Gordon Watson, PPSA
July 2025 - Damselfly
About the Image(s)
This month's image is a straight forward nature shot. I have finally bought myself a macro lens, so my wife and I visited a local nature reserve to go 'bug hunting'. This damselfly is a focus stack of 20 images, hand held, peering through the undergrowth. Damselflys are sensitive to movement, so you have to creep up on them very slowly. Usually they fly away just as you get them framed, but very occasionally you get a good'un! Technical details: Canon EOSR5, Canon RF 100mm F2.8 Macro lens at F3.5, 1/1000s, ISO640. 20 focus stacked images.
10 comments posted
Macro and focus stacking. Yet more to study and learn. That's what's so great about photography. My next effort is going to be lightning with MIOPS, on a photography workshop at the Grand Canyon. We were to stay on the North Rim. I digress. Beautiful shot, full of color and detail. Posted: 07/17/2025 19:00:28
Thanks Sanford. Enjoy your MIOPS workshop. I visited the South Rim years ago when I was taking slides - perhaps I should go back. Posted: 07/28/2025 14:09:08
Gordon, you have very steady hands, and there must not have been a whisper of wind! Excellent image all around. I have a 90mm macro lens and have enjoyed nature shots with it. Haven't made the jump to insects yet, except bees on flowers. "Concerning taste, there's no dispute," said the old lady as she kissed the cow. My dad used to say that to me. It's what makes photography so interesting and challenging: the ability to branch out into niche areas. Very well done and composed image. Posted: 07/18/2025 15:17:28
Thanks Trey. My latest camera now does focus stacking, so I wanted a macro lens to go with that. Now I have the kit, time to experiment. Posted: 07/28/2025 14:10:42
Gordon, I'm really impressed that you did focus stacking handheld. I've done it with the camera on a tripod but not sure I could do 20 images handheld. I can see you now taking the image...elbows at your side, holding the camera tightly against your head, no wind, etc..all the techniques to take stacked images hand-held with bugs that can move at any time. The blurred background is nice because the viewer then focuses on the single stalk and damselfly. I especially like the delicate wings and the fine hairs on the damselfly...just enough sharpness in these areas. A really nice image Gordon. Posted: 07/24/2025 01:04:01
Thanks Henriette. As always you don't get to see the failures. Mostly the damselflys were out of focus, or simply flew away. Posted: 07/28/2025 14:05:03
Gordon, simply superb !!! I wish I took it. Nothing more can be said. Posted: 07/24/2025 02:03:14
Thanks Ian. A number of competitions and exhibitions I enter have nature categories, and these sort of shots are good for those of us who do not go on safari for the big wildlife. Posted: 07/28/2025 14:15:39
Great image Gordon. So very sharp right down to the little fuzz on its head. The blurred background really makes the damselfly stand-out. Nice work with focus stacking. Posted: 07/25/2025 00:21:03
Thanks Jay. That blurred background is what you really want with a macro shot, and it can be difficult when the insects are down in the grass. Just a bit of luck getting one in a good position. Posted: 07/28/2025 14:12:39