I’m starting to have doubts about my future career as a National Geographic photographer. Tonight I caught several lightning bugs and put them in a jar hoping to capture a photo of one of them glowing. I think they were irritated with me because they presented a united front and refused to cooperate. I gave up and set them free and looked for something else to photograph. Since I was using my macro lens and the hour was getting late, I randomly took photos of various subjects in my backyard when I noticed the giant orb glowing in the sky behind the trees. I’m thinking a macro lens is not the first choice for most photographers attempting moon shots, but I was just too lazy to go get a proper lens. Tell the folks at National Geographic to please be patient as I’m still honing my skills. Obviously, I’m almost there!
This produces a really cool effect! I love your description of your failed photo op. I too would love a photo of a lightning bug glowing! Keep trying and let me know if you succeed!
@digitalrn Yeah, I wasn’t trying too hard. I just needed to get my daily photo in! @deniseinindy I need to find something to make them woozy so they will sit still! I don’t know how I’m going to get them to light up. Don’t worry, I’m not done with them yet!
I think the glow effect here is way cool! As an aside, I was just having a conversation with a neighbor the other day as our kids were chasing fireflies, and she told me that once you catch them and place them in a jar, they simply don't light up. It has to do with them signalling each other for some reason, and they don't feel the need to send the signal if they are in a jar. I don't know if this is true, but she said she spent her entire childhood proving this theory... You'll have to catch them glowing in the wild... Good Luck! ;)
Beautiful moon glow shot! Put this one in your portfolio ~ I think you're well on your way to getting a National Geographic gig. :) I tried to get firefly shots when we were up in the mountains and they were out in the hundreds...couldn't get a shot timed right to save me. I have the same issues with lightning. One of these days.....
@erikadee You know, I think I heard that about lightning bugs, too. I remember always trying to gather a whole jar full to see if it would make a lantern, but of course, it never did!
@peggysirk I googled images of lightning bugs and there weren’t a lot of them that were “lit”. I guess as a Nat Geo photographer, it’s going to be up to me to be a trailblazer and develop a surefire way of capturing them in action. ;)
I've heard of lightening bugs going on strike like that! Love the shot and it's amazing that it was with a macro lens. Sometimes we learn things when we think we are just being lazy. ;-) Nice work!
@deniseinindy I need to find something to make them woozy so they will sit still! I don’t know how I’m going to get them to light up. Don’t worry, I’m not done with them yet!