Dragonfly good. Bee BAD - Thoughts?

[PicOlio]

Ok, some said in that other forum (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=86378) I could post... so you're stuck with me now :P

Here's one of my most recent "favorite shots". I almost fell into the pond trying to get it but at least the Dragonfly behaved nicely and allowed me to do so ;)

http://www.picolio.com/Albums/2005/DragonFly_071705c.jpg

Look ok to you? I've only had this camera for a couple of days so I'm still in "how do you use it mode" as opposed to my old digi cam...

And now for my problem shot. I'm REALLY JEALOUS of those that can get bumble bees mid flight so clear as if they are standing still.

My attempts are failing :(

The first scene: Dog vs Bee

http://www.picolio.com/Albums/TestShots/Dog_Bee_Scene.jpg

Same one closeup:

http://www.picolio.com/Albums/TestShots/Dog_Bee_Closeup.jpg

The second scene: Standard Bee Heading to Flower

http://www.picolio.com/Albums/TestShots/Bee_Flower_Scene.jpg

Same one closeup:

http://www.picolio.com/Albums/TestShots/Bee_Flower_Closeup.jpg

I have a blur problem :( The above two shots are the BEST ones I got out of about 20 of them....

I'm not sure how I should adjust the settings in the cam to achieve the goal. Knowing it's not the best cam for moving images like this...but also feeling like I certainly should be able to do better than this with the cam I have.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Thanks!!

[GeForceFX]

you used the S2 IS for these shots right?

The S2 IS is a good P&S camera, but the macroshots you want are veeeeery hard to get with a P&S.
To get a bee sharp in flight you must be able to very quick manual focus and than press shutter.
you can only do that with a (D)SLR and a macrolens


btw, the first picture is really nice

[PicOlio]

So I'm out of luck on those huh.... *pout*

[GeForceFX]

yeah..

a P&S camera has no (or bad and slow) manual focus and to much shutterlag.
you would need alot of luck to get a bee in flight sharp :)
even with a (d)SLR and macro lens it's a hard thing to do (I tried :p)

I just posted a picture btw:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=663931#post663931

[PicOlio]

Well, that really bums me out BUT, I wont stop trying anyway LOL. Luck happens sometimes I guess. Until then, I'll just open up a new coin jar for saving up for the next camera LOL. And keep practicing with things that sit still! At least I've still got the dragonflies :P

And besides... there's still the videos (http://www.picolio.com/Albums/Videos/TimeIsRelative.wmv)... all they need is for me to actually use the tripod that sits here collecting dust LOL

Ok..that's all I can do to make myself feel better so I'll stop now :)

[queenbee288]

Great dragonfly shot, I have the dslr and macro and I have not been able to get the "in flight" shot yet either. When I had a point and shoot (Canon A95)the shutter lag was so bad that I would take a pic of my grandson but I would only have the back of his head and I know a bee moves faster than him ( well maybe not). LOL

Char

[Leorooster]

Deb, the dragonfly is really great. An excellent shot! As for in-flight bee....hmmmm....GeForceFX is right that even with a DSLR and a macro lens, it's still very difficult. But, who knows, you might be able to get one. Again, great job....

Oh, welcome to the forum btw!

[stoneylonesome]

Dragonfly is a fantastic shot, as far as the bee goes, thats a tough one. My only suggestion is to have plenty of light so you can set a fast shutter speed and an fStop around f8 or so so you got good depth of field. Can you manual focus with the S2? if you can try to pick a mid point to focus on and keep your fingers crossed. :lol:

[TammieO]

I had some luck with my Sony F717. I used flash to help stop the motion and manual focused on the flower. I got a side view of the bee so it would be in the same plane as the flower. It took a lot of time waiting, but I think it worked.

http://www.pbase.com/tammie_and_russ/image/35983053

[soupdragon]

You know, that's the first time I've ever seen a drogonfly smiling.

Brilliant:

[Ballen Photo]

That's a VERY good shot of the Dragon Fly. ;) :D
-Bruce

[Bald Eagle]

I agree, the Dragonfly shot is great, keep trying for that motion shot.

[PicOlio]

Well sideways helps a bit...though not as sideways as I would've liked...couldn't get a frontal shot either LOL -- Same problem thus far but not as bad when I'm looking at his rump straight on :p

http://www.picolio.com/Albums/2005/BumbleBee_071905a.thumb.jpg

One of them finally landed though! First time I've seen that happen ;)

http://www.picolio.com/Albums/2005/BumbleBee_071905h.jpg

http://www.picolio.com/Albums/2005/BumbleBee_071905f.jpg

I'm a shamed to admit, he allowed me to take several pics of him but I couldn't seem to get it "just right". I am getting "closer" though.

I need to re-read the shutter speed vs aperture stuff. I still don't have those settings figured out. Might help if I learn more about photoshop too :p

[stoneylonesome]

Yup! you're getting closer. :lol: :lol: the one of the bee on the flower is really sharp. the last one looks like you got closer than the focus would allow.