Hints for Close-up Nature Photography

GENERAL

1. Be patient

2 Know your subjects and read up.

3. Search out the best places for your subjects.

4. Take classes from knowledgeable professional photographers.

5. Read books by photographers whose work you admire.

6. Use good equipment and film.

7. Have your film developed at a good photo lab.

8. Take good care of your images.

9. Use a tripod where appropriate.

10. Frame your photos for the purpose they are intended.

11. Take multiple images of the same subject using both vertical and horizontal formats, different exposures, and image magnification.

BUTTERFLY CLOSE-UP PHOTOGRAPHY

1. Decide whether you wish to use a 35mm single lens reflex camera, digital camera, or digital videography.

2. Purchase good equipment with macro capability or purchase a macro lens.

3. Use good film. We recommend Fuji Provia or Velvia, ASA 100, but Kodak Ectachrome is also good.

4. Practice with your equipment at home with small objects at various distances and exposures.

5. Read about where to find your local butterflies.

6. Go to a good place for butterflies.

7. Learn when butterflies are approachable for photographic purposes.

a. When basking early in the morning.

b. When nectaring at flowers or feeding at other food sources.

c. When mating.

d. When emerging from chrysalids.

e. Males when perching to await females.

8. Approach butterflies very slowly and lightly, and prevent your shadow from falling on the butterfly.

9. Keep a low profile as you approach the butterfly.

10. Butterfly images usually look best when taken at the same level as the insect. For example, for butterfly perched on the ground or at moisture you may have to lie flat on the ground and inch slowly toward your quarry.

11. Wear comfortable neutral clothing. Bright colors and strong patterns may frighten some butterflies.

12. Avoid using electronic flash except under very dark circumstance, but if using flash have the flash come toward the front end of the insect.

13. Always make sure that at least the head is in sharp focus.

14. Take multiple exposures of each subject at different angles, magnification, and vertical/horizontal.

15. Butterflies move frequently so you may not be able to use a tripod. Instead, practice using your body as a tripod to stabilize your exposures.

GOOD BOOKS ON PHOTOGRAPHY

Digital Video for Dummies by Martin Doucette

Digital Photography for Dummies by Julie King

Essentials of Digital Photography by Kasai et al.

Photography edited by Barbara London

National Geographic Field Guide: Secrets to Making Good Pictures by Burian and Caputo

Photography for Dummies by Hart and Richards

John Shaw's Closeups in Nature by John Shaw

Nature Photographer's Complete Guide to Professional Field Techniques by John Shaw

The Essentials of Nature Photography by Milton Heiberg

PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT

Nikon Coolpix 800 Digital Camera

Sony DCR-TRV103 Handycam Digital Camcorder

More information to be added [in constrruction]

For more information:

E-mail to paulevi@webaccess.net
or write to Paul and Evi Nature Photography
P.O. Box 2227
Loveland, CO 80539-2227
USA

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last updated: Saturday, 19 February 2000 13:52:39 MDT