Capturing Hummers

Bob, in my honest opinion many of your shots from last season and already this season ARE that "awesome shot! I have never seen someone so dedicated and to havewatched that dedication unfold from "ok" to "awesome" as much as your shots of hummingbirds has!


[:)] If you really want the "ultimate" shot, try something like this ...


http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.abigailsings.com/hummingbirds/IMG_0892r-sm.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.abigailsings.com/hummingbirds/&usg=__sXO-aQg66HyiPpSavCsP7u0qMV0=&h=400&w=600&s z=50&hl=en&start=39&sig2=VTGoAraCVA9mf 1SmebPz0A&zoom=1&tbnid=P3EMdXH4C45IcM:&amp ;tbnh=155&tbnw=204&ei=PBb4TYmMMM-3tgeh_rnHCg&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dhummingbird%2Bphotos%26hl%3Den%26sa%3 DX%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us%26biw%3D1149%26bih%3D498%26tbm%3Disch&itbs= 1&iact=hc&vpx=669&vpy=204&dur=32&a mp;hovh=183&hovw=275&tx=165&ty=154&amp ;page=5&ndsp=10&ved=1t:429,r:8,s:39&bi w=1149&bih=498


To me, my mostfavorite shots of hb's, are ones that are taking of them feeding from flowers. The beauty of the bird, theflower and the nature aspect of it makes it appeal most to me. Such as this ...

http://www.faqs.org/photo-dict/phrase/347/hummingbird.html

Denise

I got so wrapped up in what I wanted to say to you that I totally forgot to mention this. I mentioned before about how I was going to give my hb's about another week to return and then just remove my cloth background hanging from my garage and my feeders. Well, tonight I was sitting on my patio hoping to get a few shots in after work before it got too dark and lo and behold, what do I see sitting on my makeshift perch I have set up for the finches and other backyard birds ....


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3661/...be9325f1_b.jpg

Happy Happy, Joy Joy!!!

Could someone please tell me if the photo I posted above is of a female ruby-throated hummingbird or of a female Anna hummingbird? I have other photos of her sitting alittle straighter if that would help. The females seem to be very similar but the males are quite different which I haven

It's a female ruby-throated HB. The female Anna's usually has some color on the throat, while the female ruby-throat is usually white, as in your pic. Also, most HB's in the US are found in the western half of the country, some in the Rockies and TX, more along the West Coast. So, odds are that any HB you see in the wild (or in your yard) east of the Rockies is a ruby-throated HB.

Thanks, John!

Bob, first let me say; seldom do I comment on color and exposure due to the inherent differences of our machines. Secondly, I don't offer too much C&C because I feel I'm wandering confused thru this topic and so who am I to offer advice.


So, with those 2 caveats expressed here comes my opinion on the pix.


1. composition, I like tight shots of birds (any animal really) to show their detail, e.g. feathers, fur, etc. This doesn't mean I throw out the rule of 1/3rds when I crop, but it doesn't necessarily mean I adhere to it religiously either.


2. Yes, your shots always look dark to me, but refer to my first caveat. When I expose for a shot, I always (try to) expose to as far right on the internal light meter avoiding blowing out exposure....not always successful....this is for PP purposes.


3. I agree about your background, for (buttery) smooth bokeh keep your background simple (eliminate multiple colors) and shallow (DOF, more later, #7). Your wall is the (IMHO) perfect background, just put some sand color paint on it for an even surface. My cousin (ABQ), boy I hate referring to a Nikonian [;)], has the same wall w/a painted surface. Great background for capturing HBs hovering or sipping from a feeder/plant.


example [img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/450x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/12/7450.BTHB-II.jpg[/img]


4. My flowers aren't in bloom yet....so I try to capture different poses; e.g. feet down, odd contortions, etc. to have variety in my shots. But I'm not against shooting them at the feeder.


5. 3rd flash coming down on the subject? I'd ask a strobist on this one....Sean?


6. This is a personal choice of each photog...do what makes you happy.


7. DOF....the f stop you're using is one I use for landscapes or I stop down further when I want a deeper in-focus behind the subject. When I want a "smoother" bokeh, I open up (500mm) the f stop to between f4 and f5.6 for my HBs.


8. "More elements" IMO takes away from the subject; HB.....I try to keep mine as simple as possible....fewer distractions for the viewers' eye.


Here's a pic of my 2011 Studio (HB & Butterfly garden) taken at 400p facing west.


[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/650x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/12/8308.garden-2011.jpg[/img]


Well Bob I hope my input helps.


Regards


Bill

Nice capture Denise...I like the perch.


Patience D, patience....they will find you.

@Bill, Wow, Thanks. I really appreciate you taking the time to answer/comment on so many questions. Oh, I also have to thank you for posting a photo of your beautiful garden---My wife saw it and now she wants one[:S]. Of course, so do I.


Anyway, I am like you, I do like getting a real good tight portrait shot of almost any animal, but I also understand people wanting to see an animal in a natural setting---Guess I have to figure out how to balance the two.


I did go back and adjust exposure more to the middle of the histogram and it did improve the shot--thanks. I'll try and get right in camera next time.


As far as the flash coming down on the subject, I agree---I have 5 flashes but don't have enough PWs for all of them. I thought I could use the IR trigger built in to the 580exII, but it is unreliable outside---perhaps more practice or closing the distance will improve this.


DOF: My primary objective is to get most of the birds body (especially the head and eyes) in sharp focus---I'll try and open the aperture enough to achieve a better bokeh, but not at the expense of focus. If I can't, then I'll have to increase distance to background-----

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bill W

"More elements" IMO takes away from the subject; HB.....I try to keep mine as simple as possible....fewer distractions for the viewers' eye.

---

My thoughts as well---


Thanks again Bill for all your help-----My hibiscus finally bloomed, so now I must go out and sacrifice one of those flowers, load it up with sugar water and see what hits it.





Bob

tightly cropped, enlarged to 100%, just for the fun of it.


[img]/resized-image.ashx/__size/700x0/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/12/1220.mHB-tongue-copy.jpg[/img]


ISO 800, f7.1, 1/800 w/500mm, 7D on tripod, approximately 16 feet from subject

Wow....great shot Bill.