First try of humming birds
Aug 4, 2017 10:15:06 #
From about 700 shots... Cropped in PP. I thought i was shooting tight but there is a lot of white-space on the originals. I'd have to timber a tall tree for better lighting. Many weeks of good weather remain to work on technique.
Aug 4, 2017 10:50:50 #
Aug 4, 2017 10:58:00 #
Beautiful and shy little birds, good job getting images of this illusive little fellow. I've been waiting all summer to get a decent shot at mine...
Aug 4, 2017 11:06:14 #
Thanks. Canon 7d, 100-300 zoom all the way. 400iso 1/350 or so. no flash,
Aug 4, 2017 11:07:03 #
Aug 4, 2017 11:48:58 #
PhotoKurtz wrote:
Thanks. Canon 7d, 100-300 zoom all the way. 400iso 1/350 or so. no flash,
You have to shoot faster. Start with 1/1000 boost your ISO if needed to keep it up there. Center spot focus on the eye.
Aug 4, 2017 12:04:45 #
Good thought. I'll just ask him to hold right there while I focus on his eye. all good thoughts; bumped iso to 2000.
Aug 4, 2017 12:09:41 #
I shoot 1/1000 to 1/1500 f5.6 75mm_300mm iso 800 av mode on my 7d. I also bump the tracking up for small birds.
Aug 4, 2017 12:14:16 #
I shoot a lot of hummingbirds myself. I'd like to offer a few pointers...
1. You can get closer, much closer (as close as your lens MFD will allow). The hummers are skittish but they are brave. The trick is for you to be present and keep inching ever closer. Usually it'd take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes before the hummers will just accept you as part of the scenery.
2. Your shutter speed is a bit slow. I've shot at this speed and it's OK provided the bird doesn't move. Any slight movement will make the image blurry.
3. For a long time I shoot without flashes but I've changed my mind. The hummers are not scared of flashes nor do they seem to be affected by it. Flash will freeze the motion and light up the scene a bit better, allowing slower shutter speeds and better ISO.
4. Try to take pictures with them feeding on real flowers. Feeder photos are good practice but not very special.
Sample of one of my pictures (taken with flash, uncropped - 7DII, 100-400mm f/4.3-5.6L II, @ 400mm, f/5.6, 1/400, ISO 800)
1. You can get closer, much closer (as close as your lens MFD will allow). The hummers are skittish but they are brave. The trick is for you to be present and keep inching ever closer. Usually it'd take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes before the hummers will just accept you as part of the scenery.
2. Your shutter speed is a bit slow. I've shot at this speed and it's OK provided the bird doesn't move. Any slight movement will make the image blurry.
3. For a long time I shoot without flashes but I've changed my mind. The hummers are not scared of flashes nor do they seem to be affected by it. Flash will freeze the motion and light up the scene a bit better, allowing slower shutter speeds and better ISO.
4. Try to take pictures with them feeding on real flowers. Feeder photos are good practice but not very special.
Sample of one of my pictures (taken with flash, uncropped - 7DII, 100-400mm f/4.3-5.6L II, @ 400mm, f/5.6, 1/400, ISO 800)
Aug 4, 2017 12:34:04 #
Good info. Nice shot! I'll open the f-stop a bit. Always trade offs.
Aug 4, 2017 12:34:12 #
I find that's it's a bit easier to prefocus on a flower and try to get them coming in or taking off. It's a situation where they tend to hover for a bit. One of the hardest birds to get in focus. I also found that when I changed to back button focus things improved. Don't give up.
Aug 4, 2017 12:37:56 #
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