DSLRUsers.com

A discussion forum - and more - for users of Digital Single Lens Reflex cameras.

Skip to content

Dragonflies

Got a thin skin? Then look elsewhere. Post a link to an image that you've made, and invite others to offer their critiques. Honesty is encouraged, but please be positive in your constructive criticism. Flaming and just plain nastiness will not be tolerated. Please note that this is not an area for you to showcase your images, nor is this a place for you to show-off where you have been. This is an area for you to post images so that you may share with us a technique that you have mastered, or are trying to master. Typically, no more than about four images should be posted in any one post or thread, and the maximum size of any side of any image should not exceed 950 px.

Moderators: Greg B, Nnnnsic, Geoff, Glen, gstark, Moderators

Forum rules
Please note that image critiquing is a matter of give and take: if you post images for critique, and you then expect to receive criticism, then it is also reasonable, fair and appropriate that, in return, you post your critique of the images of other members here as a matter of courtesy. So please do offer your critique of the images of others; your opinion is important, and will help everyone here enjoy their visit to far greater extent.

Also please note that, unless you state something to the contrary, other members might attempt to repost your image with their own post processing applied. We see this as an acceptable form of critique, but should you prefer that others not modify your work, this is perfectly ok, and you should state this, either within your post, or within your signature.

Images posted here should conform with the general forum guidelines. Image sizes should not exceed 950 pixels along the largest side (height or width) and typically no more than four images per post or thread.

Please also ensure that you have a meaningful location included in your profile. Please refer to the FAQ for details of what "meaningful" is.
Write comments

Dragonflies

Postby Mj on Fri Jan 07, 2005 1:27 pm

Ok here's the start of a love/hate relationship with dragonflies.
Thought it might be fun to challenge myself with a small nibble target.
Plenty of hit and miss going on but here's one gotcha managed so far... I can see I have plenty of scope for improvement and some faster glass would certainly be of assistance, but I'd like to see just what I can achieve with what I have first. This shoot is taken handheld, 70-300ED glass, focal length 300, f/7.1, ISO 800, iTTL flash -1.7, 1/500 shutter.
Then cropped, a little noise reduction in NC, and a small amount of USM.

Had the ISO up (and forgotten about) whilst trying without flash, next attempt I'll dial ISO down and try f/8. Any other suggestions?

Image

Michael.
User avatar
Mj
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1048
Joined: Fri Aug 20, 2004 3:37 pm
Location: Breakfast Point, Sydney {Australia}
Top

Postby stubbsy on Fri Jan 07, 2005 1:49 pm

mj wrote:small nibble target

Couldn't resist...

Guess you'd have to say it's a pretty tasty pic :D

Humour aside - great shot - I've found shooting continuous mode helps with shots like these - is this waht you did?
Peter
Disclaimer: I know nothing about anything.
*** smugmug galleries: http://www.stubbsy.smugmug.com ***
User avatar
stubbsy
Moderator
 
Posts: 10748
Joined: Wed Dec 08, 2004 7:44 pm
Location: Newcastle NSW - D700
Top

Postby Glen on Fri Jan 07, 2005 1:54 pm

Good capture, MJ
User avatar
Glen
Moderator
 
Posts: 11819
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2004 3:14 pm
Location: Sydney - Neutral Bay - Nikon
Top

Postby Flyer on Fri Jan 07, 2005 2:11 pm

Well done.
I chased one dragonfly in my yard once - way too quick for me.
Any tips?
Cheers.
User avatar
Flyer
Member
 
Posts: 198
Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2004 11:38 pm
Location: Newcastle,NSW Nikon D200
Top

Postby sirhc55 on Fri Jan 07, 2005 2:14 pm

Mj do you have a link to the photo as it is not showing up for me

Chris
Chris
--------------------------------
I started my life with nothing and I’ve still got most of it left
User avatar
sirhc55
Key Member
 
Posts: 12930
Joined: Fri Sep 17, 2004 6:57 pm
Location: Port Macquarie - Olympus EM-10
Top

Postby HappyFotographer on Fri Jan 07, 2005 2:18 pm

You usually see shots of these little blighters stationary.....so this one flying was a nice surprise.

