dragons and damsels unite!

[almostnormal]

These are my first attempts at photographing dragona and damsels. I took most of them at the pond near our office, but the blue tailed female i got walking the doggy this evening. I dunno thouh, the back ground always seems to get in the way. Must teach self to use camera properly!! any suggestions welcome, but i rather enjoyed my little break from sedge id this aftenoon

Female southern hawker


Pair of damsels – not sure which, but suspect common or blue tailed


Common darter male, who obligingly just sat there




Female blue tailed i think, who again just sat there!

[GuyF]

They're all nice shots. I haven't been able to photograph many dragons and damsels this year unfortunately, I wouldn't mind a go at it. Your mating pair are Blue-tailed damsels and the last shot is a male Emerald damsel.
Guy

[almostnormal]

Originally Posted by GuyF

They're all nice shots. I haven't been able to photograph many dragons and damsels this year unfortunately, I wouldn't mind a go at it. Your mating pair are Blue-tailed damsels and the last shot is a male Emerald damsel.
Guy

aha, thaks for the id correction....it was the blue tail that threw me!

[mh68]

All nice shots, but on the darter pics it does look as though the autofocus has locked onto the rope not the dragonflies body, which i`ve found happens a lot when photographing dragonflies.It sometimes pays to take plenty of shots, checking them on the lcd until you get one in perfect focus.That last shot is excellent, i`d be over the moon with that one

Mark H

[Ollie]

For a first attempt these are very good photographs particularly the Emerald, that's a lovely shot. It's always difficult when photographing Dragons and Damsels to get a not to busy background if you see what I mean as they tend to be in amongst the grass or reeds. Have to agree with Mark on the focus with the darters. I very often use manual focus, especially with the smaller Damsels where there isn't a lot for the auto focus to lock on to.
Roger

[brucemstrs]

Wow - if those are your first attempts get ready to give up the day job. That Emerald is really good. Thanks for sharing them.

[almostnormal]

thanks guys, did use manual focus, but i really am rubbish at close up focus....will try to find a better shot! think there are a few more of that darter!

[jdoherty]

I always try to use a tripod when taking macro shots. Also try using a larger depth of field. This helps me to get sharper shots.

John

[glsammy]

Nice shots, well done. One way to tell the Emerald is that it's one of the few that will perch with its wings open, plus in my opinion it's just about the best looking Damselfly!

[mh68]

Originally Posted by jdoherty

I always try to use a tripod when taking macro shots. Also try using a larger depth of field. This helps me to get sharper shots.

John

Both good points, especially re the larger depth of field....with the bodies of dragonflies being so slim , more depth of field may have got the body in focus even tho the autofocus was slightly out and locked onto the rope.

Mark H