Just back from ten days camping and walking in Cornwall. Not really a photography trip but I took my camera gear anyway (just in case.....).
Walking along the coastal path near St. Just I came across a small stream which was a hive of Demoiselle activity with many males patrolling the waters edge and lots of willing females in the vicinity. Superb insects to observe in flight with great irridescent colours.
Luckily I now own a copy of Steve Brooks's excellent Field guide so I now know what I am looking at when it comes to dragonfiles and damselflies.
Canon 5D, 24-70mm L at 70mm + 25mm extension tube, ISO 250, f8, 1/250th, lens resting on the ground, full frame.
Nick suggested to me using the 24-70 with extension tubes and it does make a surprising good macro arrangement, you can get very close even with the full frame sensor in the 5D. An excellent combination when you can get close enough to the subject.
I would have preferred a less cluttered background but not always easy to achieve, but at least I was fortunate that these two settled in an accesible spot which allowed me to get the camera close and parallel to the insects.
A good behavioural shot to have captured and although the background may not be as clear as you may have hoped it could also have been much worse.Personally I don't find it particularly distracting as the beahaviour and those wonderful metallic colours really hold my attention.
That was indeed a good tip from Nick,handy when you wish to travel light.
A species I've yet to behold, they live up to their name for sure. I'm not distracted either, the only nit for me is perhaps a touch more room on the left would be nice, a more pano style shot.
They truly are beautiful,I agree with Tim re more room on the left side,also the left hand demoiselles head looks soft-maybe some movement from the insect rather than dof
Agree with what has been said already.... I am green with jealousy here, these are very rare in my part of the country and I have only had the opportunity to photograph one once, but that was a first sighting for the area
Discussion
8 repliesJust back from ten days camping and walking in Cornwall. Not really a photography trip but I took my camera gear anyway (just in case.....).
Walking along the coastal path near St. Just I came across a small stream which was a hive of Demoiselle activity with many males patrolling the waters edge and lots of willing females in the vicinity. Superb insects to observe in flight with great irridescent colours.
Luckily I now own a copy of Steve Brooks's excellent Field guide so I now know what I am looking at when it comes to dragonfiles and damselflies.
Canon 5D, 24-70mm L at 70mm + 25mm extension tube, ISO 250, f8, 1/250th, lens resting on the ground, full frame.
Nick suggested to me using the 24-70 with extension tubes and it does make a surprising good macro arrangement, you can get very close even with the full frame sensor in the 5D. An excellent combination when you can get close enough to the subject.
I would have preferred a less cluttered background but not always easy to achieve, but at least I was fortunate that these two settled in an accesible spot which allowed me to get the camera close and parallel to the insects.
cheers
Sean
A good behavioural shot to have captured and although the background may not be as clear as you may have hoped it could also have been much worse.Personally I don't find it particularly distracting as the beahaviour and those wonderful metallic colours really hold my attention.
That was indeed a good tip from Nick,handy when you wish to travel light.
Tim
I really must get out there.....
Great action shot, a species I have yet to see let alone photograph, I agree with Tim and Daves comments.
Dan
I too , agree with Tim and Dave. Still an excellent capture of a species I have never even seen!
Best wishes
Phil
David