Closeup with a 70-200mm.

[Dean Wilson]

Taking my camera for a walk at a local water feature and caught what 'might' be a Cardinal Meadowhawk (Sympetrum illotum).

• Join to view EXIF data.

 

[DWU2]

Excellent work

 

[TwoWheeler]

So, tell me, how does one maintain an eye for a composition like that, when pursuing something as neurotic and meth-addled as a dragonfly?

Oh, and explain that whole “patience” thing, too.

 

[Dean Wilson]

So, tell me, how does one maintain an eye for a composition like that, when pursuing something as neurotic and meth-addled as a dragonfly?

Oh, and explain that whole “patience” thing, too.

This was a bit difficult, not because of the erratic behavior of the dragonfly, but the metal leaf is a water feature piece of art that blows in the wind. It was moving up and down which may have been better than if it was moving back and forth.

I come from the film day's and cannot "spray and pray" because film cost too much to waste on a bunch of out-of-focus photos!

When you can take the pebble from my hand, you will have obtained patience.

And another one since you asked so politely. Different structure; different dragonfly.

• Join to view EXIF data.

 

[Bucolic Old Sir Henry]

So, tell me, how does one maintain an eye for a composition like that, when pursuing something as neurotic and meth-addled as a dragonfly?

You may not be looking for a serious answer , but the dragonflies on our garden pond tend to follow fairly regular flight paths, with places where they hover briefly before moving on. If you spend a little time (patience, grasshopper), you can often work out where to position yourself to get the best chance of a few keepers. It varies a lot from day to day, with weather, wind direction and other things all playing a part.

Although they are easiest to photograph and frame in a shot when resting, you can also do it when they're in flight. With luck.

 

[Bucolic Old Sir Henry]

Here's a little reminder of last summer. Procordulia grayi/yellow spotted dragonfly hovering above a part of our pond. I particularly like the way the 100-500 renders the out-of-focus ripples on the pond surface. One observation: the longer the focal length you use, the harder it is to track the little buggers. 200mm is something of a sweet spot for me, providing that I can get close enough.

• Join to view EXIF data.

 

[TwoWheeler]

This was a bit difficult, not because of the erratic behavior of the dragonfly, but the metal leaf is a water feature piece of art that blows in the wind. It was moving up and down which may have been better than if it was moving back and forth.

Freakin' overachiever.

I come from the film day's and cannot "spray and pray" because film cost too much to waste on a bunch of out-of-focus photos!

I come from the film era too, but gave that nonsense up until "digital spray and pray, crop the hell out of it and fix it in post" came along. I ask because just by co-inky-dink I was attempting to shoot some damselflies just last weekend and this was the best I could do - "bug on a stick".

• Join to view EXIF data.

And another one since you asked so politely. Different structure; different dragonfly.

That's good too, but the first one is a real winner - simple, minimalist composition, clean background and the really cool shadow. I wouldn't have time to parse all that out until about an hour after the dragonfly had moved on.

You may not be looking for a serious answer , but the dragonflies on our garden pond tend to follow fairly regular flight paths, with places where they hover briefly before moving on.

They typically hunt from a perch, too and return to the same spot. Is that where I put the super glue?

If you spend a little time (patience, grasshopper), you can often work out where to position yourself to get the best chance of a few keepers.

This, this right here is why I stick to photographing inanimate objects.

One observation: the longer the focal length you use, the harder it is to track the little buggers.

I have countless images of bird butts, as they're exiting the frame....