articles/Nature/capturingdragons-page6

Capturing Dragons by Andy Astbury - part 6 of 1 2 3 4 5 6

by Andy Astbury Published 01/02/2009

Perhaps if I'd have tilted the frame over so that it was more parallel to the main stem of the orchid and if I'd moved slightly left to incorporate a little less of it then the problem would be reduced somewhat, and the composition may be improved slightly because the line of the subject's wings would be more parallel with the frame diagonal - we all live and learn!

Every now and again though I do get it right! And so to recap:

We need to ensure that our sensor plane is as parallel to our main subject plane as possible in order to maximise our depth of field for the chosen aperture and that everything we want sharp is inside our DoF box.

We need to ensure that we are critically focussed.

We need to check our background using our depth of field preview button.

If we need to move in order to change our composition, then refocus and check that background again - and then check it again.

And lastly, as I said at the beginning, I thank God for digital. I love spending money, but only when I have an awful lot more than I'm parting with, which sadly is seldom the case! If I was shooting film then I just cannot comprehend what my weekly lab bill would be, but with digital, frames cost nothing - so take as many frames as you can because even on a calm day there are air currents that cause small amounts of movement that at these subject distances can wreak havoc with your image.

Then, when you KNOW you have your shot 'in the can' - shoot some more frames!

As a parting shot I'll leave you with this thought on how many frames to shoot. The image of the common darter on the rosebay willow herb and the buff background was actually exposed 129 times, each time at 1/8 of a second at f11. Out of those 129 images only four are what I class as fully usable, the rest are all flawed with tiny movements due to air currents or the subject wiping an eye or committing some other equally sinful and uncooperative act.

So the maxim is - shoot enough, THEN SHOOT SOME MORE!

Digital frames cost nothing - so USE THEM.

I hope you've found this article interesting and that perhaps it may have piqued your interest in these awesome creations of nature.

If you would like to attempt some serious Dragon photography this year then you've got enough time from now to get your kit in order and practice the techniques I've outlined in this article. Even if you don't 'fancy a go' please, next time you see one, just take a moment or two to marvel at it - their ecology is under constant threat so perhaps the time will come, in the non-too-distant future, when they are no longer around for us to appreciate.

• Capturing Dragons by Andy Astbury page 1
  
• Capturing Dragons by Andy Astbury page 2
  
• Capturing Dragons by Andy Astbury page 3
  
• Capturing Dragons by Andy Astbury page 4
  
• Capturing Dragons by Andy Astbury page 5
  
• Capturing Dragons by Andy Astbury page 6
  

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