Can't offer any advice, except to say I am looking forward to any others you may post.
User avatar
HappyFotographer
Member
 
Posts: 392
Joined: Mon Jan 03, 2005 4:58 pm
Location: Mnt Riverview Blue Mountains - Nikon D70
Top

Postby Glen on Fri Jan 07, 2005 2:26 pm

Chris not showing up for me either, I got this url by rightclicking (not an option on your system)

http://www.darwinonline.org/albums/user ... gonfly.jpg

relates to post about Darwin Online
User avatar
Glen
Moderator
 
Posts: 11819
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2004 3:14 pm
Location: Sydney - Neutral Bay - Nikon
Top

Postby W00DY on Fri Jan 07, 2005 2:37 pm

It is a great start to your experiment...

Looking forward to what you can produce in thime to come.

W00DY
Andrew
Nikon D3 and lot's of Nikon stuff!!
User avatar
W00DY
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1541
Joined: Wed Aug 18, 2004 6:44 pm
Location: Sydney - Hills District
Top

Postby xerubus on Fri Jan 07, 2005 3:00 pm

Glen wrote:Chris not showing up for me either, I got this url by rightclicking (not an option on your system)

http://www.darwinonline.org/albums/user ... gonfly.jpg

relates to post about Darwin Online


hmmm... even that link doesn't work for me... comes up forbidden, permission denied...
http://www.markcrossphotography.com - A camera, glass, and some light.
User avatar
xerubus
Senior Member
 
Posts: 2740
Joined: Fri Oct 22, 2004 3:33 pm
Location: Nth Brisbane
Top

Postby Manta on Fri Jan 07, 2005 3:18 pm

xerubus wrote:hmmm... even that link doesn't work for me... comes up forbidden, permission denied...


Same for me. I took some dragonfly shots myself a few days ago so I'm REALLY keen to see this pic!! :cry:
User avatar
Manta
Former Outstanding Member Of The Year
 
Posts: 3815
Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2004 10:49 pm
Location: Hamilton Qld
Top

Postby sirhc55 on Fri Jan 07, 2005 3:20 pm

xerubus wrote:
Glen wrote:Chris not showing up for me either, I got this url by rightclicking (not an option on your system)

http://www.darwinonline.org/albums/user ... gonfly.jpg

relates to post about Darwin Online


hmmm... even that link doesn't work for me... comes up forbidden, permission denied...


Same here

Chris
Chris
--------------------------------
I started my life with nothing and I’ve still got most of it left
User avatar
sirhc55
Key Member
 
Posts: 12930
Joined: Fri Sep 17, 2004 6:57 pm
Location: Port Macquarie - Olympus EM-10
Top

Postby W00DY on Fri Jan 07, 2005 3:26 pm

Could be time for all Darwin Online members to upgrade to SmugMug :wink:

W00DY
Andrew
Nikon D3 and lot's of Nikon stuff!!
User avatar
W00DY
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1541
Joined: Wed Aug 18, 2004 6:44 pm
Location: Sydney - Hills District
Top

Postby leek on Fri Jan 07, 2005 3:41 pm

I think the darwinonline site is blocking direct links from other sites. Try cut-paste of the link above straight into a fresh browser window and it should work - did for me...
User avatar
leek
Senior Member
 
Posts: 3135
Joined: Thu Dec 23, 2004 4:46 pm
Location: Lane Cove, Sydney
Top

Postby Kristine on Fri Jan 07, 2005 4:30 pm

W00DY wrote:Could be time for all Darwin Online members to upgrade to SmugMug :wink:

W00DY


Go to PixSpot and get free image hosting :-)
Kristine
Member
 
Posts: 211
Joined: Fri Oct 29, 2004 7:02 pm
Location: Western Australia
Top

Postby Glen on Fri Jan 07, 2005 4:42 pm

I'm a http://www.pixspot.com beleiver. Everything sorted, works well, provided by one of our very own members, Kristine, and the price is right for forum members, free. :D

It is worth my membership fee here at D70users.com just for the free image hosting. Now Woody, you're not paying for image hosting are you? That money could be better used for lens lust or Tsunami victims :idea:
User avatar
Glen
Moderator
 
