS HAVING MUCH DIFFICULTY. BY THE WAY I BOUGHT AN INEXPENSIVE 8X LENS (AT LEAST BY LENS STANDARDS) AT KENKOMALL.COM. MY POSITION WAS THE SAME AS WITH MY SCOPE. I WANTED TO TRY IT AND SEE IF I COULD CONQUER THEN I WOULD BUY SUBSTANTIALLY MORE EXPENSIVE LIKE A SWAROVSKI. I THINK YOU CAN USE AUTO IN SOME CASES BUT ULTIMATELY I THINK YOU WANT TO GET AWAY FROM IT TO GET QUALITY PICS. I WOULD NOT BUY A CABLE RELEASE YET UNTIL YOU PRACTICE SOME MORE. A COVER FOR YOUR VIEW FINDER CAN BE FOUND AT PHOTOSOLVE.COM OR OMEGASATTER.COM. I HAVE NEITHER BUT I AM CONTEMPLATING ONE OR OTHER. I ACTUALLY BOUGHT A COVER FROM RITZCAMERA.COM WHICH COVERS 3 SIDES AND THEN I USE BLACK DUCT TO KEEP LIGHT OUT THE 4TH SIDE. YOU CAN PROBABLY USE HOMEMADE VERSION TILL YOU GET ONE. EMAIL ME AT mhutchinson15@comcast.net COUPLE OF DRAGONFLY PICS AND ILL RETURN W/BIRD PIC. MAYBE WE CAN FIGURE THIS THING OUT. GOOD LUCK.

[Surreybirder]

Mikah
You might like to look at this site about
DRAGONFLY photography (http://www.odenews.net/PhotoArticle.htm)
Also might be worth joining the uk dragonfly yahoogroup HERE (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dragonflies-uk/)
The "forum" tab of ATROPOS's Web site (http://www.atropos.info/) is also worth a look.
Good luck
Ken

[Mikah Denzil]

Thanks Ken
Have been on the site Dragonfly Photography - great and thank you. What would one do without Bird Forum. Am really chuffed about the amount of response and am looking forward to trying out many of the suggestions. Will look at the Yahoo group.
Saw some great photographs on Cheshire Ordonata but no tips on how its done!!!!
Thanks again.
Mikah

[Surreybirder]

You're welcome, Micah. I look forward to seeing some of your shots.
Ken

[DOC]

I have the coolpix 5700 and have managed quite a few good dragonfly pics.
1-Adey Baker is right: you have to get prepared to getting wet ! I shot a few pics while waiding in water (with my cam held up high ....heheh ).
2- Using the "Macro" is (from my point of view): cruciall, as well as "spot metering"- both settings give you the maximum attention on the dragonfly itself.
3- I suggest shooting as many pics as possible at different shooting settings and later compare the shots.
4- Btw - u can get some excellent pics without any accesories ( lens etc..) if you are very patient and get close as possible to the dragonfly.
5- Since dragonflies tend to fly alot - i don't use a tripod for those pics . I wait for the right moment while moving around with them untill they settle down ( even for a sec.)

[Surreybirder]

Where can we see some of your dragonfly photos, Doc?

These two were taken with an SLR camera:

[DOC]

Surreybirder:

Here's a sample- taken with cp5700- the jordan river- summer 2003- this is the original pic with no adjustments .
I had to tread in water for over 2 hours and look around till i managed to catch it standing motionless for a few seconds .

[DOC]

And here's another example- also taken with the cp 5700

[Surreybirder]

Surreybirder:

Here's a sample- taken with cp5700- the jordan river- summer 2003- this is the original pic with no adjustments .
I had to tread in water for over 2 hours and look around till i managed to catch it standing motionless for a few seconds .

Wow, that's gorgeous! Congratulations on your patience and the result.
Is it Trithemis annulata?

[Surreybirder]

I've got a few photos of dragonflies taken with a Fuji Finepix in macro mode; and also, moths and butterflies.
I'll attach a couple below

[DOC]

I posted this last week - i think it's some sort of moth but i'm not sure.

[Surreybirder]

I posted this last week - i think it's some sort of moth but i'm not sure.
I'd say it was a moth but I don't know what kind.... it's not unlike a five-spot burnet, a diurnal species we get in the UK, so perhaps it's one of that genus? There are some experienced moth-ers on the forum so perhaps you'll get a reply.
Ken

[CJW]

Hi DOC it's definitely a moth of the Zygaenidae family (or Burnets as Ken pointed out), but othe rthan that, I'm afraid i can't help you.

[Surreybirder]

According to someone on UKmoths yahoogroup it looks like:
Zygaena (Mesembrynus) graslini Lederer, 1855.

