Why Camera Angle Matters; Photographing Butterflies - Simple Photography Tips by Michael Blyth

Three Simple Tips for Photographing Butterflies

1. Try to get positioned so that you are in front, behind, or as in this article, perpendicular

2. Place your focus point on the nearest eyes

If one eye is closer to the camera than the other, focus on the nearest one. This is especially important when you are close to the subject, because the depth of field can be surprisingly shallow.

3. With a phone, approach from below and move slowly.

Unlike to first two images, taken with a pro camera and long lens, if you're using a phone, you have to get physically closer and that usually means the butterfly has more chance to notice you, so if you can approach from below you have a better chance.

Most, but not all, butterflies have a distinct resting posture. Many rest with their wings upright and closed, others often rest with wings open, or partly open.

Out walking the dogs the other morning, reasonably early, I took my wonderful new Nikon z8 with 70-200 and 2x teleconverter, to see what it was like for photographing little things - bugs, beasties and butterflies.

I ended up photographing butterflies and bees.

There were just a few Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) flitting around between the trees. One chose to be obliging, perhaps needing the warmth from the sun to get its systems really functioning.

It was close enough to make a reasonable shot, and to demonstrate the importance of camera angle. I took a few images to demonstrate why camera angle matters, and am using two here.

Image One - From an angle, the butterfly is not clearly defined by the camera.

Image One, the butterfly is facing slightly away from me, bringing to light two issues.

The fact that if you're using a large aperture (small number) then depth of field can be a problem. If it is, make sure you focus on the eyes - as discussed in my snail blog last week.

The other aspect is that the insect is at such an angle that its details are not particularly clear. The photograph feels slightly hurried, as though I was trying to capture it before it took off.

Image Two - A more perpendicular angle lets the butterfly’s shape and markings show more clearly.

Image Two, I've moved slightly, and so has the butterfly, with the result that it is now at right-angles to me.

That small change makes a big difference. The body and wings are more clearly visible, the shape looks better, and the photograph feels calmer.

The first image sort of carries an aura of desperation, the need to capture before it takes off. The latter is more settled and peaceful - but maybe that's just the mood I'm in - any thoughts?

Image Three - with a phone, getting close is harder, so approach slowly and from below where possible.

Image Three was taken with my Iphone some moments later. I realised that the position I was in meant that I was at the periphery of the butterfly's vision or out of it.

So I crept in close, but very slowly. I was also very quiet, as although it's questionable to what degree and in what form butterflies can hear, they are almost certainly able to pick up movemnets in the air.

Had I approached from the front it would have taken off ages before.

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The Wednesday posts are practical, simple and intended to help you make better photographs with whatever camera you already have, including the phone in your pocket.

And if you are ready for a little more involvement, I am beginning a small, more active space for people who want to move beyond simply reading tips and start putting them into practice.

It will be encouraging and practical: regular prompts, simple suggestions, the chance to share what you are making, and a way of learning to see more clearly alongside a small group of like-minded others.

You do not need to be advanced. You do not need impressive equipment. You only need the desire to get better, and the willingness to look a little more carefully.

If that sounds like something you would enjoy being part of, please get in touch.