Michelle Bodamer Photography - Summer Fireflies!

The last week or so JB and I have been waiting till just after sunset and then heading out to shoot photographs of fireflies. It all started when I was talking with my friend who is also a photographer over text message. She sent me a text saying she was outside and saw what seemed like a million fireflies. I sent her a text back that said: long exposures!  For the rest of the week I keep thinking about how I've always wanted to take some photos of fireflies in the summer and thus began our 10pm nightly adventure.

The photos have been what I like to think of as play in progress. I can't really call it work since we are just having fun. I've been continuously brainstorming ways to make the photos better, but I'm going to let you see what I've captured up to this point.

Materials Used:

• Canon DSLR
• Tripod
• Flashlight
• Cell Phone/Watch

Here are some of my shots...

The first photograph is from our first night out down by the stream in our neighborhood. There were a lot of fireflies out that night. The second photo shows a tremendous number of fireflies on the next night we took photographs. The third and fourth photographs were taken tonight. We went to a different location that was more secluded with less light pollution.  It was a little cooler tonight which was nice for us but I noticed there were not as many fireflies out. After about an hour or so we decided to pack it up and head home.

All exposures were taken using a tripod, the DSLR, and the bulb setting for exposures of 2-5 minutes in length. The only drawback we experienced were the the mosquitos! But by the second night JB and I prepared ourselves by wearing long sleeve shirts and pants.

When I see the fireflies I instantly think of summers outside in my parents' yard as a kid. JB and I share stories while I'm setting up shots and taking pictures. It has been a really fun way to spend our evenings as we end the month of June.

-Michelle