Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

Yesterday I gave a seminar at my home to over a dozen people explaining how to take hummingbird photos like mine. Below are some photos were taken at the event that explains how I did it.

In the photo you can see me standing next to the camera and lens I used, aimed out the window towards the bird feeder. I crank the window open when I take the photos.

The third photo shows my secret:
This is a transparency I had printed at the same place that does my prints. The transparency is placed over a big hole I cut into the lid of a white Styrofoam ice chest. A second hole was cut into the top where I inserted a slave flash. If you look to the left and above, you will see a live flower hanging down from a flower pot, outside my window. That’s the same flowers that I photographed to make the transparency. You can also see a pink tube next to the flower outside. The tube is a feeding tube that the birds like to feed from. You will also see part of a step ladder with another flash sitting on one of the steps.

I place the Styrofoam chest on the far side of the live flower and nectar feeding tube, resting on a step of the ladder. When I trigger a remote control, four flashes next to the bird fire at the same time. Flooding the bird with light from all sides. At the same time the flash extending down into the white box fires, illuminating the transparency for a brief instant of time, providing a background for the photo that is balanced for exposure with the rest of the photo.

The result is the bit of magic that some of you have bought from me.

So you might ask, “Is this fake?” I answer "No, it not fake. You are seeing the actual flowers the bird is coming to, to feed. I just found a way to properly expose the bird and the background properly at the same time."

Me standing next to my 300mm f2.8 w/1.4 TC


A member of my audience examining a canvas wrap.


The light box with background


The light box being placed in posistion.

pgr Loc: Alabama

Very interesting & neat technique... you sure do get some great shots!

dljen Loc: Central PA

When I saw this picture, I asked Dave if I could buy a copy. I have it hanging in my house now and have had many compliments on it. Love it! :wink:

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

Thanks Donna,

Below is the photo Donna is taking about.

When Donna said she wanted to buy a copy I had four made. I ended up selling two, I kept one, and today I took the forth to a local pizza shop. It's now hanging on the wall on consignment. If it sells Okay, if not it lends a little class to the pizza shop.

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cntry Loc: Colorado

Thanks so much for the info...I have saved it for future use.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

:thumbup: :thumbup:

CHOLLY Loc: THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE!

Dave, you're the man!! The MASTER!! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

CHOLLY Loc: THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE!

Hey Dave; imagine my suprise today at seeing one of your patented Hummingbird photos in the Gary Friedman A77II manual!

I thought, "gee, that looks like Davethehiker's work" and then I saw where Gary gave you credit for it!

Now I know a celebrity! :mrgreen:

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

8-) :oops: :thumbup: Thanks for the note.

Gary is a very skilled tech writer. I got a free copy of the book in return for letting him use that Photo.

The A77M2 is a heck of a good camera. It's my current favorite.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Thanks for the technique example. I couldn't help noticing that you have the extension on the tripod extended about 1/2 way. I this a problemas as most people say that this compromizes stability and recommend against it.

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

Hummm... I guess I just like to crank the camera up high enough so I don't need to bend my back. I have never had a problem with it falling! Funny that you mention tripods. That's a very old tripod that I have been using for about thirty years. A few days ago it started to give me problems with the locks on the legs failing to hold. This has nothing to do with cranking up the center extension. I think the springs in the locking mechanism have just worn out. I just ordered a new Gitzo GK1542-80QD tripod. 1K$ :!:

UPS says it will arrive Wednesday.

If you want to see a more scary unstable looking tripod, I have attached a photo of my homemade "Zero gravity tripod"
That is cz 24~70mm f/2.8 lens mounted on it. I would not use a bigger lens.
This one did "kind of" fall over on me once. Because of the way I attach my backpack under it, it was not able to fall all the way over, the backpack stopped it falling all the way over.

I notice that the Gitzo includes a hook where I can attach my backpack.

BTW, I was able to buy some parts a Home Despot for under $5 and was able to repair my old Aluminum tripod, at least it's working for now. :shock:

without the legs

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Full assembeled

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joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Excellent work. :thumbup:

I'm not that advanced with hummers but I'm working on it.

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Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Dave - Glad to see updates to your chronicled technique:
FAQ: How Does David DeBar Capture Those Incredible Hummingbird Images?
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-60880-1.html