Another hummingbird!

[OldClicker]

Yes another one. Here is one of my latest images with the continuing story. I think that I am now getting good light to pick up the throat and green back. Now if I could just get a male to try it on. This female is still chasing anything that comes near.






I'm now using four flashes at 1/8 power at max flash sync speed (1/160 sec on my A350). I'm also using a variable neutral density filter (Veri-ND) and adjusting it until my non-flash exposure is 5 stops below a centered meter. This completely removes any ambient light that may cause blurring. Here is the current set up.





Another tidbit I learned from a long time HB shooter is that you need to set your flashes to the same flash duration or the difference will cause ghosting. If all your flashes are the same model, you simply set them all to the same power and adjust the brightness by moving them closer or farther away. If you are using different brands/models, you have some searching to do. I have not been able to find duration data for Sony.

Terry

[tayl0124]

Pretty impressive!!

[hminx]

I guessed shots like that didn't just happen.......
Is this the normal setup for a good HB shot ?

[OldClicker]

Shawn - thanks.

Pete - Some are far more elaborate - especially when they start getting the plant, etc. in the shot.

Terry

[Anbesol]

Clicker - same critique as before, I would like to see more contrast, and in particular deeper blacks in the background. Otherwise, excellent shot as usual.

[OldClicker]

Clicker - same critique as before, I would like to see more contrast, and in particular deeper blacks in the background. Otherwise, excellent shot as usual.

I'm not getting it. You want the green to go all the way to black? Like it's night? I was thinking that the upper 'border' was too heavy as it is. - Terry

[Anbesol]

I was thinking that the background didn't seem to tonally match the vividness of the hummingbird, and a brighter contrast was necessary. I tried an edit myself,.maybe its too contrasty though.

[OldClicker]

I think the bird may be over-cooked. When I'm doing post processing on things like this, I tend to do a little more of everything each time until I've gone way too far. - Terry

[corei5]

:O you didnt scare the bird with those equipments around O_O

I like it. so simple but so attractive

[EOSThree]

Well you've completely ruined the idea that these are spontaneous. That's quite a set up.

These are definitely the best you've posted so far.

I see now that the background isn't some random bush or something, but something that you've staged. I would like to see more separation between the background and the subject. You might want to try a much darker background.

[OldClicker]

:O you didnt scare the bird with those equipments around O_O

I like it. so simple but so attractive

Thank you. They get use to the camera, flash and me. I've had them eating out of the flower while I'm filling it with the eye dropper (which I have to do after every visit). - TF

[OldClicker]

Well you've completely ruined the idea that these are spontaneous. That's quite a set up.

These are definitely the best you've posted so far.

I see now that the background isn't some random bush or something, but something that you've staged. I would like to see more separation between the background and the subject. You might want to try a much darker background.

Spontaneous - no. I've put in a couple of hours or more most every day for three weeks to get the technique down this much.

The BG is a printout of an OOF bright spot in the trumpet vine where the flower came from for my first HB shot. I'll try something darker.

Terry

[Coastal Flyer]

Wonderful shots. And you are improving with each posting. I am really impressed. Thanks for sharing your work.

David

[AgingEyes]

Hmm...with all those flash lights you should be able to freeze the wing movement much better than this...unless that wasn't your intention I said that because you could get similar result without using flash. The hummingbird seems to be angled off the film-plane a bit. The bird may be a little bit over-cooked as you said. And I personally would rather see the all-green background.

Good try and keep it up !

[OldClicker]

David, Thanks.

AE, I think most of the wing blur is because they are out of the DoF, but you are right about the flash freezing the wings. I need to get them closer so that I can use a lower power which will give a shorter flash duration. For instance, the flash duration of most at full power is typically only 1/400 to 1/1000 sec. I'm at 1/8 power and this still may not be fast enough to stop the wings. Also, on this one she is still lined up straight and not reacting to the camera/flash (yet). When they are darting away (as with most of my captures), the wings beat much, much faster.

Terry

[Grandpaw]

In my opinion a hummingbird shot needs to have a little blur in the wings to look right. If you stop the action it will ruin the shot. Looks to me like you very serious about getting these pictures and it shows. Nice work, Jeff

[GB1]

Wow, kick butt photo !!!!!

To nit pick, I would darken the background w/o darkening the birdie. I would also consider cropping more off the right side.. I tried this, pretty close to the bird's tail, and somehow it just looks better.

One day I may try this. Looks tough. Glad we all have digital cameras instead of film.

G

[LeeIs]

First of all, amazing photo, really top notch this one.

Now for possible improvement. I think the brown edges kinda muddy this up a bit. From the wonderful 'set-up' photo you provided, i see it's an image in the bg. I would suggest trying a different backdrop that is mostly green. u can go as dark or light a green as exactly in this current bg without introducing the brown hues. That's just me nitpicking of what might make this photos better. i can imagine in my brain vibrant greens even really dark almost black greens are fine, i just don't like the brownish tint to the edges. i think it connects too much with the hues of the bird. hope that helped! :-)

[OldClicker]

Jeff, Greg, Liban - Thank you. I think I'm done with the liitle guys for now since they have mostly left, but will keep all the suggestions in mind when they come back next spring. I have my two 'finalists' for competition almost ready and will post them soon for critique and comparison.

Again, thanks to all who have helped me.

Terry