Posts: 11819
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2004 3:14 pm
Location: Sydney - Neutral Bay - Nikon
Top

Postby sirhc55 on Fri Jan 07, 2005 4:46 pm

Glen it really looks as if you heading for 1000 posts pre-Thailand :wink:

Chris
Chris
--------------------------------
I started my life with nothing and I’ve still got most of it left
User avatar
sirhc55
Key Member
 
Posts: 12930
Joined: Fri Sep 17, 2004 6:57 pm
Location: Port Macquarie - Olympus EM-10
Top

Postby jonnydee on Fri Jan 07, 2005 4:47 pm

Well done! I was trying to do the same a couple of days ago and couldn't get anywhere near. Were you panning to follow the flight, or waiting until they pause in the air?
User avatar
jonnydee
Member
 
Posts: 95
Joined: Mon Jan 03, 2005 1:45 pm
Location: Northern Beaches, Sydney
Top

Postby sirhc55 on Fri Jan 07, 2005 4:53 pm

Finally got to see the image - well done nicely caught.

Basically what is required is patience, a VR lens and a VR dragonfly :roll:

Chris
Chris
--------------------------------
I started my life with nothing and I’ve still got most of it left
User avatar
sirhc55
Key Member
 
Posts: 12930
Joined: Fri Sep 17, 2004 6:57 pm
Location: Port Macquarie - Olympus EM-10
Top

Postby Mj on Fri Jan 07, 2005 7:27 pm

mmm... been out this afternoon and just got to read these posts... clearly the site I'm posting to is unreliable so quick smart I wil apply to kristine for a pixspot account... can't go wrong for the price and I believe the host knows what their doing... bear with me and I'll get that pic and others available for your entertainment critic and amusement !!!

Michael.
User avatar
Mj
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1048
Joined: Fri Aug 20, 2004 3:37 pm
Location: Breakfast Point, Sydney {Australia}
Top

Postby Mj on Fri Jan 07, 2005 7:47 pm

stubbsy wrote:Humour aside - great shot - I've found shooting continuous mode helps with shots like these - is this waht you did?


Indeed that is exactly what I did... once focus is locked on I wanted to get as many shots off quick smart in the hope that I might get one keeper.

Certainly not there yet... plently of experimentation yet to do, and might end up deciding that a visit to the Birdie cave of treasure is required, but not prepared to give up yet.

Seems that my hosting arrangements are suspect so the first taks will be to fix that!!!

Michael.
User avatar
Mj
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1048
Joined: Fri Aug 20, 2004 3:37 pm
Location: Breakfast Point, Sydney {Australia}
Top

Postby PlatinumWeaver on Fri Jan 07, 2005 8:12 pm

Am I the only one that still cant see the picture?
PlatinumWeaver / Dean
Asking the Stupid Questions
<a href="http://www.platinumweaver.net/" alt="PlatinumWeaver Homepage">http://www.platinumweaver.net/</a>
PlatinumWeaver
Member
 
Posts: 498
Joined: Thu Nov 04, 2004 3:43 pm
Location: Melbourne, VIC
Top

Postby Mj on Fri Jan 07, 2005 8:26 pm

Ok... looks like the hosting I was using is stuffed... time for a change care of Kristine and Pixspot...

My dragonflies will now be found here... Image

Only one to start and each morning I hope to do at least one more till I can nail the buggers !!!

Any constructive suggestions (within the intended constraints e.g. the dragonfly must be in flight) are most welcome.

Michael.
User avatar
Mj
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1048
Joined: Fri Aug 20, 2004 3:37 pm
Location: Breakfast Point, Sydney {Australia}
Top

Postby Mj on Fri Jan 07, 2005 8:29 pm

Manta wrote:Same for me. I took some dragonfly shots myself a few days ago so I'm REALLY keen to see this pic!! :cry:


Manta... I would be very keen to see your dragonfly pics... is always useful to compare technique... success and failure !!!
User avatar
Mj
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1048
Joined: Fri Aug 20, 2004 3:37 pm
Location: Breakfast Point, Sydney {Australia}
Top

Postby petal666 on Fri Jan 07, 2005 8:50 pm

I managed to get some images of a nice dragonfly the other day but it was sitting on a plant.

