The Great Spangled Fritillary Butterfly
A Great Spangled Fritillary Butterfly feeds on a Coneflower.
A Great Spangled Fritillary Butterfly feeds on a Coneflower.
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Jul, 2015Views
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Awards
Featured
Contest Finalist in Monthly Pro Vol 14 Photo Contest
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Outstanding Creativity
Superior Skill
Magnificent Capture
All Star
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
This lovely Great Spangled Fritillary Butterfly was feeding on a Coneflower in my backyard garden on a sunny late afternoon.Time
The best time to shoot macro photography is early morning or late afternoon, and this photo was taken around 5 PM.Lighting
I shoot with natural light only, so at times I have to move with my subject to make sure the natural sunlight is being utilized in the best way. If an insect changes position, sometimes you just have to be patient and wait until it turns around again!Equipment
Nikon D7100 and a Tokina 100mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro D Macro lens.Inspiration
The beauty of the natural world inspires me to shoot when I get the chance. Trying to capture the complexities of different environments and the creatures within them, without being intrusive or invasive while doing so, is the goal.Editing
Barely any at all. If I have to adjust a photo, it may be a slight exposure enhancement or removing a few specs of pollen. If your camera is set up correctly to begin with, you won't have to spend much time in post processing.In my camera bag
I carry one camera in my bag, a Nikon D7100. Along with this I'm usually toting around my Tokina 100mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro D Macro lens and a standard AF-S Nikkor 18-140mm lens. Plenty of lens cleaning cloths are essential as you do NOT want to shoot any photo, let alone macro, with dirt, smudges, or specs of dust all over your lens. I also have a MC-DC2 Remote Release Cord tucked in there somewhere between my fruit snacks, granola bars and bottled water.Feedback
When you shoot moving insects with a macro lens, you're going to have to shoot fast, as they will not sit still and wait while you adjust your camera's exposure and focus. Try to take care of your basic camera settings before you start shooting, and stabilize your camera on a monopod or against your body, as macro is unforgiving with camera shake. When you're ready to begin, be part of the environment, not an intruder in it. Butterflies will accept you and bees will fly around you as if don't exist if you sit still. Insects are beautiful, they are intricate, and they are magnificent. And your insect photos will be better when you respect, appreciate, and work with your subjects in their world.
