Good morning everyone and welcome to the blog part of my personal site. The topic of the post is ” Butterflies, few more notes “.
One of the things that interests me most in photography, besides flora, are butterflies.
I’ve published about 900 photographs in my portfolio on the SHUTTERSTOCK site. These photographs represent (at this date) about 1/10 of the total photographs present on that site. A testimony of my real interest in these little animals. So, the reason for this post “Butterflies few more notes” is a further personal experience, which I think is useful to share.
I have already dedicated several posts to this topic (here), but I feel the need to add something more than the previous posts. Obviously I’m referring not only to the beauty of Lepidoptera in general, but to the technique to photograph these splendid subjects.
After years in which my photography has been mainly oriented towards the use of manual macro lenses, I’ve almost unconsciously realized that with a zoom (poor in quality) like the Sony 55-210mm… I can get good photographs in an extremely fast and simple way.
Obviously it would be better to have a dedicated MACRO lens of better quality, perhaps a 90mm or better perhaps a 105mm. Nonetheless, a basic lens like the one described above, almost always gives a good/excellent result in a way that I consider really simple and immediate for this photographic genre.
Shutter speed, the Aperture and the Light are the main elements to consider for this kind of photo. My experiments using that economic lens, in the last few months are in my humble opinion satisfactory.
They allow me first of all a focusing speed unimaginable with a classic manual lens.
On the other hand, a possibility of shooting without disturbing the subject that really allows the shooting of subjects, in various poses and in different possible configurations.
I can quickly change the APERTURE of the DIAPHRAGM, SHUTTER TIME, and above all it makes it absolutely simple for me to be able to capture the subject in different poses, and different behaviours of the same.
It does not only apply to butterflies of course, but also to dragonflies, bees, spiders, and other small subjects.
Although I have now (I think) photographed every possible BUTTERFLY in my area in these last 4 years, I always hope to be able to photograph something new and interesting. The possibilities are objectively scarce, but hope IS always the motivation, which pushes me to go out with this type of lens mounted on the camera.
I do not think I have become lazy, it is simply easier. With this lens I reach the subject much more easily. I can often capture the moment of the photograph that interests me.
I had without writing here a MACRO 105mm of famous Japanese brand, and of excellent quality. But I returned it after a few days, because absolutely not valid. Noisy, slow in focusing, absolutely NOT valid in MY opinion for the photography that I intend to do for BUTTERFLIES, INSECTS, DRAGONFLYS, etc…
I’m tempted to buy a lens from a different Japanese manufacturer, which I believe could give me better results… 90mm F2.8… but for now I will stick with this basic zoom that satisfies me 70%.
If I decide to take this step, I will let you know in the blog of the site. Follow this topic “Butterflies few more notes”, and similar.
My parameters using this type of lens are on “average” a SHUTTER TIME of about 1/500 of a second. An APERTURE of F8… which obviously vary according to the ambient light, and also and above all the subject.
Butterflies and Dragonflies in particular, have imperceptible movements at times. It is really difficult for them to be truly STILL. So a fairly fast shutter speed, and an automatic ISO, often give the best result. Do your experiments… I sometimes use lower shutter speeds, but other RARE times, even 1/800 – 1/1000. If possible of the same subject, and maybe in the same pose… I try different apertures. I often use F9 | F10 | sometimes even F11. More rarely I go below F8. Really and I keep repeating it, do your own direct tests and experiences… It is the best thing. What is valid for me, is not necessarily valid for you.
I hope these “Butterflies few more notes”, somehow useful to you. All in all, a decent zoom, patience and tests allow for good quality photographs.
As for the part of photographic EDITING I have recently started using, I believe that this partly helps in my opinion the final rendering of the photographic image. NOT always, but I think it is useful to enhance some of the characteristics of the subject. Color and Light in particular, in my personal experience.
I don’t know if I have developed here everything I wanted to write, but I think it was in a certain sense useful to inform you of the latest developments in this regard.
Thank you for reading the post, to the end.
See you soon, I hope. Good continuation and GOOD LIGHT!
