Damsel at Dusk
A damsel fly lands on a lavender stalk at dusk.
A damsel fly lands on a lavender stalk at dusk.
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Jun, 2014Views
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Contest Finalist in Macro Masterpieces Photo Contest
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo of a damselfly on a stalk of Lavender at dusk in my garden in Karen, Kenya.Time
It was the end of the day, the sun was down and I was slowing walking with my camera attached to my tripod back to the house. I stopped by my Lavender shrubs for a quick peek since I know how much insects love them. I was lucky to just come across a Damselfly landing on a single stalk. I approached her very slowly and got quite close with my clumsy tripod and macro lens. She was completely unfazed by my shooting as I fired off a shot a few shots with my cable release, trying to figure out how to illuminate her without bleaching her out.Lighting
I love this photo and remember that evening very well. I used a tripod and experimented with a bit of flash until I found that the rear-synch flash dialed down a bit to illuminate the insect in the most natural manner. I was lucky that this little guy let me get quite close to him without moving. That helped a bit as it was getting quite dark.Equipment
I used my Nikon D200 with a tripod, cable release, a rear-synch flash reduced by a few points. I used my Micro Lens at 105mm.Inspiration
Watching insects and their behavior became of great interest to me when we moved into a house with a great deal of flowering shrubs which attracted all types of insect wildlife. Some of their behavior was fascinating, some morbid, some amazing and some downright hilarious. It became a natural extension of my love of plants and flower to begin my hobby documenting insects and their world. This particular photo I took because it was so perfect atop a single stalk of Lavender and I was able to get to head to head with it. I was thrilled to have captured it exactly as I saw it through my lens.Editing
Almost no processing was involved in this shot. Minor tweaks in contrast and a bit of selective sharpening was all it took.In my camera bag
I always have dust wipes. Always. Kenya is beautiful but it is dusty! I also almost always have my tripod and cable release with me. On location I will take neutral graduated density filters with me to help improve the dynamic range of a wildlife or landscape shot. I also always have a spare battery and memory cards along with my favorite lens, the wide angle.Feedback
When it comes to insect photos the best advice is to be more patient that you ever think you could be. Move slowly and always carry your camera on your tripod when in search of insects. Train your eyes to spot things that may be still and camouflaged in shrubs and flowers. This takes a lot of practice and patience. There are millions of insects doing all sorts of interesting things out there. They are right under your nose most of the time. Try going to a place with shrubs and flowers and just sit. You will see them eventually. They are everywhere.
