...So Little Time!
So Much Water...
57
Macro photography of aquatic insects and other freshwater invertebrates
is the result of my experimenting with the methods of aquatic macro photography.
The scope of this book includes invertebrates that spend at least part of their lives in the water and are large enough to be seen by naked eye (or at most' using a hand-held magnifying glass). All photographed animals were collected in Central Europe and in waters of the Czech Republic, although most of them are widespread and can be found on other continents as well.
The purpose of this book is to allow the general public to peer into freshwater ecosystems, which are usually well hidden to our eyesight. Anyone who is interested in nature will be amazed by this incredibly varied and colorful world full of amazing adaptations, behaviors, camouflage and strategies. Photographing freshwater invertebrates can lead to better knowledge and increased awareness of these extremely important organisms because people cannot protect what they don’t know exists.
I am often asked about the techniques, equipment and methods used in freshwater macro photography, therefore, the last part of the book is devoted to these topics and can be used as a step by step manual for photographers and all macro enthusiasts intending to explore the fascinating world of aquatic invertebrates.
The book includes:
- 43 introduced groups of freshwater invertebrates.
- Over 220 photographs of live specimens.
- Tips for collecting and keeping the animals.
- Recommendations for arranging the scene in an aquarium.
- Aquatic macro photography equipment, methods and workflow.
"It is always heartwarming when people do not recognize that the photographs are taken in an aquarium, but the aquariums are probably the most important gear in the process. There are three main advantages of photographing in an aquarium - full control over the lighting, comfort while working and the most important, you can take pictures from the angles, which would be very difficult (or impossible) to attain in the natural environment. It is quite difficult to maintain suitable conditions in a small aquarium, but there is a reliable indicator of whether the environment is well prepared or not. If the newcomers start looking for food or hunting, conditions are fine."
Jan Hamrsky