Just wondering did anybody catch Nature's Magic in Air (repeat) on your local PBS station?
If not, you should; superb video shots and commentary on a large variety of HBs.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/hummingbirds-magic-in-the-air/introduction/5424/
Originally Posted by Bill W
Had downloaded it and have just seen it...
WOW! Pretty cool documentary on hummingbirds. Now I know why you guys all love to take shots of them. They are something special.
Very cool and thanks for telling Bill.
This show is wonderful---Wish I was in South America---well maybe not---But those birds are just to cool. Would love to shoot some of those.
Bob
Sorry for ignoring the string these past few days, but I was so excited about the lightning, the birds took a back seat. Anyway, I was back out this evening and I think I figured acouple ofthings out. You guys tell me:
1. The noise, I adjusted exposure so that I didn't have to push in post. I also dropped my ISO by half
2. This is a taste thing, But the wing blur is about like I want it. It shows some detail, but also shows some movement without the ghosting (Shutter speed 2000)------ 4000+ does a pretty good job atfreezing thewings.
On this set, I was still trying to light up the iridescent feathers so I used a 400 watt halogen shop light at about a 30 degree angle from the bird and 2 feet away (Surprisingly, this didn't seem to bother them)---And my on camera speed light set at 1/8th. Unfortunately, the heavily colored birds weren't interested in modeling for me---They were more interested in defending the feeder than eating from it.
So here are my results, please tell me if you think I got 1 and 2 right. I will say that I am tired of the green background and need to put some flowers in the pic---but for now, I was just trying to get some of the technique down.
Settings: ISO 800, F 5.6, 1/2000. One 400 watt halogen light, on camera Speedlight set to 1/8th, tripod, remote.
Thanks,
Bob
Bob
Bob,
Much better! The eye is sharp in each shot and for me that is key. If the eye is not sharp than the shot is not a keeper. With all of that light I thought you might be able to knock the ISO down even more. What lens are you using?
Tom
Tom, I am using the 100-400 and this time I pulled it back to about 320mm. The ISO is what I needed to get the back ground lit up at at these shutter speeds. Now, I think I can afford to drop the shutter even more and still get my desired effect. As far as the back ground---That is a group of trees about 100 Yards away---so I am kind of stuck with that until I build some kind background stand. I also have been shooting in the late afternoon so the ambient light starts to change rapidly on me.
Thanks for the remarks,
Bob
Bob
Bob -
I love the second and last one!! Wow, what a difference from your first set! You're determination & dedication are sure paying off ...I think you have the camera settings and lighting set uppretty darn good now! [Y] I am very impressed (and envious)!
Denise
Thanks Denise, I appreciate the support.
Bob
Bob
OK, Bob, this is what I think
you cropped a little too much(bird looks a little too big and just about to loss detail)
a little noisy
lighting feels a little "flat"(I don't know if it's a correct word to describe it and also don't know how to make it better and maybe I'm totally wrong.I just feel that way and I guess that's why Joel uses multi flash)
other than that, they are great shots and everybody can see a great improvement from your first set.
just my 2 cents
Agree, I purposely went a little wider to increase my chances of catching the birds, which means I had to crop about 50% when I did catch a bird----But, Like you, I didn't care for the end result. I don't think I'll use that approach again.
Hmm, I don't see it, Perhaps my monitor, my eyes---But I will be mindfull in post next time.
Agree, I am still not happy with the on camera speedlight--The halogen light didn't seem to add much either. I also didn't like the "two" lightsources reflecting in the eyes.
JJ, Thanks for your input and critique, it is very useful.
Bob
Bob
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