Some people have asked how I get the insects in my "Small World" series to sit still for their portraits.....so...here are a few tips....

Note that ALL images were taken in the insects natural environment....none were touched or harmed in any way.

1. Move very very slowly.

2. Wear dark colored clothing...green, brown, black etc. Bright colored clothing will scare most insects except for the butterflies which might confuse you for a flower....

3. If possible, approach the insects from below...they are sensitive to predators that usually come from above

4. Try to approach them during cooler weather....either mornings, evenings or when it is cloudy/rainy...they won't be nearly as active.  The downside to this is that they may be hard to find as well!  The other downside to this is that these are also low light periods...making image lighting problematic.

5. Take lots and lots of shots....your keeper percentage is generally very low...with the minimal depth of field available, focus points are critical

6. All my shots were hand held....the bugs generally won't wait for you to set up with a tripod...so, see if you can find some available object near the insect to use as stabilization for you and your cam.

7. Windy days will ruin most efforts to get these type of shots...so, try calm periods...again, early morning or evening seem to be best.

8. Practice on some of the less hyperactive bugs first...like the ladybugs, caterpillars, small flies etc.

9. Talk to the bugs...sounds crazy, I know...LOL...but it really seems to work especially for the dragonflies and buttys.

10. Expect to get wet, dirty and occasionally bitten....you will be on the ground for some shots....and there are hungry bugs waiting for you there...LOL!

Hope this helps....have fun!

Thanks for the tips - I suffer with many of the above problems when trying to take close-up shots, which is similar to macro, just not the right lens!! LOL!
Perhaps next time I shall try talking to the buttys 'cos they are constantly fluttering off as soon as I get within a few feet of them.
Hugs
Chrissy xx

Thanks for the tips.  I have all the same problems that Chrissy has.  But I will continue to try.  Tomorrow I will be posting a photo of a blue dragon fly.  It looks quite close up but that's only because I used my 400mm lens.

Just to add a few points that I missed in the first post....

Often it helps to sit still in a spot that the insect of interest frequents....they usually come back...chasing them around is not very effective.

Dragonflies ( and damsels)  in particular seem to have a flight circuit and spots where they like to rest...if you can find where their favorite spot(s) are....set up close by.

A monopod can help for stabilization....failing that, a stick or even a garden spade will do just fine. 

 I will certainly agree with what you say here..these two items you mentioned have special note to me.  

"7) Windy days will ruin most efforts to get these type of shots...so, try calm periods...again, early morning or evening seem to be best."

First the windy days mean moving stuff, that is how it bothers my shots.  I often shoot without the brightest light and fastest shutter, still wantng to get a decent dof. Yes, calm days are best for the shot and to find the bugs.

"9) Talk to the bugs...sounds crazy, I know...LOL...but it really seems to work especially for the dragonflies and buttys."

Talk to the bugs..does not sound crazy to me. I believe it might be possible the dragonflies around here have passed to thier offspring that "he is not a threat"...yes, sounds crazy but each year with much talking to them and getting closer and closer, the next year the new ones are easier to approach..like they have my image ingrained as "no threat".  No science to prove that, only experience.

Yes, Tom...What I especially like about the dragonflies/damsels is that they almost seem to have a personality of their own. Perhaps they know that they can flit away in an instance.....or.....Perhaps it is them who are observing us.....

In youth, we learn....with age, we understand.

Failing all that a dry ice spray will freeze 'em to the branches   

I'm only joking !!!
Good tips there to help get some great natural shots. Knowing a bit about the creature you are shooting helps a great deal.  For example: Darter dragon flies will readily use a hunting perch that you put there for them if it is in the right place and most suitable perch around for their purpose.  Observation is key to get to know their habits.

Great tips indeed! I'd like to add that a telelens that can come quite close is very handy. Being able to capture then life-size from some 20 inch distance frightens them less that "that big eye" coming as close as four inch, or less.

Makes me think of that great saying by Sogyal Rinpoche: "What is the greatest happiness: being able to scratch when you got bitten by a mosquito, or no be bitten at all?"

And now I'm off to friend Gradient's pics.

Some great tips and suggestions there! One thing that works for me when I'm trying to photograph bugs (with the emphasis very much on trying, I'm not that successful, lol) is don't let your shadow fall on them while creeping up on them.

Yes, good point regarding shadows, astro66!

@Onslow...yes, knowing the habits of the particular insect helps immensely.

Also, be cautious of disturbing nearby vegetation as you approach....often by moving or even touching nearby branches/leaves/stems....may cause some movement to the vegetation where your insect is sitting. They generally don't like that....

Regarding my point number 4...cooler weather....with rainy cool weather the past few days, I couldn't find an insect for the life of me today....LOL

Thank you for the tips!
I will try nr4 next saturday: I'll leave in the early morning (when the weather's fine)
I read on another site that at this moment dragonflies hatch out!

Another tip: be patient, damsels and dragons mostly return to the same resting spot.

Suffered a few bites last weekend, so when you go bug hunting: dress in long trousers, long socks or boots, t-shirts with long sleeves. Looks a bit silly when the weather's hot, but it protects you!

Natalie
xxx