During my early year of learning macro photography, I was often frustrated as I could not get sharp images. Most of my pictures were motion blur due mainly to windy conditions. I soon realized that from the first light of the day (ie. 6.45 am to 7.00 am) to 9.00 am is the best period for newbie like me to practise shooting as there are little or no winds and insects are less active. I began to improve and soon mastered the basic skills of macro photography. Shooting very early in the morning has its advantage. You would see lots of dews around the greenery.
(Female Common Bluetail, Holland Woods – 11 Oct 2008)
Morning dews not only complement but very effective in making an ordinary subject looks amazingly different. I personally find damselflies covered or surrounded in the morning dews most beautiful and eye-catching such as the above image which is one of my favourites.
Holland Woods, a greenery opposite Ngee Ann Polytechnic, is an excellent place to photograph damselflies in heavy dews!
(Female Common Bluetail, Holland Woods – 7 Jun 2008)
It is a location where the Common Bluetail damselflies are in abundant. Although this species is very common and widespread throughout in Singapore, it is quite unique as the female has three different colour forms ie Golden orange, Olive green & Bluish green.
(Female Common Bluetail, Holland Woods – 24 May 2008)
Wild Wild West, a location at the end of Corporation Road, is the next best place to shoot damselflies in dews. Unfortunately, it is now under construction for roads and drains and I heard recently that it will be used for industrial purposes.
(Female Commontail, Wild Wild West – 3 May 2010)
Shooting damselfly in dews with dark background is equally appealing to me.
(Variable Wisp, Wild Wild West – 7 Nov 2009)
How about one with a backlighting as shown below?
(Female Commontail, Wild Wild West – 3 May 2010)
If you like these images, wake up and shoot very early like me!
Dragonflies & Damselflies of Singapore 