Posting Fourteen

"Photographing Butterflies"

Living in Massachusetts, we are most fortunate to have accessibility to two (2) indoor butterfly facilities - one in Westford and the other in South Deerfield. For a nominal fee and an early arrival, one can tote in a tripod and have a fairly crowd-free environment. Speaking to Hockomock Digital Photographers’ resident nature expert, Frank Gorga, I was able to gather some helpful tips on how to capture these very flighty insects. Check out Frank’s blog for great images and suggestions: http://gorga.org/blog/

Lens Choices:
  Best: 300 mm lens with extension tubes is probably the best
      combination of working distance and magnification.
  Better: a long lens (200 or 300 mm) with a short minimum
      focus distance.
  Good: a macro lens is of limited use as one simply can't
      get close enough to a living insect to make good use of it.

Critter Chasing Options:
  Hand-holding Camera with image stabilization
   Monopod or tripod (if allowed) set up where the butterflies are
      likely to feed – just wait. . .

Lighting:
   Fill flash needed as some critters may be back lit.
      Set your flash to one or two stops under.

From the Enchanting Kerala site (link below), there were these additions:
1.  Keep tripod head loose for butterfly movements.

2.  Watch your background – distracting? Change your angle.

3.  Keep your movements fluid and not jerky!

4.  Avoid casting YOUR shadow on the colorful critters!

5.  Keep the camera sensor parallel to butterfly’s body.

6.  Wear muted colors when shooting.

7.  Personally, avoid heavily scented perfumes, deodorants, or 
     after-shaves lotions.

Pack your patience filter – you’ll need it!

A couple of helpful links on capturing butterflies:
 
http://photonaturalist.net/7-tips-for-photographing-butterflies/

http://enchantingkerala.org/digital-photography-school/14-tips-for-photographing-butterflies.php