Summer Scenes: Buzzing Around

Photographer Frank Mercuri managed to snap a few shots of these little buggers over at Caleb Smith Park.

Pertaining to the photos of the dragonflies, Mercuri offer these tips.

• Don’t be afraid of them

• Macro photography need not be mounted on a tripod if the lens and camera used has anti-shake and you shoot as you would a pistol, secure and steady.
• Use a tripod when necessary to photograph still life. Unless the object is still, a moving object such as dragonflies makes the tripod useless. You have to be on your toes and follow the object and be ready to spot another if one flies away.

• Use a camera mounted with a variable zoom lens such as 70-300 mm AF with a macro to infinity setting. The longer lens gives one the ability to have the object framed at a further distance from the object as well as putting unwanted background out of focus to enhance the object.

• If the camera has the ability to see through the lens with a viewing screen, it would be more difficult to do macro for moving objects such as dragonflies and bees than using the viewfinder. Mercuri says he uses the viewfinder at all times.
• When photographing a moving object use the action with multiple frame setting and follow the subject with it in the center of the finder with the focusing square or dot on the moving subject.
• If the camera has a sharpness setting make sure the camera is set to the sharper setting.
• Have patience. Don’t rush to take the picture. The object may fly away; it will return when you are settled. Some animals won’t be bothered by humans, especially if humans are always around
• If you have Photoshop the photo can be adjusted. Use Photoshop to sharpen the picture, only if it is already in focus or to correct color, do not use it to make a vibrant unrealistic color. Mercuri says he likes the environment the animal is in to be natural looking.
• Take as many shots as possible and pick the best.

Do you have some summer scenes you would like to share? Send them to jennifer.sloat@patch.com