joseamartinez
FollowFrom before I started shooting raw. Got lucky as I was walking near Navy Pier. Proceeded to slowly follow and click away, quickly changing my settings as needed...
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From before I started shooting raw. Got lucky as I was walking near Navy Pier. Proceeded to slowly follow and click away, quickly changing my settings as needed, making sure it was focused, and making sure DOF, etc. was good before the chance was gone.
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo near Navy Pier, next to the beach there. I had been walking along hoping to find something interesting, when I saw the butterfly flying around, and finally perch here.Time
It's been a while since I took this, but it was after noon. According to the file, May 23, 2012 around 1 pm.Lighting
I felt like it was a fleeting moment, and tried to be quick and not scare away the butterfly. For this I quickly attempted a couple of different shots and composition, some with the in camera flash. Sun high over head, shadows to the left, and very light almost non existent cloud cover. This particular shot used no flash.Equipment
This was hand held, with my first digital camera, a Nikon D40, using the kit lens. There were stairs and a railing nearby that I used to anchor myself, while my tripod was on the ground nearby, unused for this. I had to be quick so I just did with what I had.Inspiration
I was in an exploring mood, and just headed downtown with my camera and a tripod, just walking around seeing if I found anything interesting. And once I saw the butterfly I just rushed, trying to sneak after it, seeing where it landed, and just tried to shoot away while carefully fiddling with my settings on manual. I might have looked a little silly, but I was happy to see I managed to get something I liked.Editing
Not very much. For this upload I just messed with shadows, contrast, and color a little.In my camera bag
It's been changing lately. When I carry my book bag, I have a Nikon 50 mm prime lens, an 18-55 mm kit lens, a Nikon 55-300 mm, an assorted things like a flash unit, flash light, video light, batteries, a filter or two, whatever I think could come in useful. Sometimes I'll carry and extra messenger bag on the side, to carry another flash or random items for that particular occasion. Maybe a tripod in hand. But lately I've been carrying a smaller bag with just my camera, the kit lens, and my prime. When at a concert or low light venue, I like a more spartan approach, and use a small bag with just the body and the 50 mm prime lens attached; and try do with that.Feedback
Try to be aware of the type of bugs around where you live, and when or where they might come about. A relaxed patient attitude, exploring around grassy or plant filled areas, and being attentive to what's around you. And being aware of the lighting and being prepared for it, so that once you do stumble into something interesting, you're ready for it. But don't be afraid to quickly change your settings and see what works. Be familiar with your camera. I was in manual mode for this, and shifted settings around, with and without in camera flash; but settled on 1/320th of a sec, f/8, with the kit lens at 55mm for this shot [manual mode]. Luck always helps. A lot of times, when something interesting happens, you might not always have ideal equipment, so just do with what you have and try to have fun with it. One of my favorite older shots is of a dragonfly with transparent wings, close range, using an old Nokia's phone camera.