Comments on: How to Photograph Hummingbirds in the Wild http://photonaturalist.net/how-to-photograph-hummingbirds-in-the-wild/ tips and tutorials for digital nature photography Thu, 02 Feb 2012 03:18:03 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Marcus Vinicius Lameiras http://photonaturalist.net/how-to-photograph-hummingbirds-in-the-wild/comment-page-1/#comment-36249 Marcus Vinicius Lameiras Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:45:59 +0000 http://photonaturalist.net/?p=2932#comment-36249 Dear Steve, First, forgive me because I do not speak English, unfortunately ... I wonder if I can use extension tubes on my 100/400mm lens, with the objective of expanding (or even closer) I usually shoot the birds, without losing image quality. Thank you for your attention, any hints in this direction will be very welcome! Greetings! Marcus Vinicius Rio de Janeiro - Brazil http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcusviniciuslameiras/ Dear Steve, First, forgive me because I do not speak English, unfortunately …
I wonder if I can use extension tubes on my 100/400mm lens, with the objective of expanding (or even closer) I usually shoot the birds, without losing image quality.

Thank you for your attention, any hints in this direction will be very welcome!

Greetings!

Marcus Vinicius
Rio de Janeiro – Brazil

http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcusviniciuslameiras/

]]> By: Ansel Adams, Photographing Hummingbirds, CATCH Magazine, Digital Workflow | Pro Nature Photographer http://photonaturalist.net/how-to-photograph-hummingbirds-in-the-wild/comment-page-1/#comment-23150 Ansel Adams, Photographing Hummingbirds, CATCH Magazine, Digital Workflow | Pro Nature Photographer Sun, 01 Aug 2010 21:18:39 +0000 http://photonaturalist.net/?p=2932#comment-23150 [...] is a nice article over at Photonaturalist on how to photograph [...] [...] is a nice article over at Photonaturalist on how to photograph [...]

]]> By: Jill Duffy http://photonaturalist.net/how-to-photograph-hummingbirds-in-the-wild/comment-page-1/#comment-23001 Jill Duffy Mon, 19 Jul 2010 04:58:40 +0000 http://photonaturalist.net/?p=2932#comment-23001 http://humbirdhum.wordpress.com/2010/04/03/prepared-for-flight-2/ http://humbirdhum.wordpress.com/2010/04/04/the-approach/ For the past year I have spent a lot of time on my deck which overlooks an apple tree. The hummingbirds (Allen, Anna and Rufus most common) arrive in March-April and provide me with many hours of photographing opportunities as they flit through the blossoms. I have found that when I become a constant in their landscape (and wear a cap with dark clothes) I become non-threatening and have been able to get some amazing photos. But if I take a couple days off...well, it's back to square one. I use a 300 mm zoom on my Canon Rebel and 7D. Great suggestions, and happy photographing! http://humbirdhum.wordpress.com/2010/04/03/prepared-for-flight-2/

http://humbirdhum.wordpress.com/2010/04/04/the-approach/

For the past year I have spent a lot of time on my deck which overlooks an apple tree. The hummingbirds (Allen, Anna and Rufus most common) arrive in March-April and provide me with many hours of photographing opportunities as they flit through the blossoms. I have found that when I become a constant in their landscape (and wear a cap with dark clothes) I become non-threatening and have been able to get some amazing photos. But if I take a couple days off…well, it’s back to square one. I use a 300 mm zoom on my Canon Rebel and 7D.

Great suggestions, and happy photographing!

]]> By: Zack Jones http://photonaturalist.net/how-to-photograph-hummingbirds-in-the-wild/comment-page-1/#comment-22980 Zack Jones Thu, 15 Jul 2010 13:20:31 +0000 http://photonaturalist.net/?p=2932#comment-22980 Steve, Thanks for the follow up info and links to the shots on flickr. I'll check 'em out. As much as I'd love a 300 I have my heart set on the 500 f/4. That's going to be my next lens purchase. Steve,

Thanks for the follow up info and links to the shots on flickr. I’ll check ‘em out. As much as I’d love a 300 I have my heart set on the 500 f/4. That’s going to be my next lens purchase.

