Shooting butterflies on Mobile

Shooting butterflies on Mobile

Shooting a butterfly on a mobile can be a tricky task considering the following issues:

1. Mobiles do not have a macro lens (especially 1:1) with a long focal length. This forces the shooter to go in close vicinity of the object which may disturb the butterfly. However in recent times, cameras do come with a macro lens, an adapter can also be added.
2. Mobile cameras do not have decent flash and the sensor. The absence does not capture the stunning colors a butterfly can have.
3. DSLR offers faster shutter speeds and hence needs a dedicated heavier external flash. Faster shutter speed is required when the butterfly is not seating calmly and very much active. For more details check this link - Shooting Southern Birdwing. Macro photography needs a lot many accessories for capturing a stunning shot, the list can be found here.

I have rarely used my mobile camera phone to shoot butterflies. However, while shooting on mobile I felt it handy especially when I am traveling and does not wish to carry the whole camera bag and dedicated lenses.

The following picture is of a small butterfly almost 2cm wide, small size butterflies do not fill the frame and photo needs to be cropped. Cropping is not good with an entry-level mobile camera. When the butterfly is seating on the ground and you need a perfect shot (with a blurry background and the plane of butterfly parallel to mobile) it becomes challenging. Holding a mobile is sometimes an issue.




The following picture is of a mid-size Popinjay butterfly (about 8 cm open wing width, i.e. wingspan), a commoner in the northeastern region of India. The photo is cropped and edited using Snapseed.




The following picture is the example of a low shutter speed problem, controlling which is difficult with mobile. Additionally the focusing issue. While shooting macro, we go too close to the object and end up focusing on the background of the subject. In the photo a common Mormon approaching (courtship) a blue Mormon butterfly near the host plant (lemon).

Same butterfly, Blue Mormon, I shot after a while. Such a clear shot was possible because the butterfly was seating quietly on the branch and its the second largest butterfly found in India.

What sunflowers do !

What sunflowers do !

Oil and water

Oil and water

Setup for Oil and water:

Setting up to capture oil emulsified in the water certainly is fun and creative. With a simple setup explained below gives the opportunity for capturing infinite combinations of colors and patters at home. The philosophy of shoot is similar shooting smoke from scent-stick.

• In a glass bowl/dish, mix equal amount of water and oil
• Keep the bowl/dish at some height. 
• Keep a colorful paper/design with bright colors in the space between the bowl and table
• Use flash to light the background i.e.the colorful paper
• Shoot from top, perpendicular to the plane of the liquid to use least depth of field and maximum shutter speed. Higher depth of field may be avoided.

Tips for better results:

• Use a dedicated macro lens and accessories
• Clean the glassware before use
• Use bright multi-colored paper / design for background. I used magenta bottle for some photos.
• Try different backgrounds
• Keep the water/oil mixture stirring periodically
• Use a strong daylight - setup should be near a window
• Shoot handheld, tripod might be irritating to handle since need to change the composition and place of interest frequently
• However, take advantage of both.
• Try using design on the glassware as well instead of simple plan glass
• As always shoot RAW and edit them

Try to shoot from angles

"Oil in water" is different than "bubble of oils in water"

Try glassware with designs

Flowers and Insects - part I

Flowers and Insects - Part I

Bee on a poppy flower

Butterflies at RSP Nursery

Butterflies at RSP Nursery, Rourkela

Common Pierrot

Butterflies at RSP Nursery, Rourkela

Place: RSP Sector 4 Nursery
Date: 21st Feb 2015

Bush Hopper

Open wing Chocolate pansy

Under wing of Chocolate pansy

Common Sailor

Common Crow

Dark Grass Blue

Butterflies cited:

Chocolate Pansy
Peacock Pansy
Lemon Pansy

Lime
Common emigrant
Common Mormon
Blue Mormon
Tailed Jay
Blue Jay

Common Hedge Blue
Psyche
Common Pierrot
Pea Blue
Dark Grass Blue
Monkey Puzzle
Plain Tiger
Blue/Glassy Tiger
Common Crow
Great Egg fly
Common Palmfly
Commander
Common Sailer

Giant red Eye
White Snow Flat
Bush Hopper

Charming poppies

Charming poppies

Some charming and vibrant poppy flower macros captured in RSP Nursery along with the honeybees and other insects. 

The common poppy is a wild flower and has been a symbol of death and rebirth due its vibrant red color. It is worn in many countries on Remembrance Day in order to commemorate those who lost their lives during warfare (Trench warfare which took place in the poppy fields of Flanders)

Poppies are herbaceous plants, often grown for their colorful flowers. subfamily: Papaveroideae and family: Papaveraceae. The petals are showy, may be of almost any color and some have markings.

The flowers have 4 to 6 petals, many stamens forming a conspicuous whorl in the center of the flower.

One species of poppy, Papaver somniferum, produces edible seeds and is also the source of the crude drug opium which contains powerful medicinal alkaloids such as morphine and has been used since ancient times as ananalgesic and a source of narcotic, medicinal and recreational drugs. It is grown in eastern and southern Asia, and South Eastern Europe.

The bees are mad after the poppy flower. Many bees simultaneously sucks the nectar from a single flower and flower uses bee to spread pollen.

Poppies can be over 4 feet tall with flowers up to six inches across. Poppies are in full bloom late spring to early summer.

Reference:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poppy
http://www.flowersofindia.net/risearch/search.php?query=poppy&stpos=0&stype=AND

RSP Nursery at sector 4, Rourkela

RSP Nursery at sector 4, Rourkela

Nursery at Sector-4 is run and maintained by RSP. It cultivates variety of flower plants available to public for buy. 

Nursery can supply large variety of garden flowers specially during winter season. Cost of well grown plants are quite affordable.

Numerous kinds of roses are planted in the garden. Staples are available at a small price.

Dew drops at sharp ends of the rose leaf.

Variety of flowers at nursery is unparallel opportunity for photographers to come and shoot. No disturbance at all. Don't forget to take permission from Mr. Swain, who is in-charge of the nursery. In Picture: Mr. Satwinder Singh

Cosmos comes in multiple colors: Violet, Magenta, White. Even in black and white with backlit light, flower is quite attractive. 

Psyche. Some butterflies were also spotted. List include: Common Sailor, Common Lascar, Common Bush brown, Common Evening Brown, Common Crow, Lime, Psyche

Location:

Timings:

Morning 7.30 to 11.30
Monday closed for sale
No entry fee