DIF: Dragonfly in Flight

[Doug Brown]

I took this photo during the summer but was inspired to post it by Jonathan Ashton, who posted a similar image a while back. According to Steve Maxon it's a Darner dragonfly (thanks for the ID help Steve!). I was co-leading a hummingbird photography workshop, and someone laid down a challenge to photograph a dragonfly in flight. I happened to have my 500mm lens, but I decided to have a go at it. This is my favorite frame.

Canon 1Dx, 500mm II, f/5.6, 1/2500, ISO 1600, manual exposure, hand held

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Doug, 500mm macro :w3. Not easy to capture these guys, as they are always changing direction. Good detail on the head and body, and sharp where it counts. I like the segments of blue on the body.

[Mitch Haimov]

This is a fine dragon flight image, Doug! Compelling subject well back in the frame with excellent detail and DOF, nice light, lovely BG. Impressive to have the entire body + a significant amount of wing sharp, especially at f/5.6. :5

[Norm Dulak]

This is excellent, Doug. The background, colors of the insect and sharpness along the entire length of its body are great. And the blurring of parts of the wing convey a sense of the speed you had to deal with in capturing the image!

[Steve Maxson]

You nailed it, Doug! Your birds-in-flight experience paid off handsomely! Excellent sharpness and background plus pleasing light. Very well done!

[BillTyler]

Spectacular capture! Great sharpness, and an indication of motion in the wings. Congratulations.

Bill

[Jonathan Ashton]

Excellent Doug I see I will have to get my 500mm ready for in flight shots!! Excellent focus and DOF - just out of interest how big is the crop?

[Doug Brown]

Excellent Doug I see I will have to get my 500mm ready for in flight shots!! Excellent focus and DOF - just out of interest how big is the crop?

It's a little more than 40% of horizontal full frame Jonathan.

[Diane Miller]

What they said. Amazing!

[Jonathan Ashton]

40% crop... and still super quality!!