randave2001 Loc: Richmond

Thank you very much, Don.

randave2001 Loc: Richmond

Thank you Jack.

randave2001 Loc: Richmond

Thanks Doc. I believe you helped me identify one of these a few years back that I took over at Innsbrook Lake. I was thrilled to see them at Ginter as well.

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

I would be happy to do any IDs for you any time. Just drop them in a PM. Have a great day!
>i< Doc

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Way, way wonderful series.

lightyear

Dave,

Would you tell us what setup you utilized for these gorgeous macro images? Camera/lens/settings?
Thanks.

Stan

randave2001 Loc: Richmond

randave2001 Loc: Richmond

Wow, that is very special praise coming from a master like yourself! Thank you Sippyjug104!!

randave2001 Loc: Richmond

Hi Stan,

For the past year I have been using Olympus micro 4/3 systems. Previously I used Canon gear. Therefore what gear you use is not the most important thing. I have been using the OM-D EM-1 mark iii until this outing. I switched to the new OM-1 and boy is it a great body! Still much to learn there!! For lenses I use several. The ones I use the most are the 75-300mm, 100-400mm, 60mm macro and the 90mm macro. For this set I used the 100-400mm which allows me to be a bit further from the subject and still fill the frame. If I can get really close to the subject then I use the 90mm macro. One thing to note with the micro 4/3 systems is that the crop factor is 2:1. Therefore a 90mm is actually 180mm on a full frame camera like the Canon 5DM3 I used to use. (So the 100-400mm is 200-800mm full frame equivalent.) I set the camera for aperture priority and normally shoot around f5.6 to 7.1. I set my ISO to somewhere between 250-800 depending on the ambient light available. Next, I observe the behavior of my subject. For instance, dragonflies tend to dart away when they see movement, but will normally come back to the same perch. With a little patience you will normally get the shot. Also dealing with DF's, they tend to land looking out onto whatever body of water they are patrolling. I like to get profile and head on shots. This can be difficult without waders! Sometimes you can use a pier that sticks out into the water or a part of the bank that juts out to get the perspective you want. From here it is just taking the image trying not to shake the camera.

Hope this is what you were looking for,

Dave

Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas

Great series, Dave.

lightyear

Hello Dave,
Thanks for the information. I shoot Nikon full frame DSLR, but your approach and images seem better than mine. My insect photo attempts with macro lenses have been largely unsuccessful due to insect movement away from the perch it was on. Will try longer lenses, although the DOF with longer lenses is quite shallow. Were most of our images handheld or tripod?
Stan

Sylvias Loc: North Yorkshire England

Excellent and interesting set Dave.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Nice critter shots.

randave2001 Loc: Richmond

Thank you Earnest, much appreciated.

randave2001 Loc: Richmond

I shoot hand held. Normally not enough time to situate a tripod before the critter has fled not to mention carrying around that extra gear. Just have to learn how to brace yourself for the shot.