Insects

templeathea

What tips have people got for shooting insects?

I was shooting a Bee today (in December!!!!!). Tokk a fair few shots but the little fellow was constantly moving and most shots were out of focus. The sun kept disappearing as well which didn't help.

Anyway, what's the best way to shoot restless insects without killing them first?

Fajitas!

While this may offend some of the insect lovers out there, I find popping them into the fridge for about 20 minutes in a jar does them nicely... Just puts them to sleep, no harm done.

templeathea

Fajitas! wrote: »

While this may offend some of the insect lovers out there, I find popping them into the fridge for about 20 minutes in a jar does them nicely... Just puts them to sleep, no harm done.

:eek:

But yes, I know that works. This guy was on a Primula in the Botanic gardens though so that wasn't an option

Borderfox

zzzzzzzzz

Fajitas! wrote: »

While this may offend some of the insect lovers out there, I find popping them into the fridge for about 20 minutes in a jar does them nicely... Just puts them to sleep, no harm done.

Fajitas!

Liquid nitrogen spray?


Other than that, I don't know many other ways of keeping them still other than keeping your movements and noise to a minimum, and approaching from the side, rather than the top.

Roen

You need lots and lots patience for starters, I've been trying to get a sharp picture of a dragonfly in flight for the last two summers now and have had no luck.

I usually pick one insect and follow it, but at the same time keeping an eye out for other things that may be happening.

Most of the time they don't play ball, but occasionally one will stay still long enough to get a shot. It certainly looks like you got in plenty close to that bee today anyway.

Getting enough light is always a problem, a dedicated ring flash is an option, but an expensive one at that. Tripods are great, but really hamper you as you leg it from one flower or twig to the next.

One thing that most insect snappers do is to start shooting from quite far away, as at least that you'll have something if the bug buggers off.

And as for bees, you'll see them at any time of the year at all, as long as the weather is fine they'll leave the hive to go for a 'pit stop'.

templeathea

Thanks for that Roen, some good tips. I'd love a ringflash alright, my prosthodontist has an SB-29 that looks great.

I was using the 100mm Tokina for that shot, it really allows you to be a discreet distance from the subject, ,much handier than the 60mm Nikkor I've used before

snellers

agree with Roen...Patience is the key....although following an insect around the garden...not sure if that works Roen ;-) (I know what you mean but it seemed funny the first time I read it....the thought of someone creeping around the bushes chasing a bee around a garden rather than waiting for it or another to come back!)

If you are looking at off the cuff pics then bang the shutter speed up and under expose slightly if necessary - providing your histogram isn't too shabby you can restore under ps if necessary. I tend to scout the plants that are popular amongst my chosen insect of the day, setup the tripod and focus area on the plant.....and wait...then wait some more. (Helps if you have 150mm + macro as can keep a good distance away.)

Mornings or late afternoon I find are best as they tend to be a bit sleepier...don't forget all the basics of setup (cable release, mirror lockup..etc)

mikeanywhere

Depending how far away you are, it might be worth going f4 to get it all sharp (light/lens dependent of course).

Fridge option is a great tip too!!

tr33lo

Just use a flash, i have made a bracket for my camera and flash so i can get the flash head as near to the front of the lens as possible. pretty much all my insect photography is taken with this setup, seems to work ok for me, I also only take them handheld, I have no idea how some people manage to use tripods for insect shots!!!

My camera with bracket:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tr33lo/509706383/

Deacon Blues

You could also bait them. Using a suger water solution on a leaf should make them hang around for longer.

trishw78

Damn Pesky insects need to be trained in sitting still

Mellor

Fajitas! wrote: »

While this may offend some of the insect lovers out there, I find popping them into the fridge for about 20 minutes in a jar does them nicely... Just puts them to sleep, no harm done.

as a follow up to this, once they are asleep, you can tie a piece of thread around them,
when they thaw and wake, you have a fly/bee on a leash :D

tnkrbell

I find that some of the best insects to photograph are butterflies though you do have to be quick with shooting them to get a good picture

Butterflies in Argentina at Iguazu falls http://www.flickr.com/photos/tnkrbelldcu/1811354504/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tnkrbelldcu/1811353250/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tnkrbelldcu/1810501627/ <--- ive no idea what the butterfly is feeding on in this pic

Why not take a trip to the butterfly farm if its still open.There'd be plenty of photo oppurtunities there
I also agree with Trish they should be thought to sit

Roen

tr33lo wrote: »

Just use a flash, i have made a bracket for my camera and flash so i can get the flash head as near to the front of the lens as possible. pretty much all my insect photography is taken with this setup, seems to work ok for me, I also only take them handheld, I have no idea how some people manage to use tripods for insect shots!!!

My camera with bracket:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tr33lo/509706383/

I still laugh when I see that, and I've seen it about 20 times now