Do You "Pass" when you see a Dragonfly?

[Jayson_Ang]

Just sharing my experience ...
When I first started Macro, I would get very excited if I spot a dragonfly
But after taking so many dragonfly pics over the months, somehow or rather, I'm running out of ideas on how to compose and shoot a dragonfly, thus, I'd pass when i see a dragonfly, and would mumble, "hai~ just another dumb dragonfly", and I guess I'm suffering from this guilt feeling ...

so feel free to post your creative dragonfly shots, i need to top up my creative juice and not neglect the dragonfly ...

[NightZ88]

my newbie input..

[cerebrus]

Originally Posted by NightZ88 my newbie input..

Middle finger dragonfly, so vulgar

[Mendis]

Actually, dragonflies are challenging, especially damselfies.. Here's my contribution

[tltan]

Here's my take sometime ago. Think might have posted before.
"Spread My Wings"

[tchuanye]

I think the choice of BG is important. So try to get a nicer BG if possible.

Here is one of my fav DF shots:

[ortega]

my latest DF (2006)


and my first DF on DSLR (2004)

[hhho]

Snap one shot if you see this dragonfly

[Jayson_Ang]

Being a little too ambitious ...

[meurt]

another way to shoot a DF...someone's lunch...

[windraider]

I'm kinda new to macros and dragonflies being one of the more common, bigger & less shy member of the insect world tend to be my main model for macro shots.

I'm still a film user, images are scanned without postprocessing from negs taken with Zuiko 100mm/2.8 lens (non-macro) + 65-116 ext tube with TTL flash. Appreciate any comments.



Actually I would also like to use this opportunity to ask a few questions to the other contributors:
1) Are most of your images cropped or digitally zoomed-in, especially the close up of the eyes? Also what focal length lens are you using, are they macro lenses or fitted with extension tubes/reverse mounted?
2) Do you use flash for your shots? If yes what kind, ie macro ring , single off the camera or multiple?
3) Do the shots require high ISO & tripod/monopod support?

The reason I'm asking is that I usually shoot macro on ISO 200 films handheld, hence using flash is unavoidable but the result is uneven lighting. Flash is single-source and off the camera but aimed directly at the subject, haven't tried bounced or diffused lighting yet.
Also I can't seem to zoom in any closer without getting blurry pics with my set-up. Does tripod support & longer exposure time improve things or should I use higher ISO?

[hhho]

Originally Posted by windraider Actually I would also like to use this opportunity to ask a few questions to the other contributors: 1) Are most of your images cropped or digitally zoomed-in, especially the close up of the eyes? Also what focal length lens are you using, are they macro lenses or fitted with extension tubes/reverse mounted? 2) Do you use flash for your shots? If yes what kind, ie macro ring , single off the camera or multiple? 3) Do the shots require high ISO & tripod/monopod support?

To answer your questions, here is the EXIF information of my dragonfly shot

Camera: Olympus E-300 DSLR
Lens: Olympus ED 50-200mm f2.8/3.5
Lens Adapter: Olympus EX-25mm Macro Extension Tube
ISO: 100
Aperture: 5.6
Shutter Speed: 1/8s
Focal Length: 147mm
Flash: No
Tripod: Yes

I have been using Olympus E-300 DSLR since Dec 2004
Olympus ED 50-200mm telephoto lens started using only this Jan 06.
Most of my insect shots didn't use flash only natural lighting
I can't comment on your current setup as I'm not film user.

[syazkal]

My try......thoarax region

[Timber Wolf]

Uncropped, 1:1 macro =)
QX

[wmelon]

I think dragonflies are challenging to shoot. Haven't had one shot that I'm truly satisfied, so I'm always excited to see a dragonfly on a nice perch with a clean background.

Here's a shot taken recently:

[ortega]

Originally Posted by windraider Actually I would also like to use this opportunity to ask a few questions to the other contributors: 1) Are most of your images cropped or digitally zoomed-in, especially the close up of the eyes? Also what focal length lens are you using, are they macro lenses or fitted with extension tubes/reverse mounted?

for me, i am using a Nikon 105mm macro, note that on digital you have to factor in the crop factor, so the images are already cropped 1.5x
My images are usually cropped for composition.

Originally Posted by windraider 2) Do you use flash for your shots? If yes what kind, ie macro ring , single off the camera or multiple?

at first I use my pop up flash on my D70
but now I am experimenting with other options (including multiple flash setup)

Originally Posted by windraider 3) Do the shots require high ISO & tripod/monopod support?

yes my shots require high ISO, mostly because I try to use the ambient light as well.
But I shoot handheld with support from tree/ground/railing or what ever i can find.

Originally Posted by windraider 2)Also I can't seem to zoom in any closer without getting blurry pics with my set-up. Does tripod support & longer exposure time improve things or should I use higher ISO?

The higher the magnification the less DOF and the greater the chance of camera shake.
a tripod will solve the camera shake but longer exposure time would mean greater chance of your subject moving or wind factor.

I hope that my info was helpful

[eikin]

one of my favourite subjects in Punggol actually ...

[eikin]

2 more ...

[Qazwer]

My contribution. This piece had been digitally re-mastered.

[Jayson_Ang]

Originally Posted by Qazwer My contribution. This piece had been digitally re-mastered.

haha digitally re-mastered ... got dolby surround?