Moving things

[Dailydog]

How do you take a macro shot of something that won't sit still (long enough)?

I guess it can't be a matter of just taking a lot of pictures and hoping one comes out good , at least I hope so.

So, can anyone give me some advice on how to try this?

Thanx

Lies

[jiminyClickit]

Dailydog, Welcome

What something are you shooting, and what are you using to shoot?

[Dailydog]

Nikon D70 + NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G

[jiminyClickit]

And bees, birds, grasshoppers - - what?

[wulf]

Wait until it dies?



You can also figure out when the subject is likely to be relatively dormant (eg. cool early mornings) or set up the camera pointing at a place it will visit (eg. a nectar laden flower).

Wulf

[Dailydog]

Sorry. Well, butterflies, dragonflies, beetles,... If I catch them sitting still, they're usually moving by the time I've focussed and steadied my hand.

Wulf: thanks. Perhaps try to attract them with something?

[wulf]

Try to get them in well lit areas (so you can use a fast shutter speed, avoiding the need to steady yourself, and don't have to use a wide aperture with impossibly small DoF) and experiment with preset manual focus. Take a number of shots, moving the camera a little back or forward between each one.

Above all, don't be concerned if you take a lot of shots that fail. You can stack the odds in your favour but you still need a lot of photos to give the best chance of getting a worthwhile result.

Wulf

[Dailydog]

Thanks! I'll try that.