Show us your best Hummingbird captures!

powerslave wrote in post #16030273
Edit: It would be nice if you would mention what gear/settings and environment you used to shoot the shots you post! Would definitely help everyone learn.

I have been very interested in shooting Hummingbirds and been gathering information from everywhere. Figured it would be nice to have one of these threads where everything is in one place so all resources/advice and photos/videos will be easily available.

I also see it is Hummingbird 'season' and a lot of posts related to them!

I'll kick things off!

These are shot with a 50mm on the 6D and cropped to about 40-50%. I know, I need a longer lens.

Post up!

Manas:

Thank you for starting this thread and sharing your pictures. I know the thrill and frustration of shooting Hummingbirds.

After reviewing your images three quick things come to mind, the feeder, your background and exposure

1. IMO, when ever possible, crop out a feeder. A feeder does not enhance the subject most of the time. Now if you have many hummers at a feeder that would be an exception to the unwritten rule. To document the number of hummers.

2. Most of your backgrounds have a lot of sky white. Not very pleasing. Be aware of your back grounds. Had the day had a beautiful sky blue that would be a different story. You might consider moving your feeder or shooting from a different angle (on a white light day) as to minimize an unpleasing bg. Most of the time, a back ground can make or kill a shot.

3. To my eyes, on my monitor, your shots appear underexposed. With digital photography of hummers it is my opinion and better to be slightly over exposed than under exposed.

I did a redo on one of your shots. Let me know what you think.

Please do not take my critique personally. It is hard not to. My intent is to give suggestion which could help you to take better pictures in the future .

I hope to see more of your work and feel free to ask me questions.

Ted, that's wonderful feedback! You have made that shot look so much better!

I have noted all the points you mentioned and agree!

I have to admit that I have been a little lazy in fixing exposure/crops properly, due to being so excited to have captured these critters. I couldn't wait to share these!

I have been playing around the placement of the feeder to get a better background, but I just had a 50mm (and a 14mm) lens to work with. I have borrowed a 70-200 f/2.8 for the evening, so I should be able to apply your advice better.

I have taken absolutely nothing personally, in fact I'm grateful for your pointers and your example edit!

Yesterday a male showed up and was being rather aggressive towards the hummer in these pictures and they were doing a whole high speed mid air fight sequence. I don't know how I'm going to manage capturing that, but I am going to give it my best shot!

Here are two favorites of mine from last year. The second photo was one of 15 chosen out of 250 entries for inclusion in a locally published calendar this year.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/45862460@N07/7​922393692/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/45862460@N07/7​633245220/

Wallace River wrote in post #16030439
OK, I'll play. Here's 3 of my personal faves from 2 summers ago, reprocessed a bit. Like Duane N says, hummers do love Monarda (Bee Balm). . All taken at 1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 400, on a Canon 7D with 100-400 L.
1.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/wallaceriver/9​043018348/
IMG_6909 Hummer and Monarda by Wallace River, on Flickr
2.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/wallaceriver/9​043017202/
IMG_6888 Hummer and Monarda by Wallace River, on Flickr
3.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/wallaceriver/9​043016014/
IMG_6883 Hummer and Monarda by Wallace River, on Flickr

Ian:

#1 and 3 have excellent IQ. #1 is a tad over sharpened at the flower. #2 appears soft on my monitor.

Ted

bpalermini wrote in post #16030608
Ken, you are lucky to have all those different types come to your feeder. Nice work everyone.

3

Bob:

Excellent captures. #3 is the stand out for IQ and pose,

Photo Hunter wrote in post #16031270
Here are two favorites of mine from last year. The second photo was one of 15 chosen out of 250 entries for inclusion in a locally published calendar this year.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/45862460@N07/7​922393692/
Hummingbird3 by Photo Hunter 61, on Flickr

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/45862460@N07/7​633245220/
Hummingbird & Honeysuckle by Photo Hunter 61, on Flickr

Both are excellent shots. I would prefer #1 over 2 with a tighter crop.

Very nice shots in here. I have so many it's hard to pick. Here is my contribution of some of my favorites. A couple are due for reprocessing.

Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird, 7D/600mm+1.4x, ISO 250, f/5.6, 1/400

Found this guy today. He didn't seem to mind sticking around to pose.

txcanon wrote in post #16031765
Very nice shots in here. I have so many it's hard to pick. Here is my contribution of some of my favorites. A couple are due for reprocessing.

Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird, 7D/600mm+1.4x, ISO 250, f/5.6, 1/400

Female Rufous Hummingbird, MKIV/600mm+1.4x, ISO 400, f/8.0, 1/320

Male Ruby-throated Hummingbird, 7D/600mm+1.4x, ISO 320, f/5.6, 1/500

Male Black-chinned Hummingbird, 7D/600mm+1.4x, ISO 250, f/8.0, 1/400

Brad:
4 very nice shots. IMO #1is the best #2 a close 2nd.

Ted

jwol wrote in post #16031867
Found this guy today. He didn't seem to mind sticking around to pose.

#2 is the stand out!

All taken with a 7D 500mm F4 +1.4tc. Also I used 4 off camera flash.

The last one was taken very late, dusk...

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/steveja/7770190​734/]

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/steveja/7770196​148/]

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/steveja/7761008​196/]

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/steveja/7737260​302/

Great pics in this thread!

Here's a few I took this evening. 6D + 70-200 f/2.8 at 200mm.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …s/garagenoise/9​047384622/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …s/garagenoise/9​045121943/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …s/garagenoise/9​045123079/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …s/garagenoise/9​045124825/

As I expected, fantastic images. I'm not equipped or set up to do these guys justice but here's one I managed.

Excellent!

Hummingbirds are my faves. I have lots of photos and every one of them is my favorite

But here are some to share on this thread:

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/juvethski/75910​43604/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/juvethski/81180​69425/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/juvethski/81841​52177/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/juvethski/86413​46862/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/juvethski/89652​12015/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/juvethski/81971​38007/