18
4 The early bird
What do they say about the early bird?
When you don’t need to walk any
further than your garden, there is no
excuse not to get up early. Not only will
sunlight be low, soft and warm, but also
insects tend to be inactive when the
temperature is low. Look carefully and
assiduously among grasses, fl owers and
under leaves for roosting, dormant
subjects. After clear, still nights, insects
may be encased with dew, adding
sparkle and interest to your shots.
Having found a subject, you should be
able to take photographs with relative
ease – until the temperature rises, most
insects will remain still. Set up a tripod
close by, being careful not to knock your
subject or disturb surrounding
vegetation. A tripod will provide
welcome stability and allow you to focus
precisely using LiveView.Green lacewing
Nikon D850, 200mm,
1/40sec at f/14, ISO 800Female emperor
dragonfly laying
eggs on a
garden pond
Nikon D7100, 80-400mm,
1/2500sec at f/6.3,
ISO 1000Dock Bug
silhouetted on
bracken
Nikon D850, 200mm,
1/3200sec at f/11, ISO 1250