Apologies

[Bobobird]

Apologies for not responding to all the wonderful pics posted over the past 2 months.

I have been really busy...

Hopefully will be able to slot back into the old routine soon. Another week to go on this overseas trip and time should be easier when I get home.

Some shots taken the other day.

Comments/critique always welcomed and appreciated.

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[Otavio]

Hi Bobo. Good having you back! Very nice set. I specially like 4 and 6. Cheers!

[Mike Buckley]

Apologies

I should say so!

The image of the spider and the web is my favorite. Nice job!

[Karm Redland]

Bobo, all nice. Number 3 has an almost psychedelic, LSD look -- not that I would really know.

Karm

[Shadowman]

Nice selection.

[Bobobird]

Thanks Otavio, Mike, Karm, John -appreciate the comments.

On recent shoots have been concentrating on insects in flight. Not particularly good at it but these were much better then ones taken some days earlier. Need to practice more...

Couple more

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[SilverYeou]

I absolutely LOOVE those macro!! So pretty! My favorites are 2, 6 and 8. Keep up the good work.
If you have the time, could you give me some tips on how to keep this sharp ? I am quite new in photography (read "newbie" ) and I also a practicing a lot to take photos like these, but I am finding hard to focus. Soon I will be visiting a butterfly house and I want to make the best I can!

[Bobobird]

Thanks Lu.

I am a newbie myself but will try to pass on what little I know.

Specifically butterflies in flight.

Assume you are shooting birds in flight - so the most important thing is shutter speed. Try to stay between 1/800 or higher. The above shots were mostly 1/500 because I wanted a bit of wing blur. Use an aperture and ISO to suit. That mean you will be using either manual mode or TV to fix the shutter speed.

Each species has it own habits, they will all fly from flower to flower but some are slow drinkers and others just take a dip and are off again. For each species you want to shoot, just stand around and observe their pattern. Standing around will also make them less nervous of your presence. When you are familiar with the pattern start shooting. Use center point and servo to follow and shoot a burst when they get in focus. As lighting can change check your metering at each new location.

Do not use a macro lens, a zoom will be more appropriate since you will be standing in a position that allows you to view the entire environment.

Start with the bigger/slower species. Work down from there as your experience improves.

Hope this helps.

[pinakibaidya]

Very nice set of images Bobo.I also needed this advice.Thanks for your tips.

[Bobobird]

Thanks Pinak for the kind comments. Glad you find the tips useful. Remember I am no expert

[AB26]

Aha, Bobo is back!

I love the way you captured the motion in those flying butterflies.