Black-Golden Dragonfly

[Otavio]

Thank you, Antônio, for viewing/commenting. Kindest regards!

[Otavio]

Hi Mike. Yes, shooting them with a tripod might be a challenge. Anyway, I will try that next time. Thanks for viewing.

[Walj]

Hi Mike. Yes, shooting them with a tripod might be a challenge. Anyway, I will try that next time. Thanks for viewing.

Hi Otavio,

More tips here to share with you and members on photographing dragonflies and demselflies:

1. Knowledge about Dragonflies and Damselflies
Dragonflies and Damselflies are more tolerant to human presence near them than butterflies. Even if they fly away when you make your approach if you stay still for some time they will recognize you and realize that you are no threat to them and will come pretty close to you allowing you enough time to compose your shot. They are also very curious creatures. If you happen to be near them you could observe that they are actually watching you in between their activities..

2. When to watch - Best time for Photographing Dragonflies and Damselflies is during Mornings and Midday
Best time to watch odonates is during midday. They are most active during this time. Some species are crepuscular or nocturnal. It is very difficult to locate and observe them in low light conditions.Many odonate species are seasonal and their emergence and breeding coincide with the monsoon. So most of odonate species can be observed between May-November.

3. Always wear Mute Color Dresses
Due to their sensitive eye, odonates get easily disturbed with bright colored objects. So it is better to wear dull colored clothing and cap, while photographing.

4. Slow and Careful Approach
Approach your dragonfly slowly, if it gets disturbed or flies off just get into position and freeze they will come back to the same spot. Unlike butterflies dragonflies sit still on twigs and branches that protrude out of the water for long periods of time so you get ample time to arrange your gear, focus and shoot. So always use a tripod and try to get images with the lowest ISO setting.

5. Correct the White Balance of the Camera to get genuine Colors
Dragonflies and Damselflies are very colorful creatures. Their wings and body is composed of hundreds of shades of different colors. In order to capture the genuine colors of the subject you should always correct the white balance of your camera before you start shooting. Choose the correct mode as per lighting conditions like, cloudy, shade or daylight etc and check to see that they render correct colors before you make your approach.

6. Focus on the Eye or Thorax
Try to get your focus right on the eye or thorax of the dragonfly. If the eye is not in focus then the shot looses its appeal as its the most prominent part of the subject that attracts attention of the viewer.

7. Preferred Aperture is 8 or 11
A minimum aperture setting of 8 is necessary to get all parts of the dragonfly or damselfly in focus but if you go beyond 11 it will be very difficult to isolate the subject and throw the background out of focus. A background that is also in focus is very distracting when we are shooting a subject as small as a dragonfly or a damselfly.

8. Shutter speed is not Important
Dragonflies and damselflies tend to sit still for long periods so while photographing dragonflies and damselflies shutterspeed is not important unless you are trying to take a picture of them in flight, hovering, mating or feeding.

9. Choose the right angle to shoot - Place Subject on the Plane of Focus
Since you will want all parts of the dragonfly of damselfly in focus like the wings and the body, try to position your camera parallel to the wings of the dragonfly thereby ensuring most of your subject are in one geometrical plane ensuring that they are all in sharp focus.

10. Choose the right background by moving the Angle / Position
Be careful while framing your shot dragonfly has very thin wings that are rich in many shades of colors if lit up well but if the background is cluttered or fussy the image will never stand out. So try to get the background right by either adjusting your angle or by shifting your position isolating the dragonfly by getting water / sky as background produces stunning results.

[Otavio]

Walad, thanks for your tips. They will all be considered! Regards...