More and more people seem to be taking up photography as a hobby, which is no doubt partly due to virtually everyone having access to a camera via their smartphone. And not just any old camera. The overall quality of the camera that is now available on smartphones is quite remarkable, and they are only likely to become even better in the future. Having a camera on your person nearly all the time enables you to take photos whenever you want to. When out and about on a walk, for example, we come across all sorts of amazing things and images, including beautiful insects. Taking photographs of insects and sharing them on social media is becoming more and more popular.
The best way to photograph insects
To capture fantastic shots of insects requires the right camera equipment, the photographer to have a fair amount of patience, and some technical skill.
Due to the fact that insects tend to be on the small side, it is best to use a macro lens. This type of lens enables you to obtain close focusing as well as high detail. For those on a tight budget, an alternative is to use close-up filters or an extension tube.
The settings on your camera should be set in a way that focuses on sharpness, so for the mode, it's advisable to go for manual or aperture priority. For the aperture, it's best to go for f/8–f/11 to maximise depth of field while maintaining sharpness. For the shutter speed, at least 1/200s is best, and if you are taking photos with a handheld device, it's worth being even faster. For the ISO (a camera setting that will brighten or darken a photo), it's prudent to go as low as possible without sacrificing exposure. If you have an auto ISO setting on your camera, these tend to work well. And for the focus setting, it is best to go for the manual focus.
As with many forms of photography, lighting is crucial. It is without doubt best to take the photographs of insects in natural light, with the early morning or early evening likely being the ideal time. At the start of the day, insects tend to be at their slowest, partly because this is when they are likely to be at their coldest. It is much easier to take a great shot when they are slow rather than when they are nipping about all over the place at crazy angles. Even though they may be at their slowest, it is still worthwhile to approach them quietly and slowly, avoiding, where possible, any sudden movements. This, of course, is to avoid spooking them, and gives us the best chance of taking the photograph while they are not moving.
A tripod can be of benefit, as can weather protection for your clothes and your camera equipment. A remote shutter release can be invaluable as it allows you to trigger the shutter from a distance and without touching the camera.