On April 3, 2022, I went to Wutong Mountain for ecological observation. Although it was only a short two and a half hours, I gained a lot.
As an ecology enthusiast, I have always been committed to capturing small animals in their entirety, but there were often deficiencies in the details and the composition was less than satisfactory. This time, I learned some principles of composition and also gained photography techniques. I feel that the clarity and details of my photos have made significant progress.
First, I learned about snail photography. Snails are seen by many as small animals crawling slowly on the ground with a shell on their back. Their intricate body structure may only be seen in biology textbooks. In the past, I have taken photos of tiny snails. But this time, I took it more seriously. I lay on the ground, used a macro lens, with a soft light board for fill light, among other techniques. I successfully captured a photo of a snail that resembled those in biology books, capturing its foot and tentacles in full detail. When I was young, I used to catch snails in the mountains near my home, and finding a snail shell would make me happy all day. Being able to capture exquisite snail photos in my lens is an extension of my childhood joy.
Second, I learned about spider photography. When it comes to spiders, most people's first reaction is a hairy and scary arthropod, and spider webs are the tombstones for insects and small animals. However, during the night, when light is added from the side, spider webs can also present a beautiful scene. When I tried to take photos directly with the camera, I couldn't capture anything because the spider web was too fine. But if I tilted the camera at a 45-degree angle and added some light along the shooting angle, the spider web would display colorful colors like a rainbow. In the almost pitch-black night, the transparent spider web shines with colorful brilliance, creating a dreamy scene! Of course, you should ignore the overlord of the web - the spider.
Third, water droplets. This may be the most difficult to understand. Is there anything worth photographing in water droplets? Similarly, at night, if you have a good macro lens, steady hands, and accurate focus on the water droplets, you may have the opportunity to capture the reflection inside the droplets. There could be an insect or a pure white flower inside. There might also be branches or leaves nearby, creating a small ecological sphere. Looking at the photo alone, who would think that it's just a tiny water droplet hanging on a leaf? However, don't underestimate this scene. Firstly, keeping your hands steady can challenge many people. Secondly, focusing on the water droplet with a macro lens can disappoint countless people who don't have the equipment. But the most despairing thing is that even if you achieve both of these aspects perfectly, you still might not achieve the desired effect. Taking photos of water droplets requires numerous attempts and a great deal of patience, unlike the previous two factors.
In summary, I gained a lot from this experience. Previously, I focused on capturing different species but neglected the composition and techniques of photography. With more shooting skills and experience, I believe my future photography will be more successful.
