Wednesday 9 April 2014

Vincent Brady"s photographs of fireflies lighting up the night sky


  • Photographer Vincent Brady, 25, shot images using time-lapse photography to capture fireflies in a whole new light

  • Pictures were taken in the Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, and Grand Ledge, Michigan, in humid, night time conditions

  • Mr Brady stacks his images – taken over a few seconds – to allow the flickering bugs to create vibrant beams of light


By

James Rush



Published:


12:11, 9 April 2014




|
Updated:


15:54, 9 April 2014




Ethereal and magical, these patterns look like they could be out of a fantasy movie, but they are actually made by fireflies buzzing through the twilight captured by clever photography.


Photographer Vincent Brady, 25, shot the stunning series of images using time-lapse photography to portray the beauty of fireflies in a whole new light.


Mr Brady stacks his images – taken over a few seconds – to allow the flickering bugs to create vibrant beams of light against the still, dark backdrops.


Stunning: Photographer Vincent Brady captured these remarkable images of fireflies by using time lapse photography


Stunning: Photographer Vincent Brady captured these remarkable images of fireflies by using time lapse photography



Conditions: The pictures were shot in humid, night time conditions when fireflies produce a cold light from their bodies


Conditions: The pictures were shot in humid, night time conditions when fireflies produce a cold light from their bodies



Chemical reaction: The light is created by a chemical reaction called bioluminescence which the arthropods use mainly to attract a mate


Chemical reaction: The light is created by a chemical reaction called bioluminescence which the arthropods use mainly to attract a mate



Setting: Mr Brady managed to capture the remarkable images in the Lake of the Ozarks, in Missouri, and Grand Ledge, in Michigan


Setting: Mr Brady managed to capture the remarkable images in the Lake of the Ozarks, in Missouri, and Grand Ledge, in Michigan



The pictures, taken in the Lake of the Ozarks, in Missouri, and Grand Ledge, in Michigan, were shot in humid, night time conditions when fireflies produce a cold light from their bodies.


The light is created by a chemical reaction called bioluminescence which the arthropods use mainly to attract a mate.


Mr Brady became interested in capturing fireflies in 2012 when he used the same technique he had previously tried to capture star trails to photograph the bugs.


He said: ‘Fireflies are incredible – the more I learn about them the more interesting they seem to become.


Technique: The photographer became interested in capturing fireflies in 2012 when he used a technique he had previously tried to capture star trails to photograph the bugs


Technique: The photographer became interested in capturing fireflies in 2012 when he used a technique he had previously tried to capture star trails to photograph the bugs



Otherworldly: The series of images look like they have come out of a fantasy movie, but they were all taken in natural settings


Otherworldly: The series of images look like they have come out of a fantasy movie, but they were all taken in natural settings



Swarm: Mr Brady said he would scope out spots where he wanted to shoot during the daytime, although the fireflies often would not appear where he had hoped


Swarm: Mr Brady said he would scope out spots where he wanted to shoot during the daytime, although the fireflies often would not appear where he had hoped



Scene: The photographer said he enjoyed chasing the fireflies as he attempted to capture these impressive images


Scene: The photographer said he enjoyed chasing the fireflies as he attempted to capture these impressive images



Lighting up the sky: The fireflies appear to light up the night sky as the stars stream above them in this remarkable image, taken using time-lapse photography


Lighting up the sky: The fireflies appear to light up the night sky as the stars stream above them in this remarkable image, taken using time-lapse photography



‘I would scope out spots in the daytime to shoot, but often where I wanted to shoot wasn’t where they wanted to be so I’d always scramble in the blue hour just after the sun goes down as they begin the disco to set up a shot.


‘The moon was also a factor. In open areas along the lake where the only light shining was the moon they wouldn’t be active as they don’t like to compete with the moonlight.


‘It is good fun chasing them. Cruising along the lake under the stars with the fireflies lighting up the treeline is breathtaking.’


The light fantastic: Fireflies, pictured at the Lake of Ozarks, Missouri, surround a bridge as they light up the night sky


The light fantastic: Fireflies, pictured at the Lake of Ozarks, Missouri, surround a bridge as they light up the night sky



Breathtaking: Mr Brady said it was


Breathtaking: Mr Brady said it was ‘good fun chasing them. Cruising along the lake under the stars with the fireflies lighting up the treeline is breathtaking’



Photography: Mr Brady stacks his images, which are taken over a few seconds, to allow the flickering bugs to create vibrant beams of light against the still, dark backdrops


Photography: Mr Brady stacks his images, which are taken over a few seconds, to allow the flickering bugs to create vibrant beams of light against the still, dark backdrops





























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Watson and Holmes,


Baker Street, United Kingdom,


8 hours ago


Many Decades ago, my wife and I saw this magic in Corfu on our first holiday abroad. What made is all the more remarkable was that the fireflies appeared to flash in synchronism. A truly remarkable site, which we have never seen since. I do hope pollution will not destroy these beautiful insects.



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Article source: http://english.eastday.com/e/140328/u1a8004787.html


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