Swallowtail butterfly
Jul, 2021Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
In front of my daughter's house in Woodbine, Maryland, is a circular drive which loops around a garden. My grandchildren call this purple-flowered plant the butterfly bush because it's home to an astonishing variety of butterflies, moths, and the occasional hummingbird.Time
I'm up around 6 AM every day and sometimes I like to walk the grounds to see what else is up with me. As the sun is beginning to penetrate the tree cover the butterflies begin to feed. Swallowtails predominate and on occasion one will linger with wings outspread just long enough for me to get a shot like this one, which was taken at around 7:30 AMLighting
Natural lighting, sunlight filtered through the tree canopy.Equipment
Canon EOS Rebel T7 with telephoto lens.Inspiration
Butterflies are among my favorite subjects, probably because they never stop moving, making them a challenge. I spend hours at a time during the height of the season, trying to capture them in a variety of poses. This swallowtail, with wings fully spread, hovering over a blossom, is one of my favorites, against the dark, blurred background.Editing
Some cropping to focus more on the main subject, and heightening contrast to bring out colors and textures.In my camera bag
Since a house fire destroyed all my photo equipment I have simplified. Now, my bag is a Canon EOS Rebel T7, a regular and a telephoto lens, battery charger, and a set of filters for contrast.Feedback
Patience, persistence, and more patience. Find a place where butterflies congregate and try to get in close. I use a telephoto lens to be able to get close optically without my physical presence disturbing the natural actions of the subjects.
