HUMMINGBIRDS FROM PORTAL, AZ

[CAPTAIN COORS]

Any ideas on how to improve my images of these little guys?

 

[Hardrock]

Overall they look nice and sharp and they are gorgeous birds. The vignette on the first one definitley hurts the image and the second one is really dark. The first is my favorite pose but the 3rd is the best overall image. 7 out of 10 overall.

 

[BlackSheep]

I agree with Hardrock, you don't need to use a vignette on the first shot, it's already good without it. And the second shot is a bit dark, can't see the details.
But, all of them are still awesome shots!

 

[Frequency]

These images are amazing and outstanding

 

[molested_cow]

What shutter speed were you at? I'd never been able to capture humming birds before but would imagine it's hard to freeze the wings like that.

 

[Miladymimi]

I agree with the other observations. The third is so clear, you froze time perfectly. Lovely shots.

 

[CAPTAIN COORS]

Its not the shutter speed, its the duration of the flashes. Tech info: ISO 100, SHUTTER 1/160, F16-25 (depending on amibent light), MODE MANULE. With these settings and no flashes your image would be complety black. Add four flashes set their lowest power setting (1/16 power Vivitar 285 HV) and you capture the bird lit for only about 1/10,000. Of course the shutter is still open after the flash pops but remember everything would be black. Prefocus is a must. Its almost impossible to AF on a hummingbird.

Hope this is not against the rules but you can see more of our hummingbirds at WWW.DOVEMOUNTAINPHOTOS.SMUGMUG.COM

 

[CAPTAIN COORS]

Sorry about the vignette on the first image. We are having this image placed on the back of our rv (36 x36) and I wanted the vignette to fade into the pure white of the rv.

 

[CAPTAIN COORS]

Here are a few more. Hope I'am not boring you all!

 

[Frequency]

Unbelievable

 

[BlackSheep]

Uh...no, you are definitely NOT giving us boring photos

Love that last bunch of shots - thank you for showing them to us! And thanks for sharing how you got them, too!

 

[joealcantar]

If some of them had a tinge of back lighting on them it would make them even better. Would pop out there. Keep up the good work ,nicely done.
-
Shoot well, Joe

 

[kundalini]

Its not the shutter speed, its the duration of the flashes.

Actually, it's both. The shutter speed affects the amount of ambient light and the flash duration affects the stop motion.

 

[CAPTAIN COORS]

Just a couple more

This is a Magnificent, location: Portal, AZ

Blue-throated

Rufous