Hummingbird Hover XI B&W Redux
Jun, 2016Views
301
Likes
Awards
People's Choice in B&W Animals Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Magnificent Capture
Superior Skill
Outstanding Creativity
Absolute Masterpiece
Categories
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
This was a shot taken at out local Missouri Conservation Center. They have a couple wonderful flower gardens planted and have attracted a small number of migrating hummingbirds each year.Time
I captured this shot in the late morning as the sun was just about to get covered back up by clouds. I was getting about two minutes of sun for every 10 of cloudiness.Lighting
Natural lighting for wildlife is the goal 99% of the time. You need plenty of light for catching hummingbirds in flight.Equipment
I used my aging Nikon D7000 along with a Tokina 100-300 f/4 lens. I shoot handheld for most of my wildlife shots.Inspiration
I am fascinated by the beauty and speed of hummingbirds. I try to capture a bit of their unique personality and behavior in each shot. My goal is to capture in flight territory rivalry showdowns.Editing
Basic Lightroom post processing on this shot. Covert to black and white, crop, increase blacks, drop highlights, and sharpen just a hair.In my camera bag
My backpack always has my D7000 and my 4 lenses, along with a timer remote, a couple Meinke flashes, remote triggers, a few filters, and cleaning supplies.Feedback
Patience, patience, and a bit more patience. There is a lot of sitting and waiting for this type of shot. You don't necessarily need to be camouflaged, but sitting still is key to getting them to act naturally when your in fairly close. Faster glass would certainly help as well; something that I could use more of myself! If you enjoy hummingbirds, it's worth the wait to see the show.
