Sitting Pretty
Anna's Hummingbird taking a short rest.
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ViewBug 2017 Photography Awards: 502684 - 520551
Image Of The Month v25: 61601 - 68431
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Read more
Anna's Hummingbird taking a short rest.
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ViewBug 2017 Photography Awards: 502684 - 520551
Image Of The Month v25: 61601 - 68431
Birds On Branches: 13788 - 14259
Hummingbirds: 3302 - 3430
Read less
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ViewBug 2017 Photography Awards: 502684 - 520551
Image Of The Month v25: 61601 - 68431
Birds On Branches: 13788 - 14259
Hummingbirds: 3302 - 3430
Read less
Aug, 2017Views
1880
Likes
Awards
Contest Finalist in Just Hummingbirds Photo Contest
Peer Choice Award
Contest Finalist in Image Of The Month Photo Contest Vol 25
Contest Finalist in Hummingbirds Photo Contest
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Magnificent Capture
Superb Composition
All Star
Superior Skill
Genius
Outstanding Creativity
Emotions
Impressed
Top Ranks
Top 10 rankTop 20 rank week 1
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rank
Categories
Platinum
PRO
Platinum
PRO
kathyk_abq
September 05, 2017
This is just lovely! I love the monotones - so unusual in a hummingbird shot! :)
PRO
kenfowkes
September 05, 2017
Thank you Kathy, for the encouraging comment and for giving me the good news!
nandicmb
September 18, 2017
Congratulations on your Contest Finalist win in Hummingbirds Photo Contest!
PRO
PRO
AvigayilPhotography
September 10, 2018
I love how the bird (even though pastel as he is) stands out against the dull brown background! Lovely image! Congrats!!
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took this in my own back yard. I enjoy photographing wildlife in my own back yard because it helps me become familiar with my animal neighbors, and then I enjoy their visits even more.Time
This was taken about 10:30 in the morning, when this part of the garden is still in shade. Even lighting is wonderful for wildlife photography.Lighting
Although the bird, and just as importantly the background, were in shade, they were both open to the sky directly above, so the shade was bright enough to capture the scene at a reasonable ISO (640).Equipment
I used the Canon 6D DSLR with the EF 400mm F5.6 lens. I like this lens because it is sharp and not as heavy as faster lenses. But the closest that lens can focus is over 3 meters, so when shooting in the confines of my small back yard I add one or more extension tubes so I can focus closer.Inspiration
I enjoy the feeling of sharing space with other creatures, and getting out in the back yard with my camera in the morning is a wonderful way to experience that feeling.Editing
Although even shade is great for avoiding the loss of details due to over-exposed highlights or under-exposed shadows, the out-of-camera image can be quite dull, and that was the case here. To recover the colors and punch up the contrast I used levels adjustments in photoshop, with masking to localize them to just where they were most needed, the feathers of the bird. I also used photoshop to remove one distracting branch that poked up into the bottom of the frame.In my camera bag
My favorite lens is my 100mm macro. It is great for photographing bugs in the garden. After that, the 400mm (with extension tubes) is the one I use the most because it lets me see my backyard visitors up close and personal without scaring them away.Feedback
Although my 400mm lens is lighter that faster 400mm lenses, it is still not a light lens and has no image stabilization, so to insure I don't get motion blur I often shoot at 1/640 when hand-holding. I have heard that with good technique I should be able to shoot at 1/400, but after ruining many shots I gave up on that fantasy. It only takes a small amount of motion blur to loose the sharpness around the eyes that is so important for wildlife photography. I find that a little more noise due to the higher ISO is much less objectionable. It look me a long time to learn this lesson! Another important thing when shooting hummingbirds is to take lots of shots, even when they seem still. The colors in their feathers are highly directional, and very slight movements can make them brighten or disappear completely. You'll be surprised at the color variations from shot to shot. And don't be afraid to under-expose a bit -- that will insure those bright colors are captured accurately.
