Monday, May 23, 2011

Committing Insecticide

Beetle about to jump, Toronto photographer Robert RaftonLike I've said before, if you're inclined to shoot some bugs with your camera Toronto can be a tough place. Most of the parks are sprayed regularly, and if they weren't we'd be up to our eyebrows in mosquitoes.

But one bug you're sure to find everywhere, and I do mean everywhere, is the soldier beetle. There are billions and billions of them, including the two pictured here. I have yet to go anywhere in the city where I don't find them.

If you've got a little point and shoot camera you can actually shoot bugs pretty well because smaller cameras have great depth-of-field, crucial for little critters. A small camera can also be great when it comes to getting into cramped spaces at weird angles. You will need to practice holding your camera very still. Don't be afraid to use your flash.

Click to enlarge these pics. They are bugs, after all. They're small.

Beetle on leaf, Toronto photographer Robert Rafton