marybrotherton

Lord of the Lovebugs

Butterfly seems to lord over smaller bugs on a hydrangea

Butterfly seems to lord over smaller bugs on a hydrangea
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SONY SLT-A33

settings

Aperture f/5.6 ISO 500 Shutter 1/320 Focal Length 2000/10

upload_date

Jan, 2014

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Behind The Lens

Location

I live on the Space Coast of Florida where Love Bugs are a common feature. On a visit to my mother's house in South Carolina, I noticed this beautiful butterfly on her hydrangea bush and was able to capture its photo. I didn't realize until I downloaded it onto my computer that there were several Love Bugs hanging out, which prompted the name of the photo: Lord of the Love Bugs.

Time

This was taken shortly after noon, as my mother and I had just finished lunch on her front porch and we noticed the butterfly land on her favorite hydrangea bush. Since I had my camera with me, it was just a matter of not disturbing the insect as I approached.

Lighting

This was taken without a flash, in full, natural sunlight, right after noon. I worked up quite a sweat, standing as still as possible, trying to get the perfect shot on a late spring day, before the butterfly left.

Equipment

I used a Sony a33 with Sony DT55-200mm zoom lens, handheld, in full sunlight.

Inspiration

When she saw the butterfly land on the hydrangea bush, my mother said, "Oh, look! I wish I could see it from the other side," so I grabbed Lola, my Sony camera, and took several shots of the butterfly - for my mother.

Editing

I seldom do much post-processing, partly because I take so many photos at one time, and partly because I like my compositions as they are, usually. I cropped this one only enough to take out the edges that showed the house behind the shrub. I didn't enhance the colors or fade the background. My camera, Lola, did all that for me.

In my camera bag

In the past, when photography was my excuse to get outside, I carried my Sony a33, my DT55-200 lens and a few filters. Then, when Lola died, I was gifted an old Olympus and it served me well, but I missed Lola's speed, so decided I wanted to try a Nikon, which I liked for its speed but not the photo quality. Lola spoiled me. Then, I founded the nonprofit bUneke.org and my photographing took a new direction. After the Nikon ceased to function and we paid for a repair that held up just long enough for the warranty to expire, my husband gave me a tiny Canon PowerShot SX740, which currently serves my purposes. I do intend to buy another Sony, in the near future.

Feedback

Photographing any living thing, whether it's a child, a pet, wildlife, insects, or the ocean means the person with the camera must be patient and willing to accept that no natural motion can accurately be duplicated. Every movement will be different. In the case of insects, like this butterfly, the photographer's stealth is as important as a willingness to stand still for a while to capture not only movement, but stillness, when it happens. Be prepared to wait for the wings to fully open and for the insect to settle, if only briefly. Keep shooting, because one of your shots will be the one you want. Use the sunlight to your advantage and keep your shadows out of your way.

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marybrotherton

marybrotherton

Lord of the Lovebugs

Butterfly seems to lord over smaller bugs on a hydrangea

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow marybrotherton

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