We were at Roper Lake State Park AZ and I was looking for dragonflies. I found this one hovering back and forth and captured this photo.
Specific Feedback Requested
Faster shutter speed would have helped but these guys are so fast and dart away before you know it. Any other suggestions when this photo window comes up again.
Technical Details
Canon 90D 100-400 ii with a 1.4x extender. 368mm 1/160 f/14 iso 1000. Used a Gimbal on a monopod. I did expand the canvas because the subject was very close to the right edge and top.
Dean, you captured very nice details in the DF. I like the motion of the wings, which was accomplished by using such a low shutter speed. For me, I would prefer a bit more room for a fast mover like this, but, I would be thrilled to call this my shot. I have yet to get one. I hadn’t thought of using a Gimbal head on a monopod though. It might be next year before I can try this as the dragonflies are about gone here. Very nice.
Great capture of the Blue-eyed Darner, and nice you got him in the focal plane. They do hover a lot but so often shoot off as soon as you acquire focus. It looks like a bit of blur at the tip of the abdomen which could be cleaned up by cloning.
Thank you @Shirley_Freeman and @Diane_Miller. They move a lot and my biggest problem was finding the DF again when it moved a little. I will try and clone the tail from another photo that might have the tail more focused. Never thought of that.
Hi Dean, What a neat capture of an in-flight DF!
I’ve see them hovering at times but I never had the chance to capture one like this, I assume the profile view helped to bring the whole body in focus? Not sure what the DOF is on your setup at that focal range and aperture opening, either way it works well IMHO.
