Maria Mazo, PPSA
August 2026 - Dragonfly
Original
About the Image(s)
For this month’s image, I chose this photograph of a dragonfly that I took at the beginning of May, here in a little creek close to home.
EXIF data:
Shutter speed: 1/1250 sec
Aperture: f/7.1
ISO: 640
Camera: Canon R5 Mark II
Lens: Canon 100??“500mm
Handheld
8 comments posted
Maria - This is quite a coincidence. Your photographs have been inspiring me for months to try macrophotography. What are the odds that when I finally upload a macro image, we both upload dragonfly images? If this were fiction, readers would say it's not believable.
Your image is (as usual) gorgeous. I really like the dark background and the sharpness. Is this a single image or did you use bracketing/stacking? Posted: 08/01/2026 19:08:40
Your image is (as usual) gorgeous. I really like the dark background and the sharpness. Is this a single image or did you use bracketing/stacking? Posted: 08/01/2026 19:08:40
Hi Richard,
Thank you for your nice comment. I'm very happy that you find inspiration in my images, and it seems that we are connected in some way through our subconscious.
This was a single shot, as dragonflies aren't very still and are constantly flying from one spot to another, which makes focus stacking quite challenging. Posted: 08/24/2026 13:25:09
Thank you for your nice comment. I'm very happy that you find inspiration in my images, and it seems that we are connected in some way through our subconscious.
This was a single shot, as dragonflies aren't very still and are constantly flying from one spot to another, which makes focus stacking quite challenging. Posted: 08/24/2026 13:25:09
Hello, Maria - your glass-like image of a sapphire blue and emerald green dragonfly resting on a green reed, with the light catching its translucent wings, and the crystal-clear details of the head, especially the eyes, its segmented body is stunning. Between your image and that of Richard's, I am in dragonfly heaven. Posted: 08/06/2026 19:54:09
Hi Maria,
Thank you very much for your wonderful comment. I'm so glad you like the image. Posted: 08/24/2026 14:42:32
Lovely shot Maria - made by the lighting! I don't understand how there was a ry of light just picking out the leaf with this chap on - presumably the shady background was some distance away.
You've taken full advantage of these conditions and positioned yourself perfectly in line with your subject to help with depth of field.
If you're not using this for Nature Exhibition use, if you flip it with the head higher to the right, the image may be 'read' easier. Just a thought. Lovely picture. Posted: 08/08/2026 21:16:45
You've taken full advantage of these conditions and positioned yourself perfectly in line with your subject to help with depth of field.
If you're not using this for Nature Exhibition use, if you flip it with the head higher to the right, the image may be 'read' easier. Just a thought. Lovely picture. Posted: 08/08/2026 21:16:45
Hi Adrian,
Thank you for your nice comment and suggestion. You are right, these dragonflies are usually flying around the leaves that grow along the side of the creek. Early in the morning, the sun only reaches one side of the creek, so I can get shots like this by taking advantage of the dark opposite side and the light falling on the dragonfly.
It creates a lovely contrast that helps the dragonfly stand out. Posted: 08/24/2026 14:47:21
Thank you for your nice comment and suggestion. You are right, these dragonflies are usually flying around the leaves that grow along the side of the creek. Early in the morning, the sun only reaches one side of the creek, so I can get shots like this by taking advantage of the dark opposite side and the light falling on the dragonfly.
It creates a lovely contrast that helps the dragonfly stand out. Posted: 08/24/2026 14:47:21
Maria, image is sharp and nicely contrasty. We have this month the gift of two Damselflies. Dragonflies have 4 wings. I like the shadow created over the green by the strong side light. Posted: 08/23/2026 00:38:00
Hi Isaac,
Thank you for educating me! I've been calling them dragonflies, but I'm sure I'm probably wrong. ????
I explained to Adrian how I took the shot under those particular lighting conditions. I simply took advantage of positioning myself in the right place to make the most of the light and the dark background. Posted: 08/24/2026 14:51:49
Thank you for educating me! I've been calling them dragonflies, but I'm sure I'm probably wrong. ????
I explained to Adrian how I took the shot under those particular lighting conditions. I simply took advantage of positioning myself in the right place to make the most of the light and the dark background. Posted: 08/24/2026 14:51:49