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Thread: Capturing Hummers

  1. #21
    Senior Member bob williams's Avatar
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    Re: Capturing Hummers



    Quote Originally Posted by Bill W


    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/


    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

  2. #22
    Senior Member bob williams's Avatar
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    Re: Capturing Hummers



    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

  3. #23
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    Re: Capturing Hummers



    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

  4. #24
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    Re: Capturing Hummers



    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

  5. #25
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    Re: Capturing Hummers



    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

  6. #26
    Senior Member bob williams's Avatar
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    Re: Capturing Hummers



    Quote Originally Posted by JJphoto


    you cropped a little too much(bird looks a little too big and just about to loss detail)

    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.


    Quote Originally Posted by JJphoto
    a little noisy

    Hmm, I don't see it, Perhaps my monitor, my eyes---But I will be mindfull in post next time.


    Quote Originally Posted by JJphoto


    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)

    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

  7. #27
    Senior Member bob williams's Avatar
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    Re: Capturing Hummers



    Quote Originally Posted by ddt0725


    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! [img]/emoticons/emotion-21.gif[/img] I am very impressed (and envious)!

    Denise
    <div style="CLEAR: both"]</div>

    Thanks Denise, I appreciate the support.


    Bob
    Bob

  8. #28
    Senior Member bob williams's Avatar
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    Re: Capturing Hummers



    Quote Originally Posted by Tom Wertman
    With all of that light I thought you might be able to knock the ISO down even more. What lens are you using?

    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

  9. #29
    Senior Member Bill W's Avatar
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    Re: Capturing Hummers



    Bob....nice job. I agree w/Tom, ifthe bird'seye(s) are notsharp the photo gets the big "D".


    On my monitor (or my eyes)your noiseis a non-issue, but as JJ pointed out the cropping is tight. But, I'll assume your feeder is right in front of the HB's beak and you wanted it out of the picture.


    I also have a tendency to crop too tightly and then increase size as large as possible....sometimes 100% to getas muchdetail of their feathers (scales?).


    Also, I like the your wing detail (though I don't shoot much over 1/1000th and I will go as low as 1/80th). IMO, it's a nice balance of movement and detail.


    You have given me some motivation Bob....I've been toying w/the idea of purchasing some painters' lamps and bulbs w/Kelvin ratings of 2700 to 5000k to help light up my area when the shade moves in.


    BTW....are these Calliopes?



  10. #30
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    Re: Capturing Hummers



    Spending money on lighting is not necessary if your Hummers are in a good spot. My technique described above explains how I do it. Unfortunately until Bryan can get this forum back to normal my included samples are not available. Not complaining I know he is hard at work.


    Bob, can you get the lighting up higher above the Hummers? It may bring out more of the colors. Just a thought...


    Tom

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