I never dreamed that the second half of my life would be inextricably linked to the bow. Twenty years ago, on an island in the South China Sea, in an uninhabited valley, I spotted a group of unknown butterflies overwintering en masse. Since then, I have begun to have an indissoluble relationship with butterflies and with this microscopic ecological world. My photography path has also shifted from traditional news, scenery, documentary, and tourism to the "microscopic ecological world of insects".
Oriental Butterfly Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USMF4, 1/500 sec., ISO200
Micro ecological world There are challenges and surprises
If ecological photography is a more challenging project for people who play photography, then "microscopic insect photography" is one of the most challenging projects in ecological photography, and it is precisely because of this challenge that it has become the most attractive place for me. First of all, you have to accept the challenge from nature, at the turn of spring and summer this year, you drive yourself around Jiangxi, Guangdong, Hunan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Sichuan, Guangxi, from high mountains to islands and other places to shoot, and for an old man who is already sixty or six years old, go deep into the natural protected areas, walk through the original mountains and forests without roads, the physical test is the most basic and the most severe test. Sometimes in order to pursue a butterfly, it is necessary to cross several mountains with an altitude of hundreds or even thousands of meters, because different butterflies live at different altitudes.
Green Spotted Butterfly (left) Purple Butterfly (right) EOS 5D Mark IV, EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USMF5, 1/500 sec., ISO 800
In order to save energy and facilitate carrying, my photographic equipment is very simple under normal conditions, that is, a 5D4 set of a new 100 micro (EF 100mm F/2.8L IS) lens, only occasionally when chasing down a particularly rare butterfly species, I will use the Canon EF28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 L lens.
Golden-beaked butterfly (National First Class Protected Animal) EOS 5D Mark IV, EF28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USMF5.6, 1/5000 sec., 1000
Second, photographing macro insects also challenges the reserve of natural knowledge. There are more than 16,000 known butterfly species in the world, and there are nearly 1,600 species in China. Their living environments and habits are different. For example, different latitudes and altitudes, different plant hosts are pregnant with different butterflies and insect species, as a qualified insect photographer, you must have to face different ecological environments, see different plants can predict what kind of insects can be photographed here. The experience of photographing the golden-spotted beaked butterfly in Jiulian Mountain, Jiangxi Province, is precisely based on the knowledge and experience accumulated over the years that I have photographed this rare butterfly species that I have been searching for for 8 years without success. Being able to photograph butterflies depends not only on luck, but also on our knowledge of insects.
圆象甲EOS 5D Mark IV，EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USMF10，1/250 秒，ISO 200
In addition, the necessary photographic knowledge to shoot butterflies should also be possessed, take the example of setting the aperture of macro lens shooting. The maximum aperture of the lens can reach F2.8, the bokeh is very beautiful, and the resolution is also excellent, which meets the requirements of our ecological shooting pursuit of extreme detail. However, in 1:1 macro shooting, the aperture cannot be completely released, because the extremely shallow depth of field will lose detail. Especially when photographing small insects, in order to ensure that the clarity of the subject matter achieves the desired effect. I will use more Apertures above F10 to shoot, which can not only ensure the restoration of insect subject details, but also ensure excellent out-of-focus bokeh performance.
网丝蛱蝶EOS 5D Mark IV，EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USMF4，1/500 秒，ISO 500
An insect is a free creature that is not moved by you, which is a challenge in itself, and even if you know it, you can't control it. We can only adjust our camera position according to the position of the butterfly, and even sometimes we lie on the ground and shoot back hidden on the back of the leaf, such as the mesh butterfly above, hidden under the leaf, and I can only shoot it in a close crouching and up-looking posture. At the same time, it is also necessary to creep into action to prevent the action from being too big and startling it.
东方菜粉蝶EOS 5D Mark IV，EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USMF4.5，1/800 秒，ISO 500
瓢虫EOS 5D Mark IV，EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USMF14，1/200 秒，ISO 100
Body: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USMF13, 1/320 sec., ISO500
Bright grey butterfly (very small, only the size of a fingernail cap)
In addition to disobedience, insects are more flexible, leaving photographers generally no more than 2-3 seconds to shoot, so this requires us to have excellent shooting basic skills, as well as enough familiarity with equipment. That's why I've been using Canon for so many years, because when you're familiar with a system, a lot of stressful operations are subconscious, which effectively improves the success rate of shooting.
Screenshot of local details of bright gray butterfly
Of course, the detail reduction of the fuselage, especially the unique characteristics of the tiny butterfly, can be accurately expressed, which is also the biggest help for insect photography. The art world describes butterflies as nature's dancing girls, dancing beauties. Also known as butterflies are flying flowers, bright gray butterflies are just like fairies on flowers, and the markings on the wings are like the neon clothes of fairies, which all need to be through excellent detail analysis ability to reflect its beauty in an unobstructed manner.
玉斑凤蝶EOS 5D Mark IV，EF28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USMF5.6，1/200 秒，ISO 2500
Photographing insects is challenging, but when Lady Luck pampers you and rewards all your efforts, the excitement of getting what you want can't be described in words. It is in response to the saying "if you don't experience wind and rain, you can see the rainbow." The reason why this spring's "butterfly hunting road" is extraordinary is that it starts from the adventure of Jiulian Mountain.
