How to photograph butterflies. Part 4: Going unseen by butterflies.

Left:  Me with my camera and long lens.  Right:  Western Tiger Swallowtail, 2014, Vancouver Island.

Butterflies, like all insects, have two compound eyes, each eye containing thousands of ommatidia, each one ending with a facet at the eye's surface.  Each eye sends a tiny image to the lepidopteran brain and the group of them work together to give the organism some context as to its surroundings.  However, there is no ability to discern objects beyond colour and movement.

Although they can see almost completely around them, their perception is limited to motion and colour.  Their colour vision covers a wider gamut than ours does as they can pick up shades of ultraviolet.  Many flowers, appearing white to us, have stunning details when viewed with UV sensitive media.  The colours of many flowers is one of the cues that leads butterflies to the waiting blossoms.  Motion is a different story.

Quick motions are picked up immediately, but so are changes in shadow and shape.  These act as warnings to many insects which usually illicit a flight response.  Slow motion is the key when sneaking up on a butterfly, or any other insect for that matter.  Want proof?  Next time you see a fly in the house, move up to it slowly and be careful not to let your shadow fall upon it.  I can usually get within a few centimeters of it and can catch it with a quick sweep of my hand.  With butterflies, it is the same, except they do not have the simple eyes that other insects like flies and bees have.  They are not quite so good at picking up changes in light.

My technique is simple and one that I apply to most of my subjects, whether invertebrates or not.  I see my subject and approach slowly.  I take a photo and move a little closer.  Take another and move again.  Each move is done in such a way to get the best lighting (point your shadow) and to take advantage of any desirable backgrounds.  Each step or two is followed by another shot.  Eventually, you may get close enough to find that your lens can't focus any closer.

With butterflies there is an extra challenge in that they often don't spend much time on any one flower.  The key is still to move slowly with no quick motions and keep your shadow from falling on them.  If they move, repeat the process as if you were starting again.  I don't get shots of every butterfly I encounter, even if equipped and ready to do so - the fact is they are elusive and your efforts won't always be rewarded.  The up side is that you will eventually achieve your goal.

Wind is a mixed blessing.  On the one hand, flowers and butterflies are moving and getting a decent focus lock may be difficult.  On the other, the butterfly acclimatises to the motion around it and may ignore you completely as just another disturbance in its visual field.  Slow motion is still warranted as your large shape relative to what is around it will likely warn it to your presence.  But less than usually (hopefully).

If you find a spot that butterflies frequent, you can post yourself, statue-like, in a favourable position and wait.  Certain flowers, such as thistle blooms, will attract many pollinators and a small field of them will likely be an invitation to achieve some great shots.  If I find such a place, I will set myself up in a place where the light and background are to my liking and remain still.  They can't tell that I am anything other than an inanimate object just like nearby trees and bushes.  It is amazing how many shots you can get in just a few minutes when everything comes together.  Look at the image below.

Photos of butterflies I took while visiting Cypress Hills in Alberta.  I had a few dozen photos in a matter of minutes.  There was a group of common basketflowers that were very popular with many pollinators and I just stood there, quietly, waiting for insects to come.  They ignored me, and I just snapped away.

Each photo you take may be the shot you were hoping for.  You need hundreds, if not thousands, of them before you will start to achieve success.  Each outing will reward you with improving your technique and understanding, and doing it often and at the right time will increase your chances.  I have been shooting bugs, birds, and beasts for almost 50 years and am still learning the craft.  Keep at it, you will only get better.

Thanks for reading.

Eric Svendsen     www.ericspix.com