Finally gave Dragons a go

Well seeing all the others here have a go at dragon shooting has inspired me to atleast give it a try. The reason I'm usually hesitant about dragonflies is that the ones around here usually never let me get near them.
Wasn't much different today, but I made it my personal challenge to not leave the river side until I got atleast a couple promising shots. Honestly, these things really test my patience...

So here are my first attempts...

Not sure on it's species but they were the only type to occasionally give me a chance.

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Beautiful!! I´m very impressed. Beautiful color on number 4.

mybell wrote in post #3695275
Beautiful!! I´m very impressed. Beautiful color on number 4.

Thanks mybell, glad you like them.

Looks like you succeeded brilliantly- wonderful shots and worth the perseverance. Wonderful compositions,light, colour and clarity.
Brian V.

Patience is needed but wasn't it worth it? Just missed focus on shot 4 but still a great set.

LordV wrote in post #3695410
Looks like you succeeded brilliantly- wonderful shots and worth the perseverance. Wonderful compositions,light, colour and clarity.
Brian V.

Appretiate the nice feedback Brian. It was mainly your dragon shots that inspired me to try and capture their beauty...and I must admit, it's a challenge -- but Dragonflies have to be one of the most stunning creatures to shoot.

Cheers

eccles wrote in post #3695411
Patience is needed but wasn't it worth it? Just missed focus on shot 4 but still a great set.

Yeah, it's a shame I didn't get the whole face in focus.
Thanks for the nice comments eccles.

Definitely worth waiting for!

A great series. I'll plump for #2 as my favourite - lovely composition.

really nice series and love #4 also.

Bill

i have been taking pics of dragons and tbh there pretty poor..i went to loko at your settings as u seem to have it down ie your really good at taking pics of dragons...but i was diserpointed to find there was no properites set up on flick on every pic...so could i ask what settings did u have them on and what set up..great work man!

Thanks for the nice comments everyone!

macro junkie: For these pics I used ISO 400 (cloudy day, otherwise I'd usually use 200), no flash -- shutter speed between 1/125 to 1/250 (depending on conditions) and aperture between f5.6 to f11, again depending on conditions.

I'm certainly no expert and still in early learning stages, but from the little I've experienced it's really more a matter of getting used to your camera, which translates into practice. Too much depends on the conditions at the time of shooting... practice enough in as many different circumstances as you can (lighting, surroundings, wind etc) until you feel confident in being able to decide what settings need to be adjusted. The trick is getting to the point where you instinctively adjust settings to the particular situation -- starting from the moment you spot the subject.

Eventually, as you become quicker and sharper in this process -- your success rate will grow and then it's just a matter of perfecting any other areas to your liking/style.

Cheers for the nice feedback

edit: @macro junkie- Just looking at your gallery, you got some beautiful damsel fly pictures... only thing I can suggest is to keep at it. After awhile it's only a matter of time before you get in lucky enough situations as I did to have more options in composition etc.

Patience is definately required. Yours paid off well. --Rick

Great series! Love them all.

Well done. Super shots. You do need a lot of patience, but the more you put in the more enjoyment you get from it.
#4 is my favorite one super shot.

Simply wonderfull, very good, series, your pictures are very sharp, lovely colors.
Congrats,

Laurent.