[Mikah Denzil]

Hi Ken - Doc. Some fabulous photo's - certainly gives me some inspiration. I went on your web site Ken and was most impressed. Couldn't follow this though - it's taken me long enough to understand the basics of computing.
Again - I've noted all the tips and will follow these through - might even wade in the ateer - for pics like that it's worth it Doc.
I'm in England - can anybody recommend a good field guide for dragonflies - geared at a novice of course!! I have been on the computer sites but its much easier to have a book to hand once out of doors.

[digi-birder]

I was advised, by a number of people on BF, to get the Field Guide to Dragonflies and Damselflies of GB and Ireland, by Steve Brooks.

I have certainly found it useful and it's not too heavy to carry around. It's about £18. ISBN: 0953139905

[steve covey]

And here's another example- also taken with the cp 5700

Hi Doc,
I second Surreybirder - fabulous pics. I believe the second one is a male Brachythemis leucosticta?
You may be interested in joining a yahoo user group I set up over a year ago called WestPalOdos for [obviously] all those interested in the Odonata of the region.
If so visit: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WestPalOdos/
This invite applies to anyone on this forum. The intention is not to 'poach' but to expand knowledge and networking.
Cheers.

[Mikah Denzil]

Thanks - will try both Yahoo site - and the recommended book by Diane.
Mikah

[Adey Baker]

This article may be of interest:

http://lrdragonfly.topcities.com/fourspot.htm

[steve covey]

This article may be of interest:

http://lrdragonfly.topcities.com/fourspot.htm

What a great article Adey! If that doesn't inspire people to go out and study/photograph dragonflies then I don't know what will...
I've just bought a Nikon CP4500 and once I've got my head around it's features/controls and practiced a bit I shall be trying for some inspiring images;-)
One point of interest from the article, I have a theory [not proven I hasten to add] that the form praenubila is temperature dependant as I believe it has been a predominantly southern county phenomenon. But with the advent of 'Global Warming' the form has been sighted increasingly at more northery locations.

[Adey Baker]

One point of interest from the article, I have a theory [not proven I hasten to add] that the form praenubila is temperature dependant as I believe it has been a predominantly southern county phenomenon. But with the advent of 'Global Warming' the form has been sighted increasingly at more northery locations.[/color]

It's something worth looking out for.

l'll email Steve Houghton with your theory - I'm sure he'll be interested

[steve covey]

It's something worth looking out for.

l'll email Steve Houghton with your theory - I'm sure he'll be interested

Oh it's definitely worth seeing all right. Here's a pic [a scanned slide] of one I found at the Cotswold Water Park a couple of years ago - not up to Steve Houghton's quality though! I'll be revisiting all these species with the new camera - can't wait....:o)

[Adey Baker]

- can't wait....:o)

Yes, it won't be long till that first Large Red Damselfly starts the season off again.....

[Surreybirder]

What a great article Adey! If that doesn't inspire people to go out and study/photograph dragonflies then I don't know what will...
I've just bought a Nikon CP4500 and once I've got my head around it's features/controls and practiced a bit I shall be trying for some inspiring images;-)
One point of interest from the article, I have a theory [not proven I hasten to add] that the form praenubila is temperature dependant as I believe it has been a predominantly southern county phenomenon. But with the advent of 'Global Warming' the form has been sighted increasingly at more northery locations.

I'm looking forward to seeing some of your COOL new insect photos, Steve. (And digiscoped ones, too?) Once you've got a macro-facility, all sorts of possibilities open up.

[steve covey]

I'm looking forward to seeing some of your COOL new insect photos, Steve. (And digiscoped ones, too?) Once you've got a macro-facility, all sorts of possibilities open up.

Lets hope the weather warms up soon. Then nothing will be safe from my lens; butterflies,bees, moths, flies...!!

[Surreybirder]

You'll soon need a new pc with a bigger hard drive ... And a faster USB connection... and a CD writer... and more software...
Then you'll be working so hard to raise the money you won't have much time left for photography.
;)

[DOC]

Wow ' great article and magnificent pictures!

i'm intending on trying to catch some more pics ( like the one attached ) this weekend - will post them as soon as possible.( i'm looking for the blue colored this time ).

[Surreybirder]

Nice one, Doc! A species I hope to photograph in Cyprus if they've emerged by early April!
Ken

[steve covey]

Hi Doc,
another nice image of Trithemis annulata. This time in 'obelisk' pose - used as a means of regulating body temperature. Not something our odonata in the UK have to contend with very often!
The offer still stands to join the WestPalOdos group. We'd love to have a representative from Israel on board:o)).
Here is a pic from a correspondant of mine from N. Cyprus taken on 22nd.
I think it's a very teneral Orthetrum chrysostigma.

[Surreybirder]

Nice one, Steve. I trust you on the ID! It's a big file, do you have the facility to .jpg it?
Ken