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My 1st Dragonfly


My 1st Dragonfly
Photo Information
Copyright: Jesus Linares (jlinaresp) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 478 W: 17 N: 998] (3718)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-06-05
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon SX 110 IS
Exposure: f/4.3, 1/100 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2009-06-06 16:03
Viewed: 477
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note [Spanish]
Yesterday I finally decided to photograph my first Dragonfly, I have seen several pictures of my friends in TN, and these insects have begun to interesting results.
Unfortunately, I did not know he was going to get a dragonfly, an extremely disturbed. First, almost went flying at the height of my head, I was pursued during 10 minutes of fairly complicated place, full of branches, rocks and additionally was quite hot and the humidity was very high. Then, this dragonfly decided to perch on a branch nearby. I prepared my camera in manual mode and macro approach, but decided on this little dragonfly never allowed me closer than 2 meters of it! Appears to have very good hearing, sensing temperature or whatever other method to avoid tracking it closely!
After nearly 40 minutes of scratches, bites, heat, humidity and fruitless pursuit, our friend was "out of range" at about 4.5 meters away, separated from me by a trench deep enough (and I was not prepared jumping). So, I decided to prove i could do with my compact camera to avoid having to give up:

1) Put the reolution in M3 (1600 x 1200) and decided to use the 10X zoom (the maximum my camera) and using automatic approach normal.

2) I decided to place the program in the camera mode [P] for the shutter and aperture are set automatically.

3) I took a picture ... and the dragonfly was still too small and appear somewhat blurry.

4) I decided to keep the resolution in M3 and use digital tele converter digital (1.3X and 2.2X factor) but it was impossible to focus, so I had to use manual focus (to me it's hard to focus manually).

5) After 3 pictures with 10X zoom, 1.3 tele converter, and manual focus, I began to get regular photos, but the bottom was not as blurred as I would have liked.

6) I decided to go to the program manual [M] to minimize the opening up to 4.3 (up to 10x zoom) and the program [P] I placed automatically in 5.0.

7) The aperture setting me more light (the day was somewhat cloudy) and then I set the shutter to 1 / 100.

8) After the settings I tried with a couple of photos and got a good background and a dragonfly sharper, but still a little small. I decided to try the 2.2X digital tele converter factor which would give me a total of 22x and (thankfully) remembered turn ON image stabilization on the camera (IS). After a couple of pictures, I felt that the results were quite good to be 4.5 meters and using a digital converter.

I'm posting the picture, is far from being as good as the pictures of dragonflies that I see in TN, but I really enjoyed the challenge that I raised this insect, able to photograph it moderately difficult!
I decided to publish the details of the process to take the picture because I think that may be useful for those who drive compact camera like my Canon SX 110 IS, so as to exploit its potential.

I imagine that much of what I explained on these lines, is passed to many members of TN. I hope I apologize, but I think I have less of 9 months taken potos, and I find a delicious learning process it!

The picture has little PP; trimming necessary in view of the limited resolution, a means of sharpening the image, reducing noise level to medium, slightly obscured by the edges to make it appealing to the insect and a simple frame with a color matching to the whole.

I owe the classification of the insect, I'm working on that.

Thanks & Regards,

Jesús
jaycee, ramthakur, zetu, maurydv, CeltickRanger, CatherineD, uleko has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2009-06-06 16:14]

Hi Jose,

You have far more patience than I. Your perseverance and experimentation paid off and you present a lovely shot of this pretty dragonfly. Colors, details, pose, background and composition are all superb. You do wonders with your Canon SX 110 IS and I find it hard to believe you started photography only nine months ago. You are a natural and will be giving lessons to others soon. Keep at it - I expect great things from you.

Jane

For your first dragonfly picture, it is quite good, Jesus.
You had to go through a lot of trouble and discomfort to finally nail your first Dragonfly, but the patience and hard work paid off in the end in the shape of this first rate picture.
POV, sharpness, colours and composition are all in place.
I do lot of dragonfly imaging using my macro lens 105mm, but I have to get close to the subject to use it.
Keep trying and I'm sure your next dragonfly shoot will turn out still better.
TFS and regards.
Ram

  • Great 
  • zetu Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 655 W: 15 N: 1629] (6333)
  • [2009-06-07 0:35]

Hello Jesus
First but a good one. I like the excellent details and natural colors. Perfect focus too.
Regards
Razvan

Hi Jesus,
It sounds like you had a real mission chasing and photographing this one.
Its much better when they co operate,which they do sometimes.
One day,you will come across one that will come and land on your hand. You'll know then that that is the one you can photograph.
That is exactly how it happened for me :)
I look forward to seeing your shots improve as you learn more about technique and light.
Cheers & TFS
Steve

Ciao Jesus,
congratulazioni per questa splendida cattura di libellula, eccellenti POV e DOF, ottima nitidezza e colori molto belli e naturali, mi piace molto la composizione con un bellissimo sfondo dai magnifici colori pastello.
Grazie e complimenti
Buona giornata
Ciao Maurizio

Ciao Jesus, congratulations for your first dragonfly, beautiful composition with splendid blurry BG, fine details of trasparent wimgs, wonderful colors and superb sharpness, very well done, bravo, have a good Sunday, ciao Silvio

hello Jesus

congratulations for your first Dragonfly photo,
excellent one with the Dragonfly in working action,
with fine POV, superb focus with great sharpness
and details, appropriate fine vertical framing, TFS

Asbed

Hello Jesus,
Great job! The result (sharpness, colours, composition) is really excellent. And after ready your note, I realized it is not easy with your compact camera. So, it is really a performance. Congratulations,
Catherine

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3001 W: 162 N: 989] (2897)
  • [2009-06-09 6:11]

Hello Jesus,
Very nice capture being your first dragonfly!
I love the POV and the way it is holding its wings here. I also like the natural colours and the smooth background. Dragonflies have sharp eyes and notice any movement. It helps if you have clothes in colours that match their environment and move very slowly.
TFS and best regards, Ulla

patience and hard work pays in the end is'nt it? All of us have gone through this process of learning.... and it never ceases.
don't think the picture is that bad at all , but i feel the light levels could have been better, did a small WS

Come diciamo in Italia. Buona la prima caro Jesus! Gran POV. ottimi dettgali.

Roberto

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