New dragonflies -a mix of magnifications

Dalantech

I didn't like the initial shots that I took with a 25mm extension tube -the shots at F8 didn't have enough depth of field, and the shots at F16 were too dark (I blew the exposure by a stop) and diffraction robbed me of some detail. So I went back to the lake yesterday to try it again, but this time I split the difference and shot at F11. About 1.4x life size and working distance to the dragon is a little over 5 inches. Minimal post processing and no cropping on all of the images. Because I don't crop, and it's not always easy getting the composition that I want with the viewfinder, I took 275 images and kept fewer than 20...

I'll kick this off with the close ups -this may be the one of the last times I use tubes to shoot these guys. Getting close really limits the compositions that I can take...



He got nervous and took off, but he kept coming back so I kept at it...



If I can get one that will sit still I might try to take several images of its entire body and then stitch them together (something I've seen LordV do).



I backed off and went looking for different scenes to shoot -should have taken off the tube though cause I didn't need it and it was causing me to lose some light and depth of field...



I'm not so sure I like the angle on this one, but I took it cause I like the background...



There were so many of them that they were perching everywhere!



I couldn't have asked for a better day: hot, so there were a lot of dragons out, plenty of sunshine, and almost no wind...

Tess32

While the closeups are impressive and the colours gorgeous, I think I prefer the last three shots. They really capture some nice movement and character. I'm glad you went back!

Dalantech

Tess32 wrote:

While the closeups are impressive and the colours gorgeous, I think I prefer the last three shots. They really capture some nice movement and character. I'm glad you went back!

Thanks!

I feel the same way -the closeups are good for "documentary purposes" but the other images are a lot more "artistic".

Dick on Aruba

Nice series, well done.

The colors are beautiful.

Thanks for sharing.

Dick.

Dalantech

Dick on Aruba wrote:

Nice series, well done.

The colors are beautiful.

Thanks for sharing.

Dick.

Thanks!

Joan

Beautiful shots!
I like the last three shots, but the close-ups are phenomenal. I am fascinated by the intricacies of the dragonflies' bodies, eyes, wings, etc. Wonderful! The colors are great.

Thanks for sharing,
Joan

Dalantech

Joan wrote:

I like the last three shots, but the close-ups are phenomenal. I am fascinated by the intricacies of the dragonflies' bodies, eyes, wings, etc. Wonderful! The colors are great.

Thanks for sharing,
Joan

Thanks Joan! :

Since you like the details here's two of the shots I did at 1.6x life size:



He was cleaning himself in this shot -they can turn their heads at some odd angles...

Harryb

Excellent with some fine details.

Joan

Amazing photos -- thanks for including them. Dragonflies are magnificent critters to watch, aren't they? I enjoyed watching (and photographing) a green lynx spider in my garden for about an hour. It's a whole different world. You captured it magnicently. Thanks again!

Joan

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Dalantech wrote:
Thanks Joan! :

Since you like the details here's two of the shots I did at 1.6x life size:

He was cleaning himself in this shot -they can turn their heads at some odd angles...

Dalantech

Harryb wrote:

Excellent with some fine details.

Thanks Harry!

Dalantech

Joan wrote:

Amazing photos -- thanks for including them. Dragonflies are magnificent critters to watch, aren't they? I enjoyed watching (and photographing) a green lynx spider in my garden for about an hour. It's a whole different world. You captured it magnicently. Thanks again!

Joan

The first time I saw the Violet Darters I just stood, slack jawed, watching them...