Buckeye
This was the first butterfly that I met when I came down south. I chased it for probably a little over an hour, I had only a 35 mm lens at that time. Since then...
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This was the first butterfly that I met when I came down south. I chased it for probably a little over an hour, I had only a 35 mm lens at that time. Since then I have photographed it many times. It still brings the same joy and excitement as the first day we met.
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Aug, 2014Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
I had gone hiking one day in San Antonio, TX. I am not sure which hiking trail brought the Buckeye, the camera and I together, but something magical happened that day. I was not a pro, so coming home with 50 or more shots was not unusual. This shot however was unusual in that I had found the butterfly of my dreams and had finally been able to capture it just as it had captured me.Time
I would hike on the weekends from mid to late morning until early evening. It was at one of these times that my digital 35 mm, the Buckeye and I had met. What a meeting it was!Lighting
I had learned a little about lighting but it was so much of a mystery to me that I counted on the camera's auto setting and what I could see to know when to take the picture.Equipment
I had a digital Canon Rebel 35 mm. Which version it was I do not remember. I did not have a tripod or anything on which to rest my hands so it was look, snap and hope for the best. If I am not mistaken I was still using a standard 55 mm lens with a UV filter to help with the color. The challenge was always to get close enough to the butterfly to share its beauty.Inspiration
Nature, and more especially butterflies had stolen a large part of my heart. This particular butterfly, the Buckeye, is my all time favorite. Any time that I saw a Buckeye, my camera came out and I tried to get as close as physically possible to the butterfly. Needless to say, I learned how to walk very quietly. The butterfly, camera and I did this for hours at a time in the early days. As my collection of butterflies became more varied I learned how helpful it was to use the longest telephoto lens I could afford at the time. Even with the telephoto lens each good photo was a celebration of nature.Editing
I used Photoshop and would make sure that I took care of the dust and checked into the sharpening of the photo. Other than that and some occasional cropping it was always the surprise of the moment that made my heart happiest.In my camera bag
I usually had a digital Canon Rebel 35 mm, an extra battery just in case and as time went on a good telephoto lens.Feedback
When you see something beautiful in nature and are drawn toward it, it is always best to retake the "moment" every time you have the opportunity. The reason for this is that at one point, the moment will become a photo you will treasure forever.
