Basking in the Light - B&W
Aug, 2015Views
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People's Choice in anything and everything B&W Photo Challenge
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Superb Composition
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Outstanding Creativity
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![Two male black-veined white butterflies [Aporia crataegi] roosting on a Carthusian pink. by HenrikSpranz](https://cdnpt01.viewbug.com/media/mediafiles/2024/01/17/102725792_widepreview400.webp)
Behind The Lens
Location
A morning stroll through a retirement community in Georgetown, Texas drew me to a quiet, shaded pond with dappled sun light dancing around this male widow skimmer quietly perched on a pond leaf.Time
This is one of my all time favorite dragonfly images taken mid morning with light reflecting orbs off of the water's surface.Lighting
I wanted this image to stand out and when I saw the sparkling high lights off the water and shade reducing shadows I knew that carefully planned, shallow depth of field would allow me to capture orbs of light and create a pleasing bokeh background around a very carefully focused dragonfly.Equipment
This image was created with my Konica/Minolta Maxxum 7D DSLR using a Tamron 90 mm macro with a 2x converter mounted on a Manfroto tripod.Inspiration
I am a dragon and damsel photo freak as well as an avid odonatist. I have many images of both dragons and damsels used in a traveling exhibit and this Widow Skimmer just screamed "here I am, take me". This was an image I felt compelled to capture for my next artistic exhibit of my favorite bugs.Editing
The only post processing done here was to turn the color image to a black and white for the purpose of focusing on an aesthetic subject and for rather than the color version for this rendering. Conversion was done in Photoshop.In my camera bag
I usually carry two in my bag, my Maxxum 7D and a Sony a850 full frame. The morning of this adventure I chose the 7D because it is lighter weight. My lenses include the Tamron 90 mm macro, a Sigma 28-70 2.8, a Sigma 70 -200 2.8, and a Lensbaby interchangeable to both bodies. Other things include a few filters, extra flash cards and batteries and a remote cable release. I don't lug all of this around but it is available in the bag when shooting out of my vehicle or in the pack if I'm walking in somewhere.Feedback
If you like dragon flies, study them, get to know their habits and preferred habitat, territory, flight patterns, active daytime periods, and seasonal availability. Different species are found at different times of the summer, early, middle and late. Pat attention to light and be aware that dragons are cold blooded insects and will sit in deep grass or on low brush until they warm up enough to fly. With this in mind, look for dew covered dragons on cool damp mornings for some really great close up images. Above all keep shooting and look for backgrounds that are free of distractions and you will get great dragonfly image opportunities.
