Shooting Hummingbirds with point and shoot digital camera! I was out at the lake today and not having my DSLR with me; I come across this hummingbird, lucky enough I had my point and...

Jwilliams0469 Loc: Topeka, Ks.

I was out at the lake today and not having my DSLR with me; I come across this hummingbird, lucky enough I had my point and shoot with me in my car. Normally, I wouldn't have even attempted something like this but I took my chances. Here is the outcome and just for the record I used my FujiFilm S1800, shutter speed 1/125sec., f stop: f/5.6, ISO 200, with 1/3 flash on. I think for a point and shoot, it did an amazing job! What do you think?

Hummingbird at Lake Shawnee in Topeka, KS.

arphot Loc: Massachusetts

Quite a find. I've only seen a couple in my near 50 years so I'm a bit jealous here. My quick shots have not even come close. Nice job here for a fast capture. For some inspiring images of these lil buggers: http://good-e-nuf.deviantart.com/

Jwilliams0469 Loc: Topeka, Ks.

arphot wrote:

Quite a find. I've only seen a couple in my near 50 years so I'm a bit jealous here. My quick shots have not even come close. Nice job here for a fast capture. For some inspiring images of these lil buggers: http://good-e-nuf.deviantart.com/

Thank you! I like the site as well... Little green bird is my favorite on there! These little guys are fast and small, I really didn't expect this great of an out come on a P+S camera...

Jwilliams0469 Loc: Topeka, Ks.

I've decided to add some more I took with the same camera today after I photographed the bird. These are all from the lake! I hope to hear comments and critics about all of these, thanks!

He smiled for me!

A lonely pink lily

An open view (Panorama) First time ever doing one!

arphot Loc: Massachusetts

I would first ask what kind of camera you are using? Point and shoot? DSLR?

The 1st on of the goose is actually a nice composition, but lacks pop. I like the angle, but the colors are bland.

Same with the 2nd shot . . . it could use a little more pop. Again, I like your eye for comp.

Panoramas are fun, huh? But . . . it's a little small. It's hard to appreciate the scenery with that size image. It has little contrast due to the minimal landscape colors. Get down a little lower next time and avoid the bush in the foreground and the branch overhead.

Are you using any photo editing software?

Jwilliams0469 Loc: Topeka, Ks.

arphot wrote:

I would first ask what kind of camera you are usin... (show quote)

I was using an FujiFilm S1800 Point and shoot as stated above. I didn't have my DSLR with me at the time because it was supposed to storm. I do have CS4 as a editing software but haven't ever used it on Point and shoot photographs only for raw photographs.

Thanks for the comments and advice, I'll see what I can do to add a little pop to them. If you'd like to send some advice, please do, after all it is what I'm looking for!

Thanks!

This is the one I thought to be a better shot (No editing on any of these was done)

Not sure what type of plant but nice red tones

OnTheFly Loc: Tennessee

That is some kind of point and shoot. I love the shot of the humming bird. Good color saturation and good depth of field for such a shot. The red plant also looks good.

arphot Loc: Massachusetts

Sorry about not rereading the post. Once I was at that last post I zoned out on the obvious info. Photoshop is great for JPEG adjustments. Especially if you're posting on forums and such.

Jwilliams0469 Loc: Topeka, Ks.

Okay, so after a little bit of playing around with the goose, I got this! Please tell me what you think! Thanks!

Edited of the Goose!

Sugarpenny Loc: Mid Michigan

I don't think that's a humming bird...I think it is a moth...that looks like ahumming bird. Can't remember the name of them..but still good shot!

arphot Loc: Massachusetts

OK . . . for sure you got some pop there. Image editing is something that takes practice. I know that working on RAWs and JPEGs are quite different. The saturation on your edit is a little high on the grass. Although, the goose seems to have better contrast and now doesn't blend with the overall color scheme. However, the blacks are quite black and make areas such as the neck lack detail. I hope my criticism is constructive. If you'd like me to work up a version of this for you let me know. Send me a copy. I can then tell you my workflow in order to give you a better idea. Just a thought. Kirk

arphot Loc: Massachusetts

Sugarpenny wrote:

I don't think that's a humming bird...I think it is a moth...that looks like ahumming bird. Can't remember the name of them..but still good shot!

Check this: http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/faq

Jwilliams0469 Loc: Topeka, Ks.

Sugarpenny wrote:

I don't think that's a humming bird...I think it is a moth...that looks like ahumming bird. Can't remember the name of them..but still good shot!

Ah, i think you are quite right... I didn't even notice but it does have antenna's and also known as "White-lined Sphinx". Sorry to all who has come to this form. Kind of imbarrasing as well, but oh well, it's still very small and very quick!

Jwilliams0469 Loc: Topeka, Ks.

arphot wrote:

OK . . . for sure you got some pop there. Image ed... (show quote)

Yes, please if you don't mind I'd like to see a version of the goose and a little knowledge on the type of workflow you use. I think you can just drag and drop the image to your computer (not sure) but if not I will need to know another way of getting it to you, e-mail or something... Thank you!

arphot Loc: Massachusetts

Quote:

Yes, please if you don't mind I'd like to see a version of the goose and a little knowledge on the type of workflow you use. I think you can just drag and drop the image to your computer (not sure) but if not I will need to know another way of getting it to you, e-mail or something... Thank you!

It would be better if you sent me an original file. The posts are not quality enough to edit. We can work on setting that up. I gotta cruise out for a bit. But, if not tonight, then tomorrow. K?