褐钩凤蝶EOS 5D Mark IV，EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USMF6.3，1/320 秒，ISO 320
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USMF8, 1/250, ISO200
The story of the golden-spotted beaked butterfly in the Nine Mountains
The aforementioned golden-beaked butterfly should be the biggest gain of my trip, and it can be said that this year's good luck is used to shoot it. The golden-spotted beaked butterfly, inhabiting about 1000 meters above sea level, often flies high in the forest, sometimes stops among the flowers, rarely goes down to the ground for drinking water and other activities, so it is not easy to be found. It is precious and rare, it is a butterfly unique to China, a national first-class protected animal, ranking first among the world's eight precious butterflies, and is known as the "national butterfly". Because it is so rare and over-caught, it has been difficult for even entomologists to find it in recent years.
金斑喙凤蝶EOS 5D Mark IV，EF28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USMF5.6，1/1600 秒，ISO 1000
I have heard that I found it in Jiulian Mountain, Jiangxi Province, and taking advantage of the opportunity of the improvement of the epidemic situation in April and May this year, I once again embarked on a journey to find it. Jiulian Mountain National Nature Reserve, where the steep mountains and ravines are 280 to 1434 meters above sea level, not only beautiful scenery, but also extremely rich in species, for ecological photography here is a rare "treasure house". Because of the discovery of the endangered golden-beaked butterfly and the world-class endangered bird, the Hainan tabby seabream, this place has also become a dream filming location.
金斑喙凤蝶EOS 5D Mark IV，EF28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USMF5.6，1/5000 秒，ISO 1000
In recent years, I have been to several places in quick succession and climbed several hills at an altitude of more than 1100 meters to squat, but all of them have been fruitless. As in previous times, just when I decided to fight again next year. The kung fu paid off, and finally under the guidance of the guide, he met the golden-spotted beaked butterfly on another mountain. But its active habits made it difficult for me to approach, and I could only keep looking for opportunities to photograph it. Taking advantage of the opportunity to stop on a host tree that almost grew on the edge of the cliff, although the distance was a little far and the angle was a bit tricky, but this was the only chance I could photograph it, and if I couldn't shoot it, it would be a forever regret. Standing on the slope of the cliff at the top of the mountain, I quickly changed the lens of the EF28-300L, quickly adjusted the exposure and took this set of precious photos of the golden-beaked butterflies.
Re-enlist the lotus island The miracle of life after the storm
Hebao Island is a blessed place for me to get acquainted with eco-photography, and it is also the place where I started micro-ecological photography. 20 years ago, during a landstop creation, I stumbled upon thousands of wintering butterflies in a valley. It was my first time to appreciate the wonders of the natural world. Because it is close to Zhuhai, Hebao Island has also become my fixed base for ecological photography creation. I spent a full 8 years to complete the butterfly resource survey in the city where I live, and it can be said that it is a kind of fate, emotion, responsibility and obligation.
青斑蝶EOS 5D Mark IV，EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USMF4，1/500 秒，ISO 800
This time I landed on the island to shoot, my heart is more complicated. The huge typhoon encountered in Zhuhai in the past two years completely destroyed the Butterfly Valley on Hebao Island, and how many butterflies there are in the Butterfly Valley is uncertain, and the road to the Butterfly Valley is long gone, which also adds uncertainty to this shooting.
EOS 5D Mark IV，EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USMF16，1/250 秒，ISO 200
Small-browed butterfly (in the middle of the tail)
Unexpectedly, the tenacious vitality of the butterflies on the island during this visit allowed me to witness the magic of nature once again. Although the grandeur of the Butterfly Valley can no longer be found, in some places where trees fell, new life is being nurtured, and butterflies are recovering from the disaster and continuing to reproduce. Isn't this the same as my spirit of adhering to insect photography, from the very beginning of the lonely island shooting, to the various nature reserves to explore the record, to the later more and more ecological enthusiasts to join us, it is this persistence that supports me.
Don't worry about the machine when it's hot and humid, you have to prevent heat stroke
In addition, the unstable weather also brought greater uncertainty to this shooting, to May, Zhuhai also entered the rainy season, often sudden heavy rain, after a few minutes it stopped, the surrounding environment instantly wet heat "burst", just like in the sauna, but this is also the butterfly may suddenly appear when, fortunately in the hand of the 5D Mark IV and Baiwei are not affected by this moisture and heat at all, its excellent protection makes me do not have to worry about the erosion of wind and rain, stable performance makes my record like a tiger, The excellent picture quality also makes the photos taken more precious.
绢斑蝶EOS 5D Mark IV，EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USMF5，1/500 秒，ISO 800
The 5D Mark IV in a humid and hot environment still ensures that I can shoot continuously
青斑蝶EOS 5D Mark IV，EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USMF2.8，1/800 秒，ISO 800
Flying Leopard Ruler Moth EOS 5D Mark IV, EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USMF2.8, 1/500 sec., ISO 500
Write at the end
I am crazy for butterflies, I am not only to observe butterflies, to photograph butterflies with the lens, but also to investigate butterfly resources, record butterflies, show butterflies, protect butterflies. It is said that a flash in the pan is the most precious, and it is these rare and beautiful lives that I want to record and protect.
Biodiversity is the foundation of human survival, and I hope that my work will arouse people's awareness of the ecological crisis and spread the concept of environmental protection. This is also to support my repeated outings to shoot, over the mountains, without fear of the danger of the steep slopes of the cliffs of more than a thousand meters in Jiulian Mountain, and to record the "graceful posture" of the golden-spotted beaked phoenix butterfly with a clear camera. I hope that what you see in my work is not just butterflies, but also the respect for living beings in your heart.
Elephant Trunk WaxHopper (Longan Chicken) EOS 5D Mark IV, EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USMF16, 1/250 sec., ISO 200
暗痣蛛EOS 5D Mark IV，EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USMF2.8，1/5000 秒，ISO 800
Chain-eyed Butterfly Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USMF4, 1/500 sec., ISO200