Frank mentioned that he would like to see a topic on photographing insects, well you have to do what the boss says.Here is a start. ( photo / image / picture from Kildale's Garden ) This flower has a nice hover fly on it but it is in the shade and probably swaying in the breeze. ( photo / image / picture from Kildale's Garden ) Hold the flower and move it in to the sun light. ( photo / image / picture from Kildale's Garden ) That is better but now you can see my hand when I crop the picture. ( photo / image / picture from Kildale's Garden ) Turn the flower around. ( photo / image / picture from Kildale's Garden ) Now you can crop the picture and rotate it a couple of times. And so ends todays lesson.
Yes, I agree. Love this subject, thank you for posting. I like to take photos of insects but they usually fly away on me before I can snap the picture.
Now I have to give away my little secrets. One of the 'tools' that I use is a bug catcher. These are great anyway even if you don't take photos. Catch and release so to speak. ( photo / image / picture from Kildale's Garden ) Now we have a beetle on a wall or whatever, not a great background, especially if it is on a screen door etc. ( photo / image / picture from Kildale's Garden ) Catch it in the trap, you just open it and place it over the subject, then gently close it, letting the subject move inside. There were no subjects around today to show you this in action. ( photo / image / picture from Kildale's Garden ) Then you can place the closed trap over a better background, I use a large leaf most of the time. Slowly open the door. Wait a few seconds for the subject to stay put, then raise the trap slowly. If it stays, take a photo, if it moves, lower the trap. I usually take a few photos. ( photo / image / picture from Kildale's Garden ) Add an extra leaf and take a couple more. Then you can let them go. So endeth lesson number two.
No Frank, its a purchased item. We have two, one in the house to remove bugs and the other in the green house for outdoor use.
Ah now this is a tip I will be using instead of spending ages trying to get the right shot. Thanks Kildale.
Many of the stalking spiders, I know, we are supposed to be talking about photographing insects, well let’s call it photographing bugs as spiders are not insects. Well these spiders are usually in the flowers in the garden. When they are on a leaf, and in an awkward spot to photograph them, carefully pull the leaf off the plant. ( photo / image / picture from Kildale's Garden ) Then you can bring the subject up to the camera. ( photo / image / picture from Kildale's Garden ) You can do this even when the spider is close, but more convenient to hold it still and nearer to the camera. ( photo / image / picture from Kildale's Garden ) This also works well when the subject goes under the leaf, you simply turn it over. This endeth lesson three. ( photo / image / picture from Kildale's Garden )
That is so wonderful to know and see. I doubt that I would ever use this info for, as you know I am no photographer, but I will file it in my memory banks somewhere. I do enjoy your posts especially this one. Thanks from me....
You can use the previous hint using flowers. When a subject is in a flower head, it’s not likely going to stay in view as you move the camera in close. Leaving as much stalk as possible cut, or break off, the flower. Take a photo if you can. This is a Lynx spider in these photos. ( photo / image / picture from Kildale's Garden ) The spider is going to try to hide on the underside of the flower. You have control of the flower, just turn it over and take you picture. ( photo / image / picture from Kildale's Garden )
Many plants that attract a lot of insects can be rather tall and difficult to get near to them. Here we have a very busy fennel plant. ( photo / image / picture from Kildale's Garden ) The solution here is to bend down small sections of the plant, down to the camera. Do this slowly of course so as not to chase the insects away. ( photo / image / picture from Kildale's Garden ) If they take off, they usually just go to another part of the plant so you bring down another piece. ( photo / image / picture from Kildale's Garden ) This is a spider wasp, it hunts spiders.
