With Spring in full swing in New York I have been trying to take pictures of all of the new winged insects flying around. However, I’ve been having mixed success as I only have an iphone to work with and need to get quite close to be able to get decent photos. Even when I’m super careful and patient…

Go out early in the morning, when it’s cooler out. There may be less insects, but they will be much slower. Some bees will spend the night on or under a flower or leaf, and they don’t move much until the sun warms them a little. Avoid jerky movements. As you move, don’t let your shadow fall across …

[image] tony: Go out early in the morning, when it’s cooler out. There may be less insects, but they will be much slower. Some bees will spend the night on or under a flower or leaf, and they don’t move much until the sun warms them a little. You should really try this tip cause it really wor…

Follow the them! I’ve found that many times, insects like to hang out in a certain area. Especially when it’s colder out and insects slow down, it shouldn’t be too hard to track them down.

I’ve noticed that lots of flies like to return to the same perch, so if you sit quietly there and focus on the leaf tip or flower or whatever, you may get another chance to get a couple of shots.

Observe an entire area for insect activity from a distance first. Approach very slowly. I SWEAR that when I have my DSLR camera hiding my eyes (looking through the view finder) that insects don’t flee as they do when they can see my eyes. I take successive photos as I slowly get closer. Even if they…

Slow, steady movements is the name of the game. If they seem spooked back up and give them space.

Related to this main topic but considerably more specific, something I’ve noticed, especially but not exclusively with geometrids: certain moths are extremely skittish when it comes to lighting changes, to the point that getting more than one picture with flash enabled is nearly impossible (I’ve tri…

re:headlamps I’ve found headlamps to be a little jumpy so I have been wrapping the headband around my hand so the light sits in my palm. This not only lets me brace my phone with my other hand and not cast shadows with it but I can also approach very slowly and light up the insect from whatever angl…

Depending on what you’re using to get pictures, you can also record, rather than just take individual pictures, so that way you can go frame by frame afterwards to see what you got to work with. My son will do this especially when he’s using his lenses that attach to the phone because sometimes he g…

One strategy I use when approaching is to move when the wind blows, as the insect is also accustomed to nearby vegetation swaying in the wind or may just focus on tightening its own grip on the twig or leaf it is on. I’ve also tried swaying very slightly when reaching out, not sure if it works. Stic…

Strategies for approaching flightly insects

Nature Talk

tiwane June 6, 2023, 1:12am 12

I never thought of this!

Topic		Replies	Views
Any tips on photographing flies? Nature Talk	17	429	June 16, 2025
Insect Photographs - How To? Nature Talk	43	3310	September 20, 2020
Tips/tricks taking pictures of bugs that move fast? Nature Talk	18	3359	May 18, 2021
Photographing small native bees- how do I catch them with minimal stress? Nature Talk	14	908	August 11, 2021
Tips for taking pictures of insects? Nature Talk	7	346	September 3, 2025

Strategies for approaching flightly insects

Related topics