One for Bill: Flying Sympetrum Species

Image Critiques
1

Original - FlyingSympetrum.jpg
Original - FlyingSympetrum.jpg2000×1450 662 KB

Critique Style: Standard

The photographer is looking for thoughtful feedback on the image as a whole, especially around the areas noted below.

Feedback Focus: Artistic / Expressive

About This Image

I thought about @Bill_Fach pining for a flying dragonfly shot. So I thought about all the macro equipment that I have and designed a combination that would maximize capturing one of these insects in flight. I found a 2x teleconverter and attached my 105mm f2.8 Micro to it for the autofocus. I then hunted around for a likely perch that was being used by dragonflies around our pond. I was able to get a few good ones out of the series. This was one of the better ones, and I may clean up the dark upper right corner in the future.

Feedback Requested

I was just hoping to get the subject in focus and left enough space around it for a descent crop. How do you like the comp? I may head out to a field tomorrow to get this species flying against a lighter BG which will increase contrast for better focusing and number of keepers.

Technical Details

Camera: Z9
Lens: 105mm f2.8 Micro + 2.0x TC
Focal length: 210mm
Shutter speed: 1/5000 sec
Aperture: f13
ISO:2800
Flash: Natural Light

2

:face_with_symbols_on_mouth: 15 yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct!!! It’s bad enough that you got one in flight but to add insult to injury you have spectacular colors and a fabulous BG. Jim, this is a serious friendship test :angry: but I grudgingly have to admit this is a terrific shot. Exceptionally well done :+1: :+1: >=))>

3

Oh no, I got the penalty flag :sweat_smile: ! At least I did not get thrown into the penalty box. I may need to drive to Houston and take you out dragonfly hunting. With your 200mm lens and if it supports autofocus, you should be able to snag some of these guys in flight. Migratory variegated meadowhawks are moving through Texas right now. Males have pink eyes and a colorful patterned abdomen. I found one on our property a few years ago, but failed to get a photo. Head out to a field and scout areas along walking paths and you should run into them. Auto ISO, f8 to f13, burst mode (servo) and a shutter speed between 1/3200 to 1/5000 second should work. I found several records for variegated meadowhawk in Harris County, TX. We are rooting for you to get the coveted flying dragonfly. …Jim

4

What a fantastic capture!! A gorgeous subject and BG with perfect focus.

I have the best luck with DFs with my 1000mm macro (100-500 + 2X). My real macro lens is a little dated and has slow focus response. I wonder if the new ones are better?

I would feel sympathy for Bill but his gorgeous flowers make me want to throw down penalty flags – and we won’t even mention the opportunity to find lotus – at Lowe’s no less! (Hey, David, how about another emoji??)

5

Maybe, Bill, if you have a greenhouse, you could persuade one into it for a few shots, as I guess it would be hovering more than usual - worth a try (anticipating Brownie points here). Jim, a super shot with excellent color contrast. I’d definitely fill up that corner to take it to 11/10.

6

Great capture Jim. Focus and sharpness are amazing.

7

Diane: Don’t give the big box Lowe’s any credit. My happy place is the Lowe’s Water Gardens in NW Houston, a small mom and pop place that welcomes me whenever I drop by, doesn’t care about tripods and only wants an occasional print to display in the store. :wink:

1 Like
8

A beautiful image of this amazingly colorful dragonfly, Jim. I’ll root for Bill to get his soon. My limited (very) experience in this genre produced the best results using my birding lens. The new zooms focus plenty closely enough that you can get a reasonable size in the frame on something as large as a dragonfly.

2 Likes
9

@Bill_Fach – in that case, that’s ALMOST as good as finding a subject in the wild!

10

Jim, this is an excellent in-flight catch. The details are amazingly sharp and the colors really pop, with the bright red against the green. I’ve seen fall Sympetrum doing some patrolling, which helps in doing follow flight captures.

11

Thank you @Bill_Fach , @Diane_Miller , @Mike_Friel , @Huw_Thomas , @Mark_Seaver , and @Dennis_Plank for your comments and critiques. It takes a lot of practice and a willingness to adopt new techniques when trying to get action shots of insects. Hopefully, I will be able to get a few more shots of this type before the first frost of autumn occurs. And more importantly, I hope that @Bill_Fach gets the dragonfly shot of a lifetime for all of us to critique…Jim