Photographing dragonflies takes a lot of time spotting, sneaking up and moving slowly. There is, however, a lazier more efficient way to go about taking pictures of these little beasts.
Dragonflies like sitting in the sun in high places, where they have a good overview for hunting, and a photographer who sits still is just a part of the landscape to them. Combine these two facts with some creature comforts and the easy recipe for photographing them becomes as follows:
- Find a place where dragonflies tend to roam;
- Install yourself in the sun comfortably, with a glass of wine if you so desire;
- Stick out a finger;
- Wait. After a few minutes, a dragonfly will land on your finger;
- Take photo.
Olympus XZ-1, 112mm, ISO100, f8, 1/160s
You will have to be able to take photos with one hand, of course, or use somebody else's finger.
Good luck!