Burnet couple
Burnet couple (Zygaenidae) on a flower.
Burnet couple (Zygaenidae) on a flower.
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Nov, 2016Views
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Winner in Butterflies Photo Challenge
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Behind The Lens
Location
The photo was taken at a quarry called "Hauenstein" in Graz, Austria. A friend of mine and I went there to search for some nice butterflies and other small insects to do some macro shots.Time
This picture is definitely one of my favorite images of all time since I started with DSLR in Ocotober 2015. We went there in the morning so that at least some of the butterflies were not flying around hectically. When it is fresh in the morning they are not that active. This shot was taken on June 19, 2016 at 8:32 AM.Lighting
For this photo I was just using natural light, so no flashes or reflectors. I cannot remember if it was cloudy or not, but looking at the picture I would say that at least some sun was coming through.Equipment
This was shot on Nikon D5300 with a Sigma 105mm f/2.8 macro lens. I was also using my light travel tripod so set up a nice composition. I was lucky that they were sitting there for a while.Inspiration
Making a nice picture of a beautiful butterfly is one thing, but if you have the chance to catch a couple of them is just awesome.Editing
I used a technique called focus stacking for this picture as the two burnets where not exactly in the same plane of focus. I did one picture focussed on the eye of the left one and one picture focussed on the eye of the right one and combined them together in post. Apart from that I did just very slight colour correction. When I first saw the picture on the display of the camera in the field, I was a little surprised that the picture is so clean without any disturbing elements, it looks almost as if the picture was taken in a studio. This is because I was using this macro lens and was very close to the insects, even with an aperture of f/8.In my camera bag
I just have one DSLR which is the Nikon D5300 and I took it almost everywhere I go. When I bought it I was using a 18-105mm kit lens (which is not a bad lens by the way) for quite some time. In the meantime this lens has been replaced. The lens I'm using most of the time currently is the Sigma art 18-35mm f/1.8, I use it for landscapes, night shots, architecture, travelling, and much more. The second lens I'm using is the Sigma 105mm macro lens which I use for macro shots and portraits. The third lens is the Tamron 70-300mm VC which I use for sports, birds and other things that are far away. Normally I carry just one lens with me depending on the purpose for that I go out. Most of the time I take my light travel tripod (Rollei Compact Traveler No. 10) with me. I also have my polarizer and nd-filters in my bag most of the time. Rarely I have also an 8cm glass ball with me to take some glass ball photos.Feedback
Macro photography can be very frustrating, especially when you try to photograph butterflies. Often they fly away exactly when want to push the release button. So you definitely have to have patience. I think you can also train the eye by going out and looking for Marko objects, the more often the better. If I have my macro lens on the camera and I'm moving through a meadow, my brain automatically switches to macro mode and I concentrate on small insects. One tip I can give you is to go down low and you'll be amazed how many little animals are moving around. Another good tip especially in macro photography is to go with a friend. Everyone does not see everything and so you can both benefit from each other.
