FIREFLY JOURNEY

words and images by Radim Schreiber

Growing up in former Czechoslovakia, now the Czech Republic, I saw fireflies only once. It was deep in the forest, just a few, glowing steadily. Mostly, I knew fireflies from myths and fairytales, as they were so rare there. Even after summer nights spent at Boy Scout camps, I still hadn't seen them. So, it was quite a shock when I moved to Iowa at the age of 20 for college and found fireflies everywhere: in backyards, forests, and meadows.

In college, I became deeply interested in digital photography, and then in its early stages. I was intrigued by photographing insects on my way to school each morning. Grasshoppers, praying mantises, spiders, and butterflies, cold and covered in dew, were perfect subjects, offering a close-up view people hadn't often seen. I loved discovering this alien world.

For my final project in fine arts and photography for my bachelor's degree, I curated an exhibit. Around that time, I dreamt of photographing a firefly glowing on a blade of grass with the moon behind it. I thought it impossible with the cameras of the time, which were poor in low light. I waited about five years for technology to catch up. Cameras improved significantly. I bought the latest model and managed a few shots of a firefly on a basil leaf in my garden, thrilled by the success. The following year brought an even better camera, which I promptly acquired, spending the entire summer photographing. It was incredibly joyful; I wouldn't miss a night, not even on my birthday. That summer, I captured a photograph that later won a Smithsonian photography contest, chosen from 50,000 submissions. My gallery exhibit, featuring fireflies, dim lights, and nature sounds, resonated deeply with people who had never seen fireflies and their glow captured on camera before.

This success motivated me to continue photographing fireflies, eventually leading me to transition from my job to become a full-time photographer specializing in them.

My experiences with fireflies deepened as I learned more about these fascinating creatures. Initially, I focused on close-ups in the grass at dusk. Then, I wondered if I could photograph them in a landscape format. Wandering into the forest, I was amazed. Forest fireflies didn't sparkle like those in meadows under the stars; instead, they glowed slowly, turning on and off. It was a beautiful sight. As I continued through the dark forest, the illumination all around me lit my path in the darkness. I felt like I was in a wonderland, hovering weightless through the trees. It was a joyful experience that connected me deeply to nature and the universe; I felt entirely at home.

This experience fueled my desire to learn more about fireflies and their diverse species, prompting me to travel and witness different kinds. There are over 2,500 species worldwide, most of which have unique flashing patterns for species recognition. They also glow in various colors: orange, yellow, yellow-green, and green, of varying sizes, with some rare and endangered species. They inhabit different environments and appear at other times of the year and night.
My fascination grew, leading me to connect with world-leading scientists to share my experiences and learn from them.

I use two distinct photography techniques for fireflies. I also record videos and collaborate with organizations like National Geographic and the BBC on documentaries.

In the early evening, my close-up technique involves getting within about 10 inches of a firefly, hoping to snap the precise moment it flashes, which is a challenge because the bioluminescence is both random and quick. I have only about fifteen minutes of usable light each night before it gets too dark to see them.

Later at night, I focus on landscape photography with fireflies, which requires a steady tripod and very long exposures—seconds, minutes, or even hours. I often combine multiple photographs into one seamless image, extending the camera's effective exposure duration.

As a full-time artist and firefly photographer, I travel the country, exhibiting my prints and artwork at shows, galleries, museums, and botanical gardens. I meet thousands of people annually, and it's incredibly enriching to share my joy for fireflies. I love seeing how my work helps people reconnect with childhood memories of fireflies and rediscover the beauty and joy in the natural world. It's truly fulfilling.

I deeply enjoy fireflies and all of nature. Through my work, I hope people realize that even something as small as a backyard firefly can be profoundly beautiful, and that protecting our natural world, of which we are a part, is essential.