Create an insect-
friendly garden
BY MAKING your garden insect-friendly, you will not only
help wildlife, but your photography will benefi t too. Begin by
leaving a small area of lawn uncut – longer grass is important
for insects. Fill borders with fl owering plants and shrubs that
will provide nectar – lavender, buddleia, honeysuckle,
sunfl owers and cosmos will not only attract insects, but they
are colourful and photogenic too. Think carefully about where
you plant fl owers – try to site them in positions where they
will receive good light throughout the day. Consider their
background too – the more thought you put in at the planting
stage, the easier it will be to take good insect shots later.
Avoid using pesticides and, if possible, create woodpiles or a
composter for little critters to live and feed. Good luck!MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY Technique
5 Pond life
Water will always attract wildlife.
Even a small garden pond or
water feature will entice pond
skaters, damselfl ies and
dragonfl ies. If you don’t already
have one, consider building a
small pond. Buy a preformed
pond, made from durable plastic,
and sink it into the ground, or use
a heavy-duty membrane. You
could even use an old sink. Add
native aquatic plants as well as
reeds and lilies for insects to cling
to. Damsels and dragons are
among the most beautiful garden
insects – and a personal favourite.
During the day, dragonfl ies will
dart about but – being territorial
- you may notice them returning
to the same perch again and
again. If so, stay close by with
your camera ready to slowly move
into position. Damselfl ies are
smaller and will land more
regularly on stems and grasses
close to the water. Approach
slowly; being careful not cast your
shadow across the subject, as
doing so will alert it. Ensure your
focus is sharply on your subject’s
disproportionately large eyes.
Small pearl-bordered fritillary butterflies on oxeye daisies
Nikon D810, 200mm, 1/1600sec at f/6.3, ISO 1000Buff-tailed bumble bee in flight
Nikon D300, 150mm, 1/2500sec at f/4, ISO 200