Word of wisdom and the first installation on how to photograph a butterfly

I came up with something today on the bus back from Toa Payoh Town park. Don't asked me why, because I don't really know why. Perhaps, reflecting on some of the usual excuses some photographers make when you comment that it should have shot a certain subject from the other side or maybe to go down lower to get a better in focus subject. So with that in mind, I came up with these words.. keke

"You are the determinant between a good and bad shot, after that, you can blame it on your equipments"

Considering the effort one makes when you push the shutter, people tend to fire freely since we are in the digital era, without having to develop films, we lost the ability to properly compose a photo before pushing the shutter. I'm guilty of some trigger happy incidents myself, not because I shoot everything that is anything but rather shooting for keepers. Since my accident, my skill level has dropped drastically. When I used to a one shot, one kill routine, but now, I lose that touch and getting more out of focus photos. I, personally feel that each one of us can determine how each shot will come out, before we fire away, we should always think about what we what to achieve.

Here are some of my consideration when photographing butterflies, I will break down in several posting, each post will talk about 1 topic. Do remember I always use an external flash, either for filling in the lights or brightening the background and subject.

1) choose a good background

A cluttered background 'steals' attraction from the subject, if you have to shoot, would you prefer something of a nicer background (example, smooth green background). Likewise, what background we intend to achieve also depend alot on the subject, if the subject is dark, then having a background equally dark wouldn't bring out the subject. So, naturally, the easiest way is by contrast, a white subject with a dark BG or a dark subject with a light BG usually works. But there are certain situation like white subject on green BG still works as well. I, personally like pastel colours for my shots, so sometimes, instead of a all green background, I add a out of focus flower in the background, it adds to the composition and makes the background a much interesting addition to the photo. But avoid highlights or hotspots, these always draw attraction away from the subject, same as in a cluttered background, depending on the severity of it, you derive the same distraction.

Having the right background usually is the breaker of all photographs. Sometimes, we need to do alittle abit of housekeeping, removing unsightly twigs, leaves or branches in the way. Having a small swiss knife with you is quite handy at times. But of cause, please do so discreetly, especially when you are in a nature reserve or a park, you wouldn't want to end up getting summon for break a twig or a branch or seen trampling on a row of plants. Over the years, I have seen some neat methods used, like using strings to tie branches that is in the way. There are clamps sold commercially for such purpose as well, but they are abit pricey. I found some clamps in the popular bookshop in Bras Basah, which I think get the job done. But sadly, I never tried using them.

Other ways to achieve a better background, includes having fixed a 'background' behind the subject. This proves difficult, especially when the subject is skittish. So, I suggest taking a couple of shots before you decide to do something stupid. Muhahaha... So far, we have found that a towel or a large leaf comes in handy for a background. Unlike, those who shoots in the studio, or in a controlled environment, we sometimes trek a distance, so what we carry along for our outing is kept to the minimal.

Now on how your aperture can affect your background. Remember the bigger the aperture, it blur-er the background gets. (example a background shot at F5.6 has a blurrier image than compared to the same shot at F11) But do remember about the depth of focus, at a given distance + the length of the lens, (the closer you are to the subject, the thinner the DOF will be). For those who don't know what DOF means, it is the depth/area in which everything within this depth/area is in focus. For butterflies, I do suggest at least using a F8 to F11 (that's the sweet spot for my Tamron 180 macro), only at certain situation do you require a blurrier background, this is when you choose a bigger aperture (a small F-stop). Do read up on DOF.

Apart from aperture settings, there is the shutter speed consideration. If you are still learning about your camera, always take a shot, preview and adjust your settings. My main shooting mode is always set to Manual, this allows me to adjust each component separately.

I notice most photographer tend to get harsh lighting on their subject during low light environment. This can be corrected, either adjusting to a lower shutter speed or increasing the ISO speed. (note that you have to compensate for your flash as well). A slower shutter speed allows more light to be capture, hence a brighter background. I don't entirely believe the metering on my camera, so preview a shot is always a good practice, although I don't practise that anymore. How do one know if the lighting on the flash is too harsh on the subject? My practise is, look at the shot, if the lighting on the subject is overpowering or over-lighting the background, then I would say the lighting is too harsh. I have heard photographers using an secondary flash unit to brighten the background, again this is not always possible. Unlike subject that doesn't move much, butterflies on the other hand doesn't always stay at one position. Sometimes, we do not get much opportunity to do such setup. Alternatively, use a bounce card, it can help brighten the background.

Background is really up to each individual preferences, as long as you can convince yourself that you made a good choice, then stick to that decision.

here are some pix I took at TPTP

Wet day today

It's raining cats and dogs outside, luckily, I decided not to attend the outing at Pasir ris park this morning. Will be a whammer to travel all the way there and not doing any photography due to the sucky weather. Aedas is organising some dragon boat activity at the end of the month, giving me some opportunity to do some photography, should be fun. Work as usual is busy busy busy, nothing much happening for the last few days, as long as nothing fails, my job will be smooth sailing :)

As for my legal case, still awaiting the report from JB, taking too long, really hate the waiting, because everything is riding on that report and nothing can be done without it. Yesterday, I got to see a plastic surgeon for my disfigured tummy, according to the doc, it is not a simple operation, because of the hernia and developed after the first operation, it is uncertain what they did inside me, possibly screw up. Hernia is a bulge developed when there is a previous surgery done on my tummy, the weakened tissue/muscle/stomach wall tears up, allowing my gut to protude through. After some reading up, it is called Incisional hernia, the surgeon suggest I go for more test to determine the condition of my digestive system. He basically gave me 2 options, having the hernia untouch, just removing the skin layer on it, push it back into the stomach cavity and pulling my stomach muscles together and stitiching it up. The other way, will be cutting me open, rearrange the organs and make sure they are not tangled together. My guess is if the latter is chosen, I will be lying in bed for 1 to 2 weeks without food again, but as long as they leave my digestive organs intact, then it will surely be fine. For me, I'm ready to go under the knife again, being at this state for almost 2 years. I just want to get on with my normal life, just another wishful thinking on my part. Don't think it will change anything for me, just trying to make things better, is good enough for me. Also, I'm thinking of giving up smoking for good, so decided to take the opportunity for my next surgery to get it done. Prior to my surgery, I intend to cut down on my sticks. Unlike previously, I didn't had any withdrawn syptoms, simply because after the first operation, I was drugged for a few days straight and after an experience like that, smoking would be the last thing on my mind.

Since my last posting, I decided to increase my photography outings, my back is holding up really good. My next appointment at NUH is scheduled on my birthday. Tomorrow marks the 2nd year after my accident. Time flies, perhaps a good thingy. Only time can heal my wound and memories of it.

time for some pix again

enjoy

SS