]]> By: Philip http://photonaturalist.net/how-to-photograph-hummingbirds-in-the-wild/comment-page-1/#comment-22975 Philip Thu, 15 Jul 2010 06:43:28 +0000 http://photonaturalist.net/?p=2932#comment-22975 Thanks Steve for the info I think you have hit the nail on the head hear after reading your " When photographing wildlife, always keep an eye on the sun " Article it makes sense what I am doing wrong Thanks again for a very informative Blog :) Thanks Steve for the info I think you have hit the nail on the head hear after reading your ” When photographing wildlife, always keep an eye on the sun ” Article it makes sense what I am doing wrong Thanks again for a very informative Blog :)

]]> By: Steve Berardi http://photonaturalist.net/how-to-photograph-hummingbirds-in-the-wild/comment-page-1/#comment-22969 Steve Berardi Wed, 14 Jul 2010 18:47:46 +0000 http://photonaturalist.net/?p=2932#comment-22969 Thanks all for your nice comments! @Zack - I haven't experimented with flash yet, but I've read that's the only way to really "freeze" their wings in the frame.. I'm not a big fan of that kind of image though, I kind of like a little blur in the wings to show motion. The first image was shot with a Canon 5D Mark II, f/5.6, 1/1250, 420mm (300mm f/4L with 1.4 extender), and ISO 800 More details at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/steveberardi/4632688160/ The second hummingbird photo was also shot with a Canon 5D Mark II, f/8, 1/1250, 420mm (300mm f/4L with 1.4 extender), and ISO 800 More details at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/steveberardi/4201053030/ I've found that a shutter speed of 1/800 or faster works well for getting a good blur of the wings. @Tiberman - Glad you're enjoying Rowell's great book! I can't wait to dive into all the cognitive science and image perception books he recommended. @Philip - My current method is to find the right exposure by using the histogram and photographing something in similar light as my subject (or the subject itself if it's stationary like a landscape or flower). I get the histogram as far to the right as possible without blowing out any highlights. If you're getting a dark bird and a blown out sky, then it sounds like you're photographign the bird when it's backlit by the sun? Those shots are always hard, if not impossible to expose properly, so try to shoot birds when they're frontlit (the sun is behind you). Hope that helps! Thanks all for your nice comments!

@Zack – I haven’t experimented with flash yet, but I’ve read that’s the only way to really “freeze” their wings in the frame.. I’m not a big fan of that kind of image though, I kind of like a little blur in the wings to show motion.

The first image was shot with a Canon 5D Mark II, f/5.6, 1/1250, 420mm (300mm f/4L with 1.4 extender), and ISO 800

More details at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/steveberardi/4632688160/

The second hummingbird photo was also shot with a Canon 5D Mark II, f/8, 1/1250, 420mm (300mm f/4L with 1.4 extender), and ISO 800

More details at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/steveberardi/4201053030/

I’ve found that a shutter speed of 1/800 or faster works well for getting a good blur of the wings.

@Tiberman – Glad you’re enjoying Rowell’s great book! I can’t wait to dive into all the cognitive science and image perception books he recommended.

@Philip – My current method is to find the right exposure by using the histogram and photographing something in similar light as my subject (or the subject itself if it’s stationary like a landscape or flower). I get the histogram as far to the right as possible without blowing out any highlights. If you’re getting a dark bird and a blown out sky, then it sounds like you’re photographign the bird when it’s backlit by the sun? Those shots are always hard, if not impossible to expose properly, so try to shoot birds when they’re frontlit (the sun is behind you). Hope that helps!

]]> By: Philip http://photonaturalist.net/how-to-photograph-hummingbirds-in-the-wild/comment-page-1/#comment-22966 Philip Wed, 14 Jul 2010 10:06:31 +0000 http://photonaturalist.net/?p=2932#comment-22966 Another excellent informative article Steve one question the photograph of the Anna's Hummingbird with the sky as a background did you use center weighted and spot metering ? I have never had much luck taking a shot like this. the exposure has always been way off the bird too dark or the sky blown out, and I could never get a much better result either using lightroom in post. Another excellent informative article Steve one question the photograph of the Anna’s Hummingbird with the sky as a background did you use center weighted and spot metering ? I have never had much luck taking a shot like this. the exposure has always been way off the bird too dark or the sky blown out, and I could never get a much better result either using lightroom in post.

