Insects-a new discovery

Marcel Proust-a French Novelist and Author-once said "Discovery lies not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes".

This is very true, especially as we are are dealing with insects. Discovery-or good photography-does not require a trip into the jungles of the Amazon you can photograph insects right in your own backyard.

Here are some Insects that I recommend, and some ways to find and "capture" these specimens:

Ants

Ants are highly recommended photography subjects-simply because they are everywhere! I can hardly walk outside without seeing them.

As for photographing them I recommend in groups otherwise it is extremely difficult for the camera to focus on such small objects.

When the weather is nice my family and I will often eat lunch outside. Crumbs inevitably find their way to the ground and soon the ants come by the dozens.

This is a good opportunity for ant photography. Though this makes rather charming pictures, in the ant pile is my personal favorite. The ant pile is home to thousands of ants so you won't suffer for lack of subject matter though you may suffer from a more deadly poison. So I recommend having a spray bottle of vinegar on hand.

Dragonflies

These are not as common in an urban environment but we live in a slightly more rural environment so we have one or two dragonflies that stick around. (see sidebar, Insects, Dragonflies) and you never know, maybe there will be some that stick around your yard.

The best trick that I recommend for photographing dragonflies is to get as close as you can with as little movement as you can, and as little noise as you can.

Perhaps you will come across a dragonfly as friendly as the one I did. (Please see An Encounter with a Dragon)

Flies, Gnats, Mosquitoes, and other small Insects

These can also make interesting subjects because they are so small, therefore the detail of these little insects is often unappreciated.

For taking pictures of small Insects I recommend keeping your camera at hand and go outside, generally you don't have to wait very long before little biting insects will start to appear, I generally prefer non-biting flies so I don't have to sit there suffering while I 'm trying to get a good shot of my torturer. But mosquitoes would make an interesting subject-that is if you don't mind getting a few bites. :) However sometimes you might catch a biting insect resting on a wall. That is to be preferred. :)

Beetles

Beetles are also interesting and relatively easy to photograph, they don't bite, are slow moving, and are very common. So they are usually pretty easy to find and photograph.

I recommend going out into the woods (if there is any near your house) after a rain, and find a really moist and humid spot, perhaps under a stump. Just make sure to keep an eye out for snakes, they also find this sort of place to be very accommodating!


Caterpillars

Caterpillars are probably the easiest and safest insects to photograph. If you keep your eye out you just might find one. If you have a garden that would be the first place I 'd look.

Also, a word of warning, though most caterpillars are quite harmless and rather friendly some caterpillars (namely, the colorful ones with long needle-like things sticking out of it's body) so I wouldn't recommend touching them unless you are familiar with the species. However it is not necessary to touch them when photographing them, and caterpillars generally aren't the aggressive type, so you are quite safe.


Hope this helpful,