NEW - Ken Gilbert

DEWFly
Go buggy
with a macro
lens and
help from the
weatherman
As a child, I
often hiked with my
father and brothers
through forests and
parks, so at a very
early age, I developed
a passion for and interest in nature.
Photography came later, when
in 2003 I bought my fi rst digital
camera with macro capability, a
Nikon Coolpix 4500. Ever since,
I’ve dedicated myself to examining
nature’s tiny creatures, thrilled by
their structures and colors.
After hours of searching on a predawn,
September morning, I found
this dragonfl y clinging to the grass
on the banks of a charming pond
near my home in Kronach, Germany.
The morning was cold and foggy,
and the rising sun would soon fi lter
through the mist, creating a diffuse
and warm-hued light. Everything
was covered by very fi ne dewdrops.
Under such conditions, winged
insects are typically torporifi c,
unable to walk, much less fl y.
It wasn’t my fi rst encounter
with a rare (in my area) red-veined
darter. I’d seen one twice before
in the early morning dark, but
both times, the dew was too light
and the wind too strong. On this
particular morning, though, the
conditions were perfect, and I
rushed to get a picture. I had
about an hour before the air would
warm, the dew evaporate, and my
subject would fl y away.
I quickly mounted my Nikon
D200 on a Manfrotto 055
Pro-B tripod. To get life-size
magnifi cation, I bayonetted a
Novofl ex macro bellows into the
camera’s lensmount and threaded
a Rodenstock Rodagon 80mm f/4
enlarging lens onto the bellows.
After patiently composing
Text and
photos
by Martin
Amm
and focusing, I let the D200’s
histograms guide me to an exposure
of 2.5 sec at f/11 (ISO 200). I used
a gray card to get a custom white
balance and natural color.
Neither subject nor background
were moved or manipulated,
although I used Adobe Photoshop
CS2 to adjust brightness, contrast,
and saturation slightly.
To anyone who wants to make a
similar photo, I recommend:
nRising long before dawn when
three factors will be present: high
relative humidity; cold, but abovefreezing
temperatures; and still air.
nSearch in the grasses surrounding
lakes and ponds for your sleeping
subjects. When you’ve found one,
set up and wait for dawn—and
enough ambient light to take your
photo. I avoid using fl ash because
the pictures look like they were
made in a studio, not in the fi eld.
nUse the best and highest
magnifi cation close-up equipment
that you can afford. This could
include a 1:1 macro lens, macro
focusing rail, or a macro bellows.
nTo prevent camera vibration,
use a sturdy tripod and a camera
that permits mirror lock-up, plus a
remote shutter release or self-timer.
nHave patience and good luck! p
Martin Amm is a 22-year-old
biology student from Kronach,
Germany, who describes himself
as “something between an amateur
and professional photographer.”
To see more of his work, visit
www.naturfranken.de.
POP PHOTO MAY 2009 WWW.POPPHOTO.COM 45
Product Services Directory
IS YOUR AT-HOME SOURCE
FOR EVERYTHING PHOTOGRAPHIC.
You’ll find the Product Services
Directory in this issue on pages
86 – 89
For advertising information about
the Product Services Directory, call
CHIP PARHAM at (212) 767-5717
or email him: cparham@hfmus.com
SCHOOLS & WORKSHOPS
Northwest College
Palm Beach Photographic Center
CT Media/Photography Institute
PHOTO SUPPLIES
Backdrop Outlet
Cambridge World
Focus Camera
Hoodman
Acratech
Perfection Distributing Inc.
PRE-OWNED EQUIPMENT
UsedCameraBuyer.com
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
Shuttermom
PHOTO SERVICES
Reliable Photo
Frederick’s Photo Lab
Plus more new
products & services!