Insects

Shutterbugs with green thumbs are in luck. With a little work it's possible to bring the magic of butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden. Just select the right plants--butterflies like bright colors while hummingbirds and butterflies both like blooms with plenty of nectar. Is there a more perfect way to hone your nature photography skills while also getting some great photos for your collection?

Insects make for great macro photos. They look quite different up close, but that closeness also makes taking photos of them tricky. At distances that measure in inches, there is a problem with the depth of field being quite small. More often than not, a good portion of the insect is out of focus. That alone won't ruin a photo as long as key elements like the eyes and the antennae are in focus.

Among all butterflies, I think the Monarch is the one that is most recognized. A lot of people call other butterflies Monarchs, but few call a Monarch by any other name. As with other butterflies, the real trick with Monarch pictures is making sure that all elements are in focus. More often than not, the macro-like nature of these butterfly pictures results in the wrong feature being in focus.

Butterflies are obvious picture subjects. Even people who don't ordinarily like insects can't help spending a moment trying to capture the pretty colors and patterns of these distinct creatures. Here are some of the things I do in my attempts to get the perfect shot.

Waterfalls are harder to come by than I would've thought. I've been on many hikes where waterfalls exist, except they're always dry when I get there. The best hiking weather, warm and dry near the end of the summer, is not the best weather for waterfalls.

Butterflies are peaceful creatures. Nothing they do can possibly annoy anyone. It doesn't hurt that they're beautifully patterned and brightly colored.