A visit to "Dragontowne" -- pictures of focus stacked dragonflies
Nov 3, 2019 10:28:37 #
I usually post in the True Macrophotography section, but I was thinking that folks here might also enjoy a look at some dragonflies.
When photographing larger insects, I generally take some pictures that focus on different parts of the subject. These can sometimes then be stitched together in Gimp to create a picture with greater depth of focus.
It seems an obvious thing to try out the stacking program known as Zerene Stacker for this task. Most of the following pictures of dragonflies were made from 2-4 "focus bracketed" pictures that were later merged in ZS. My usual method of getting similar results in Gimp could take hours, but here the task was largely done in minutes! As is shown here, a tripod or other means to a-fix the camera is not necessary for stacking. I use a "steadying stick" (a monopod with a telephoto lens resting on a Y-yoke). Good results can be had even if there are small movements of the subject or background foliage. Simple touch-ups in ZS will take care of most of those issues.
The first three pictures are of a male twelve-spotted skimmer, Libellula pulchela. Males of this common species develop reflective white areas as they age. They frequently perch several feet off the ground, so pictures tend to be fore-shortened and impossible to get good focus in a single frame. Easily remedied with this method!
Twelve-spotted skimmer by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Twelve-spotted skimmer by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Twelve-spotted skimmer by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Next are pictures of a beautiful male spatterdock darner, Rhionaeschna mutata. These large dragonflies were fairly common in certain places this summer, although I had not seen many previously. Swift and powerful fliers, they do not at first seem inclined to land. But if one waits with some patience, they in fact will land and when they do they are fairly easy to approach for pictures. The first image is stacked from two pictures, but the second picture is a single frame that was good on its own.
Spatterdock darner by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Spatterdock darner by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
The final picture is a new species for me (always very exciting to have that!). This is a four-spotted skimmer, Libellula quadrimaculata, I think it is a female. So far this is the only example I have of this species.
Four-spotted skimmer by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
When photographing larger insects, I generally take some pictures that focus on different parts of the subject. These can sometimes then be stitched together in Gimp to create a picture with greater depth of focus.
It seems an obvious thing to try out the stacking program known as Zerene Stacker for this task. Most of the following pictures of dragonflies were made from 2-4 "focus bracketed" pictures that were later merged in ZS. My usual method of getting similar results in Gimp could take hours, but here the task was largely done in minutes! As is shown here, a tripod or other means to a-fix the camera is not necessary for stacking. I use a "steadying stick" (a monopod with a telephoto lens resting on a Y-yoke). Good results can be had even if there are small movements of the subject or background foliage. Simple touch-ups in ZS will take care of most of those issues.
The first three pictures are of a male twelve-spotted skimmer, Libellula pulchela. Males of this common species develop reflective white areas as they age. They frequently perch several feet off the ground, so pictures tend to be fore-shortened and impossible to get good focus in a single frame. Easily remedied with this method!
Twelve-spotted skimmer by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrTwelve-spotted skimmer by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrTwelve-spotted skimmer by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrNext are pictures of a beautiful male spatterdock darner, Rhionaeschna mutata. These large dragonflies were fairly common in certain places this summer, although I had not seen many previously. Swift and powerful fliers, they do not at first seem inclined to land. But if one waits with some patience, they in fact will land and when they do they are fairly easy to approach for pictures. The first image is stacked from two pictures, but the second picture is a single frame that was good on its own.
Spatterdock darner by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrSpatterdock darner by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrThe final picture is a new species for me (always very exciting to have that!). This is a four-spotted skimmer, Libellula quadrimaculata, I think it is a female. So far this is the only example I have of this species.
Four-spotted skimmer by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrNov 3, 2019 12:54:24 #
Nov 3, 2019 13:12:42 #
Nov 3, 2019 16:07:53 #
Nov 3, 2019 21:19:03 #
Nov 4, 2019 08:36:51 #
Nov 4, 2019 10:47:51 #
Wonderful dragon pictures, especially because the backgrounds have no clutter and the little fellows are sharp throughout!
Nov 4, 2019 12:39:34 #
Nov 4, 2019 17:19:44 #
Mark Sturtevant wrote:
I usually post in the True Macrophotography sectio... (show quote)
beautiful work, mark!
Nov 4, 2019 18:04:29 #
So glad you posted here, Mark, and I can't praise this beautiful post enough. Out of this world photography and extremely interesting information.
Nov 4, 2019 19:38:14 #
Nov 4, 2019 21:04:36 #
Nov 6, 2019 03:05:18 #
Nov 8, 2019 21:52:12 #
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