Photographing insects - how it works

Photographing insects can be a real challenge. Often the small animals stay in one position for a short time and fly away quickly, especially when a photographer approaches.

This is how insect photography works

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The best way to take pictures of insects is with a good compact or single-lens reflex camera

Since insects often fly away when a person approaches, you should keep calm when taking pictures

Test the macro mode of your camera to practice on still objects such as flowers

When taking pictures, take into account the habits of the animals and stay in popular places of the insects

To photograph insects, you should use a compact camera or an SLR camera. The photos are usually not successful with the smartphone. It is helpful to use a tripod so that the photos are in focus.

• Do not approach the insect you want to photograph too quickly. Otherwise you will awaken the animal's instinct to escape.
• Select the macro mode on your camera. It is best to test this first on stationary objects such as plants. If you have a good command of the macro setting, you can devote yourself to living objects. A macro lens or a telephoto lens with a focal length of 100 millimeters provides the best results.
• Because an insect often flies away or crawls when you approach it, you should watch the right moment. At dawn, insects are usually still a little sleepy and motionless.
• It can also be helpful to wait quietly in one place yourself, for example on a river bank or in a rapeseed field, and to remain there until an insect approaches on its own.
• It takes a lot of patience, some luck and a few hours of practice to photograph insects. Take a photography course or read specialist books for more tips.

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