]]> By: Tiberman Sajiwan Ramyead http://photonaturalist.net/how-to-photograph-hummingbirds-in-the-wild/comment-page-1/#comment-22961 Tiberman Sajiwan Ramyead Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:08:44 +0000 http://photonaturalist.net/?p=2932#comment-22961 Steve - for lovers of nature, the shots defy description! And your 'leave no trace' principle; my late father introduced me to pure simple nature even since I was a toddler. Ah, from up there he must be smiling at you. What were the camera settings, specially for the humming bird, please? I am poring over G. Rowell's Inner Game. Tiberman - Mauritius Steve – for lovers of nature, the shots defy description! And your ‘leave no trace’ principle; my late father introduced me to pure simple nature even since I was a toddler. Ah, from up there he must be smiling at you.
What were the camera settings, specially for the humming bird, please?
I am poring over G. Rowell’s Inner Game.
Tiberman – Mauritius

]]> By: Zack Jones http://photonaturalist.net/how-to-photograph-hummingbirds-in-the-wild/comment-page-1/#comment-22960 Zack Jones Tue, 13 Jul 2010 17:00:52 +0000 http://photonaturalist.net/?p=2932#comment-22960 Nice hat in the profile pic -- I have a similar one that I wear and they're great. What about using a flash? Do you ever use one of those? Also a request - would you include some lens/exposure info for your pictures. I'd be interested to know if you shot the top one with your 300 or something else. In the post you mention a 400. Did you get some new glass? Nice hat in the profile pic — I have a similar one that I wear and they’re great. What about using a flash? Do you ever use one of those? Also a request – would you include some lens/exposure info for your pictures. I’d be interested to know if you shot the top one with your 300 or something else. In the post you mention a 400. Did you get some new glass?

]]> By: Melanie Hofmann http://photonaturalist.net/how-to-photograph-hummingbirds-in-the-wild/comment-page-1/#comment-22958 Melanie Hofmann Tue, 13 Jul 2010 16:38:27 +0000 http://photonaturalist.net/?p=2932#comment-22958 Steve: Sitting here in my Berkeley, CA art studio, I can often hear an Anna's hummingbird (or a pair of young ones) outside in a tree or feeding on flowers in the backyard. They also enjoy bathing and drinking from a small fountain that I put in this year (my backyard has become a popular spot for other birds too). When I photograph them, all I need to do is to open my door or go into the yard. Sometimes they fly away when they see me, but often they do not. When I am out, I have become good at finding nests (around here usually in February and March) by observing where the females go when they fly into trees and bushes. They show up in the most amazing places. One day I was at an Ace Hardware Garden Center in Oakland. There was a baby who was perched here and there on plants and other perches during my visit. At one point the Mom flew down and started feeding it! I don't always get the camera out soon enough or capture every moment, but I have been very fortunate to get some good shots. I have had a DSLR for about 1.5 years. My Nikon D60 was stolen while on vacation in Belize (70 - 300mm lens). I replaced it with a Nikon D90 with the same lens (I have a couple other lenses as well) that I am just learning how to use. I am hoping for an opportunity to learn more about professional photography in the near future. When an Anna's made a nest in our backyard this year, I was able to get some great shots using a smaller lens of the eggs and babies in the nest. Steve: Sitting here in my Berkeley, CA art studio, I can often hear an Anna’s hummingbird (or a pair of young ones) outside in a tree or feeding on flowers in the backyard. They also enjoy bathing and drinking from a small fountain that I put in this year (my backyard has become a popular spot for other birds too). When I photograph them, all I need to do is to open my door or go into the yard. Sometimes they fly away when they see me, but often they do not. When I am out, I have become good at finding nests (around here usually in February and March) by observing where the females go when they fly into trees and bushes. They show up in the most amazing places. One day I was at an Ace Hardware Garden Center in Oakland. There was a baby who was perched here and there on plants and other perches during my visit. At one point the Mom flew down and started feeding it! I don’t always get the camera out soon enough or capture every moment, but I have been very fortunate to get some good shots. I have had a DSLR for about 1.5 years. My Nikon D60 was stolen while on vacation in Belize (70 – 300mm lens). I replaced it with a Nikon D90 with the same lens (I have a couple other lenses as well) that I am just learning how to use. I am hoping for an opportunity to learn more about professional photography in the near future. When an Anna’s made a nest in our backyard this year, I was able to get some great shots using a smaller lens of the eggs and babies in the nest.

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