[url=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/petal666/General/IMG_8565.jpg]
Image
80kb[/url]

100% crop of the eyes
[url=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v313/petal666/General/IMG_8565_Crop.jpg]
Image
120kb[/url]

Taken with 10D and Sigma 180mm macro
Canon 1D III
User avatar
petal666
Senior Member
 
Posts: 737
Joined: Thu Sep 16, 2004 7:17 am
Location: Toowng QLD - 1D III
Top

Postby Mj on Fri Jan 07, 2005 9:28 pm

Nice dragonfly petal... so what were the photo specs???
I realise your's wasn't in flight but still might be useful to know more about your shot settings.

Michael.
User avatar
Mj
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1048
Joined: Fri Aug 20, 2004 3:37 pm
Location: Breakfast Point, Sydney {Australia}
Top

Postby petal666 on Fri Jan 07, 2005 9:32 pm

Because I was using a macro lens I had the camera in Aperature priority mode at f14 and a shutter speed of 1/200s and was using a flash to give me enough light.
Canon 1D III
User avatar
petal666
Senior Member
 
Posts: 737
Joined: Thu Sep 16, 2004 7:17 am
Location: Toowng QLD - 1D III
Top

Postby sirhc55 on Fri Jan 07, 2005 9:35 pm

petal666 wrote:Because I was using a macro lens I had the camera in Aperature priority mode at f14 and a shutter speed of 1/200s and was using a flash to give me enough light.


Nice pics petal666 - there are lots of pics listed on the net of dragonflies and most of them are, as yours, sitting on a branch or whatever. Trying to photograph them flying is so much harder. But congrats to both you and Mj for attempting these flighty little creatures

Chris
Chris
--------------------------------
I started my life with nothing and I’ve still got most of it left
User avatar
sirhc55
Key Member
 
Posts: 12930
Joined: Fri Sep 17, 2004 6:57 pm
Location: Port Macquarie - Olympus EM-10
Top

Postby pippin88 on Fri Jan 07, 2005 10:16 pm

Glen wrote:I'm a http://www.pixspot.com beleiver. Everything sorted, works well, provided by one of our very own members, Kristine, and the price is right for forum members, free. :D

It is worth my membership fee here at D70users.com just for the free image hosting. Now Woody, you're not paying for image hosting are you? That money could be better used for lens lust or Tsunami victims :idea:

Thanks for the site, looks very handy.
User avatar
pippin88
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1107
Joined: Thu Jan 06, 2005 6:42 pm
Location: Newcastle / Sydney
Top

Postby W00DY on Fri Jan 07, 2005 10:25 pm

Glen wrote: Now Woody, you're not paying for image hosting are you? That money could be better used for lens lust or Tsunami victims :idea:


Yeah I am paying :(

I set it all up before our very own wonderful Kristine mentioned PixSpot.

Trouble now is all our friends and family now the SmugMug page. But don't worry I will be transferring over once my 1st year is up (I have already paid).

I also plan to donate $100 to World Vision for SEA. Just waiting until I get paid next week :D

Seeya tomorrow.
Andrew
Nikon D3 and lot's of Nikon stuff!!
User avatar
W00DY
Senior Member
 
Posts: 1541
Joined: Wed Aug 18, 2004 6:44 pm
Location: Sydney - Hills District
Top

Postby Manta on Sat Jan 08, 2005 12:03 am

Mj wrote:Manta... I would be very keen to see your dragonfly pics... is always useful to compare technique... success and failure !!!


Hopeless effort on my part here but I really learned a lot while I shot off a dozen or so pictures. Used manual focus as 70-300G wasn't anywhere near quick enough. Handheld as well, so there's quite a bit of shake. The dragonfly was about 10m away flitting in and out of some reeds. He was only a little fella - doesn't look like the same species as the one in Mj's brilliant shot.

Image
User avatar
Manta
Former Outstanding Member Of The Year
 
Posts: 3815
Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2004 10:49 pm
Location: Hamilton Qld
Top
Write comments

Return to Image Reviews and Critiques
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
Copyright © 2005 - 2022 Gary Stark


Portal XL 5.0 ~ Plain 0.2