Anna's Hummingbird
Jan, 2015Views
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Awards
Featured
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Contest Finalist in 500 Hummingbirds Photo Contest
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Superior Skill
Magnificent Capture
Outstanding Creativity
All Star
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken outside my kitchen window.Time
I shot it in the early afternoon in open shade with a large off white wall bouncing light from the far side of the bird.Lighting
I used a Nikon SB-800 speedlight on a light stand. The flash was set on manual at 128th power with no modifiers. I triggered the SB-800 speedlight with a pocket wizard TT1 on the camera hot shoe and a FlexTT5 on the flash. The camera was set on high speed sync and the speedlight was positioned about 3 feet from the bird.Equipment
I was 10-15 feet away. I was handholding a Nikon D5100 camera with a 105 f/2.8 AF-D Micro lens (157mm on the DX crop sensor). I used manual mode at 1/2500 of a sec at f/4, ISO 1600. Raw, flash white balance and high speed sync. I reduced power output of the flash to 1/128, as that shortened the flash duration which acts as a shutter speed effectively. With high speed flash sync you need the flash to be very close to the subject, which it was. Focus was single point and AF-C (auto-focus continuous) mode.Inspiration
I saw a lot of hummingbird activity outside my kitchen window. I had been watching it for days while standing at the sink washing dishes. Finally I thought I would have a lot of chances to get a decent photo. Also, hummingbirds are amazing and beautiful and to look at. Looking at one closely for as long as you want requires a still photograph and I had the needed equipment and knowledge.Editing
I always shoot raw and so I always post process my files to my liking.In my camera bag
I have used Nikon gear since 1968. Not because it is better than other brands, just because over the years I have collected lots of lenses and flashes and have learned my cameras operation very well. I have made nice photos with many cameras. I have a Canon S90 and S100 that I have taken amazing photos with. You just need to understand the gear and its limitations. Some photographs require certain gear to accomplish, so if you don't have the gear you need to pick another subject that you can shoot with the gear you have.Feedback
This type of photograph requires control of as many elements that you can control. Obviously I cannot control the hummingbird, but knowing the location where I would likely see the bird(s) often, I can set up a speedlight close to the bird, select a position that has a pleasing background and wait. I captured 19 images. The one I posted was shot 17. The first 13 shots were on a more cluttered/busy background, so I moved position slightly to get a brighter, less busy background and it also had a softer more pleasing bokeh. This type of shot, once you have all the gear set-up, requires you to pay more attention to looking at the background and selecting a camera position that will give the most pleasing background that does not conflict with the main subject. That is true with outdoor portraits as well. I should mention that I usually do not post my personal images online or on any social media site. I have never sold a photograph that was shot for my own pleasure. That said, I have been a professional photographer for over 40 years shooting images for others.
