One-handed and up close

Some people note that it is hard to photograph dragonflies because they fly away when you get too close.

Truth is, they don't; distance doesn't matter much for most species of dragonflies, it is movement that scares them off.

When you move very slowly, or not at all, you are just a part of the landscape to them and they will let you come really close, or even come to you. Take these two photos of a ruby whiteface (Leucorrhinia rubicunda) for instance, and note the focal length:

^{Olympus Stylus 1s, 42mm, ISO200, f5.6, 1/125s}

^{Olympus Stylus 1s, 42mm, ISO200, f5.6, 1/125s}

I didn't move the camera to get two different shots; I moved the dragonfly:

^{Olympus Stylus 1s, 42mm, ISO200, f5.6, 1/160s}

Yes, that close. If you turn yourself into a suitable hunting perch, they will sometimes get even closer:

^{Olympus XZ-1, 112mm, ISO100, f8, 1/160s}

It helps if you can operate your camera with one hand when you try these things 8-).

Thanks for watching!