Needham’s Skimmer Dragonflies From Blackwater NWR

Needham Skimmer Dragonfly images from a previous trip to the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, outside Cambridge, Maryland. The featured image is a Needham Skimmer Dragonfly made from 3 images, focused at 3 different focus areas on the dragonfly and blended in Photoshop. I focused on near wingtip, body, then far wingtip. Even at f/14 with a 300mm lens I only needed 3 focus areas to get a sharp dragonfly from wingtip to wingtip and still have a smoother background. If I stopped down more I would get a more distracting backgrounds, so focus stacking helps the dragonfly stand out more.

Needham's Skimmer_v2_FM_7img_300mm_1_4x_f14_7D_MG_4520

Needham's Skimmer_FM_300mm__1_4X_7D_MG_5596

Needham's Skimmer_v2_HP_300mm_1_4X_f14_7D_2img

Needham's Skimmer_FM_7img_300mm_1_4x_f13_1_320sec 7D_v2

8 Comments on “Needham’s Skimmer Dragonflies From Blackwater NWR”

Hans Wikström
July 13, 2020

Such beutiful wings and colourful body, and sharp to. Good performance!

Reply
- Reed Andariese
  July 14, 2020
  
  Thanks Hans! They are fun photo subjects!
  
  Reply
blhphotoblog
July 13, 2020

Lovely colourful set Reed, I’m impressed with the focus stacking you must be quick to get those shots off before they move.

Reply
- Reed Andariese
  July 14, 2020
  
  Thanks so much! I find it easier to not use a tripod. So it is a quick series of images manually focused on the areas I need. Then loading the images into one layered file in Photoshop. Auto-align, then auto blend. So it is actually quite easy to do after you have done a few!
  
  Reply
belindagroverphotography
July 13, 2020

Gorgeous colour and sharpness!

Reply
- Reed Andariese
  July 14, 2020
  
  Thanks Belinda! They are fun to do!
  
  Reply
bayphotosbydonna
July 15, 2020

Spectacular shots, Reed, the colors and details are stunning!

Reply
- Reed Andariese
  July 15, 2020
  
  Thanks Donna! They are colorful dragonflies!!😊
  
  Reply