ABSTRACT
Actively stalking insects is one of the few occasions when I prefer to use autofocus mainly for speed and to keep my hand movements to a minimum. For example, when in a meadow I tend to target a species and watch to see if it settles for a reasonable amount of time before moving on to the next ower or is it merely a eeting stop? ose insects that are in a hurry are not worth pursuing since you are unlikely to get in close enough before they move on again. It’s better to observe and focus on those that seem to settle for longer periods; you will have a much better chance of success. Try and select subjects with a relatively clean background behind them, although this is not always possible, a quick check before moving in will give you an idea. It’s also important to keep your shadow o the subject and keep yourself below the skyline, otherwise it will highlight your movements even more. Another useful accessory when you are on the move is knee pads; they are invaluable and save your knees when you have to kneel down on rough terrain. Don’t expect to nail every species you target, but with a little patience, an understanding of the scene and a careful approach you can get some great images.
