Effects Of Flash On Insects

[alan___1]

Hi,

 

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I suspect this topic may have been covered somewhere. I would like to

have your comments on the effects of flash lights on animals and in

particular, insects.

 

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Recently, I noticed that while taking shots of butterflies in broad

daylight, the insects reacted everytime my flash gun goes off. It took

me by surprised as this is the first time I experienced this. I know

some birds are sensitive to flash lights but butterflies? Anyone care

to share his/her experience?

[frank_kolwicz]

I've noticed that most animals and insects seem to be totally oblivious to flash. Some insects do react, but that is probably a complex combination of the presence of your body and that huge eye that is staring at them and the sudden flash which may trigger a flight response.

 

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I've noticed little reponse when using 200mm or longer macros, so I may be outside the threat boundary and the insects simply aren't wound up so tight when the flash goes off. What are you using? How close are to the subject for your images?

 

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Frank

[bobatkins]

I've shot butterflies with flash and I've never seen reaction at all.

Typically I'm using a 300mm lens with close-up diopter, so I'm at

least a couple of feet back from the subject.

[alan___1]

Sorry, I left out some technical details. I was using a 200mm macro

lens with flash gun set at TTL. The speed was 250sec at f16. The

butterlfies literally folded their wing each time my flash gun went

off.

[david_khoo]

Hi Alan

 

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insects usually react to vibrations, movements, and shadow, but not

to flash. I have been doing insect photography for awhile now, and

your situation is quite strange. you mentioned that you are using a

200mm macro which puts you in a comfortable distance to your

butterflies. Perhaps you may have made some small movement or your

flash could be creating a shadow(perhaps some leafs or some sort is

in front of your flash), that the butterfly is picking up the vibes.

Before your shots, check for other disturbances around the butterfly

(ie: ants or some other bug, flying insects on or around the same

resting area).

regards

david

[m._huber]

I shoot butterflies with flash quite a bit. For reasons unknown, I get two reactions. 1. No reaction at all. 2. Slight reaction on first shot. I'm very careful about not making a sudden movement or casting a shadow always. It might be the click of the camaera rather than the flash that disturbs them. I shoot mostly monarchs and swallowtails (if that is a factor). I have noticed that some butterflies are harder to approach than others.

[howard_creech1]

Alan, I shoot a lot of macro, butterflies (and dragonflies) are among

my favorite subjects. Butterflies are particularly attentive to

shadows, especially those that come from above (most butterfly

predators are birds) If you are shooting down toward them...the flash

may be causing them to think there is an airborne predator (closing

their wings diminishes the profile that birds search for when

hunting) Try putting yourself on an even plane with the butterflies

and the flash will not bother them. Moths on the other hand (being

mostly nocturnal) will react with flight to flash. Luna moths are

especially skittish about flash during daylight hours. Hope this

helps solve your macro mystery.

[steve_fletcher]

I have observed butterflies to be skittish in the presence of flash.

Not all the time, however. I recall a recent occasion on which I

tried to photograph a butterfly with flash and it was just like

trying to photograph birds that don't live in Florida -- it ran away

when the flash discharged. On the other hand, I used to photograph

wasps a lot and they seemed to take no notice of flash at all, as

others above have reported. Overall, I'd say 80% of insects have

taken no notice of flash or my presence, while the remaining 20%

exhibited a range of reactions. Insect photography has always been

very satisfying for me as a result of that ratio.

[rob___]

A Vivitar 283 will turn your insect friends into a tasty, crispy,

char-broiled treat. Don't overdo the Worscestershire, though.