How to Photograph Butterflies in a Butterfly House

Butterfly houses are controlled environments, mostly found at zoos. They are good places to photograph butterflies because of the large population in a small area.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Notebooks
• Pens
• SLR Camera
• Camera Bags
• Camera Batteries
• Camera Filters
• Camera Flashes
• Camera Lenses
• Camera Macro Lenses
• Camera Monopods
• Camera Tripod
• Camera With Close-up Lens
• Cameras
• Film
• Light Meter
• Wide-angle Lens
• Zoom Lenses
• Pens
• Cameras
• Notebooks

Preparation

1. Check with the butterfly house or the zoo for any rules about using a tripod.

2. Choose a good time to take your pictures. Early mornings, lights evenings or bright cloudy days will provide the best light.

3. Select film with a good color saturation to bring out the bright colors of the butterflies. Kodak slide film labeled S, VS or SW; Fuji Provia and Velvia slide film; and Agfa Ultra 50 print film have color saturation capabilities.

4. Use a film best suited for the lighting, such as a slower film (ASA or ISO 100 or 200). These films are good for outdoor shooting, and enlargements will not be grainy.

5. Use a flash to fill in any shadows on your main subject.

6. Take a monopod or tripod if the butterfly house allows it. A tripod will allow you to slow your shutter speed for the most color and texture saturation. You can also hand-hold your camera. Try to be as steady as possible and use higher shutter speeds such as 1/125 or more.

7. Choose a 1:1 macro lens for very close shots, or a zoom lens with extension tubes or a close-up lens to fill most of your frame with the butterfly.

8. Experiment with a few filters, such as enhancers and polarizers. An enhancer will make those red, yellows and oranges really pop. Use a polarizer on a very sunny day to take some of the glare off your subject - it will also help make those colors jump out at you.

Taking the Photograph

9. Set your camera on automatic - it will read the light and distance and adjust to the film you're using. You may need to manually change the settings if you are shooting a white butterfly. This will prevent overexposure and washing out of the texture on the wings.

10. Frame your shot carefully to keep background clutter or unattractive items - metal poles, wood or netting - from distracting from your main subject.

11. Take a couple of shots for each subject, turning your camera both vertically and horizontally to change the look of your pictures.

12. Focus on your subject - get the entire butterfly in focus. Set your depth of field to blur most of the background, enhancing the butterfly. You may have to use the manual focus on your longer lens when using tubes or a close-up lens.

13. Use the one-third rule and include some of the background flower or plant for an interesting picture. See the Tips for information on the one-third rule.

14. Add a filter to your lens.

15. Carry a small notebook and pencil to make a note of what type of film, lens, filter and special setting you used for each picture.

Tips & Warnings

• To use the one-third rule when framing your shot, imagine two horizontal lines and two vertical lines dividing the frame. Place your subject in one set of the cross sections of thirds for an interesting picture.
• Unless you are totally filling the frame with the subject (no background or foreground showing), place your subject off center for a more pleasing photograph. This technique will help draw the viewer's eye to the subject and, in the case of a butterfly, help provide a feeling of motion and animation.
• Hand-hold your flash by using a connecting cord. Move it where you need it to remove a shadow or to fill in an area on the butterfly.
• When using a macro lens, you will need to get close to your subject, so find a location where the butterflies tend to congregate, such as water or certain flowers. Set up your tripod and camera, focus and wait for the perfect moment.
• Be careful about leaving your camera or equipment unattended.
• Never touch the butterflies - this can hurt or even kill them.