Graham 0 Report post Posted August 16, 2006 Today I spent my lunch hour stalking dragonflies, hoping to capture a couple of nice photos. First thing I did was place a tied dragonfly on a stick that was protruding out into the water, thinking it might lure interest from a potential mate. It didn't take long... But now wish I had chosen an unbroken branch, because the severed branch kind of spoils the photos composition. Oh well, I’m still learning my techniques. Taking pics at noon on a sunny day blew out the highlights on the eyes. Maybe a cloudy day would be better for this kind of outdoor photography. But I do like this closeup shot... I was surprised when a white egret walked past and it didn’t notice me until I got a couple of pics. It was so close I couldn't get the whole bird framed because I was using a 200mm macro lens. I never figured I'd get a bird pic using a macro lens. I thoroughly enjoyed my lunch hour today, was very peaceful and relaxing, and good photography practice time as well. Cheers, Graham Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
colbyjack 0 Report post Posted August 16, 2006 looks good, and thats one heck of a lure you tied. -chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Peterjay 0 Report post Posted August 17, 2006 Nice job - the severed branch actually adds some symmetry to the composition - I like it - next thing you know, National Geographic's gonna come knocking - but I do hope the wild d-fly wasn't too disappointed by your cruel deception - I wouldn't try that same trick on moose or bears Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fly time 0 Report post Posted August 17, 2006 Some more great picts ya got there, that was a beautiful dragon, I have never seen an orange one before, You should submit some of your photos to the Missouri Conservationist its a magazine that has some very nice photos in it much like the ones you have been taking, if you have never seen a copy, shoot me a pm and Ill send ya one, very cool magazine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sturgeon_Catcher 0 Report post Posted August 17, 2006 Graham you are a tricky devil. The close up is perfect. The symmetry in the wings. How about the engineering on the mounts for those wings. Too good ...... Some more next lunch hour please. later Fred Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DaUP 0 Report post Posted August 17, 2006 great photos cant say ive ever seen an orange dragonfly before Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bugcam 0 Report post Posted August 17, 2006 Wow, Graham! You have a real knack for composition. Bird pic was exquisite! That close-up was spectacular! . Those wings are like stained glass windows, gorgeous! Flytime was right, definitely print worthy! You could submit to a lot of diff. magazines and those pics are begging to be entered into photo contests. What camera were you using? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Joe Hard 0 Report post Posted August 17, 2006 Those shots are awesome!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mtn 0 Report post Posted August 17, 2006 Wow those are amazing photo's good work. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nomad 0 Report post Posted August 17, 2006 Great photos, looks like your on a new career path Graham. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
madkasel 0 Report post Posted August 17, 2006 Absolutely remarkable. The closeup of its back is stunning. Wow. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Graham 0 Report post Posted August 17, 2006 Wow, thank you guys, my face feels a bit warm and flushed, you're making me blush. I really don't think my photos are ready to be submitted to magazines, yet.... Seems to me macro shots are a dime a dozen, I need something to set mine apart. Today I hope to go back to the same spot on the L.A. River in Encino, with some other tied flies. I want to capture some cool shots of insect’s interacting with tied flies. Last night I spent an hour working on wings and materials for tying an orange dragonfly. I think I'll be happy when I get shots of real orange dragons messing around with my imitation. I would be happy later today if I can get a shot of an orange dragon grabbing one of the house flies I tied last weekend. I guess I want to do stuff that’s completely different, and my practice time will help to make this work as high quality as possible. I have to say that my Nikon D200 camera makes this so much easier, 10 mp really helps a lot. Cheers, Graham Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Graham 0 Report post Posted August 18, 2006 Well, I just had to go back again today, with some new bait. I actually lost two small flies today, plucked away by a dragonfly, seriously... I took many nice photos of the dragon grabing the fly, so I had to try my luck with something bigger... The attacks were savage, ripping at the wings.... This really was a lot of fun, Graham Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TerryLee 0 Report post Posted August 18, 2006 That is absolutely amazing :bugeyes: :bugeyes: :bugeyes: Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Graham 0 Report post Posted August 18, 2006 Thank's TerryLee, I noticed the dragonfly seemed to always attack the wings, here he's trying to chew on one, and show he's the boss, on top... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
