TAKE MACRO PHOTOS LIKE A PRO

• BY ANNIE LABRECQUE

You’d like to take great photos of insects with your cell phone? Here are four useful tips from photographer André Sarrazin, who has worked with the Espace pour la vie team for more than ten years.

#1 – KNOW YOUR CELL PHONE’S FEATURES IN AND OUT

Know the limitations of your cell phone's camera because the features and performance vary greatly from one phone to the next. Since the zoom-in feature rarely does the job, get as close to your subject as possible. Try to focus on the insect's eyes to get a better picture. Bug won’t stay still? Maximize your chances of catching it in flight with the burst mode.

#2 – PICK THE RIGHT MOMENT

According to André Sarrazin, you’ll get the best images early in the morning or late in the day. It may be a good idea to photograph dragonflies and butterflies before 9 am, when they first take flight. Avoid taking photos between noon and 2 pm, when the sun is at its peak, so as not to overexpose your photos. Remember to use a hat for shade.

#3 – BE PATIENT

Insects may fly away or hide when you get close. Be patient and stay put! Dragonflies, for example, return to their original location after a while.

Want to capture butterflies on the fly? Pay special attention to their wings. In the field, you don't always notice that they can be damaged. The solution: take several pictures of different specimens.

#4 – AN INSECT SEEN FROM MULTIPLE ANGLES

Avoid shooting the insect at a 45° angle. Whenever possible, stand at the same level as your subject and take a picture from at least three different angles: left, right and top. Don't hesitate to share your photos on our social networks, and don’t forget to tag us! @espacepourlavie