Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

After I study a photo and think about for a while I almost always think of a way I could have do something differently to improve the next attempt.

I had moved my camera far from the subject to extend my depth of field and that worked, but I think I over did it a bit. Next I'm going move closer to the subject so I will not need to crop so much. This will reveal even more detail in the feathers. This will also let me place my flashes closer to the bird to get more light on on the subject.

I might need to use a short extension tube but there is very little penalty for doing that. I'm after more magnification while still using most of the available sensor. This will throw the background more out of focus but I'm okay with that. I have other things to do today, including celebrating my wife's Birthday at a new French restaurant that recently opened. I also invited a mutual friend and his wife who was both my wife and I were friends with since early childhood. There is something special about have friends who share so much history.

Merlin, a new 16 slot battery charger arrived in yesterday's mail so I can keep all my batteries charged for the flashes. More hardware!$!$!$

Pysanka Artist Loc: Rochester, NY

Spot on!! Fantastic!

Merlin1300 Loc: New England, But Now & Forever SoTX

You're a trooper - - Can't wait for your next photo :)

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

I moved closer to my hummingbird feeder and studio and discovered that I will not need an extension tube. I then set up all my flashes closer to the small area that I'll be watching. I go a chance to test everything out and could see that it was going to work. Then the drizzle of a light rain started. I brought in my flashes before they got damaged by the rain. The hummingbirds decided it was also too cold and wet for them. They stopped visiting the feeder.

I need to wait for a dryer day.

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

Sadly, I think it's time to call it quits. It's a nice day with no rain. I set up my equipment and waited for hours. No humming birds showed up. I think they have switched over from nectar to bugs. I'll leave the feeder up for a while, but if the birds remain absent I'll take the feeder down.

I did not get the ultimate hummer photo that I have in my mind but I got some very good ones. I entered two prints into my camera clubs contest. I'll find out next week if I won. I never even spotted a male this year.