Drama in a macro shot?

June 10, 2015 by Mike Powell

As a wildlife photographer, I sometimes wonder what it would be like to be a studio photographer. Imagine being able to control the intensity and direction of the light, to choose my own background, to have a responsive subject, and to be able to move around and carefully compose images in my viewfinder. What if there were no wet grass or thorns or mosquitoes or ticks? Perhaps a studio photographer has a sense of control—a wildlife photographer lives in a world of unknowns, never knowing for sure exactly when and how a shooting opportunity will present itself nor how long it will last.

This is the time of the year when I focus my attention and my camera on tiny subjects and dragonflies and damselflies are among my favorites. Some of them are pretty accommodating subjects and will perch and pose, though many are elusive and hard to capture.

I sometimes struggle with the question of how to create cool and dramatic shots of these beautiful little creatures. How do I capture then in action, especially when I am so often using a macro lens and shooting at close range?

I wish I had an answer to these questions, a magical formula that would guarantee great results, but, of course, I don’t. Sometimes, though, things do come together and magic happens. That’s what I felt this past Monday when I was out looking for dragonflies. I was crouched on the wet sand trying to get some shots of a Common Sanddragon dragonfly, when a female Ebony Jewelwing damselfly (Calopteryx maculata) landed a few feet in front of me and began to oviposit in the vegetation at the edge of a small stream.

I was at a good distance to use the 180mm macro lens that I had on my camera. The lighting and background were beautiful. My subject was isolated, but there was enough of the environment in the foreground to give a sense of the location (and the green of the moss was wonderful).

Is it possible to create a dramatic macro action portrait with a two inch (50 mm) subject? For me, it’s rare that I am able to pull it off, but I’d like to suggest that it does happen and offer this image as evidence.

I go out with my camera with the hope that situations like this will arise in the uncontrolled environment in which I like to operate. I live for those moments.

Posted in Dragonflies, Insects, Macro Photography, Nature, Photography, wildlife | Tagged Alexandria VA, Calopteryx maculata, Canon 50D, Ebony Jewelwing, Ebony Jewelwing damselfly, ovipositing, Tamron 180mm macro lens, Wickford Park | 14 Comments

14 Responses

on June 10, 2015 at 8:05 am | Reply Laura (PA Pict)

Lovely photo.
on June 10, 2015 at 8:29 am | Reply judysbirds

Stunning photo, Mike! So clear and crisp.
on June 10, 2015 at 8:38 am | Reply svtakeiteasy

What a stunning shot, Mike. Love the detail in the wings, the pose, the colours. It really did come together for you!
- on June 11, 2015 at 5:08 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Chris. I love shooting with my telephoto lens, but sometimes feel like my best shots come from my macro.
on June 10, 2015 at 9:49 am | Reply Lyle Krahn

I also love it when a plan comes together like this. Wildlife photography is so fundamentally different than the studio. It must attract different personalities.
- on June 11, 2015 at 5:06 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  I’ve been pondering what you said about personality types and I think that you may be on to something, Lyle. In my younger days I used to run marathons and my idea of a fun time was to go out by myself and run for a couple of hours. I move more slowly now and carry a camera, but the solitary outdoor pursuit of a goal is similar.
on June 10, 2015 at 10:19 am | Reply afrenchgarden

Beautiful! Makes all the mosquito bites and scratched arms worth it. Amelia
on June 10, 2015 at 12:32 pm | Reply cihearu - Chronicles of a Bionic Woman

You really got a great shot – lovely details, color and light. And even natural action!
- on June 11, 2015 at 5:03 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks so much.
on June 11, 2015 at 5:36 am | Reply New Hampshire Garden Solutions

I think that is what keeps us going back-the “what ifs.” This is a beautiful shot!
- on June 11, 2015 at 5:40 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Allen. It’s amazing that I can return to the same spots over and over again and still feel a sense of wonder. I pretty certain it is the same for you.
  - on June 11, 2015 at 5:43 am New Hampshire Garden Solutions
    
    Yes, I’ve been to some places hundreds of times and still see something new when I go back.
on June 13, 2015 at 12:56 am | Reply Sue

A really super photo!
- on June 13, 2015 at 6:05 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Sue. It really was a case of being in the right place at the right time. I was already on the little sand edge of the stream at water level when the damselfly arrived and began to oviposit. All I had to do was shift my position and concentrate on shooting.