Thank you Moose, me thinks you're being too kind.
Lester Wareham wrote in post #16920255
Beautiful shots Steve, looks like your hooked!
Much appreciated Lester. I enjoy new challenges and this endeavor certainly qualifies.
ardeekay wrote in post #16920339Why Steve, I think I got a tear in my eye...for me? And a mighty fine series it is, too! Those are all very good, Steve. This year's show some soft bodies, but the head/eyes are tack sharp, always a priority as you know. Shallow DOF is something I think is hurting me, too. In your case, 600mm at f8 and 12' distance, the dof is .05' or about 3/4"! Increase the distance to 25' and dof goes to about 3".
That's according to my on-line calculator I found somewhere. So, I'm going to get out my Sigma and back up the next sunny day I get a chance.
Also, as a side note, my blue salvia attracted the hummers but kept breaking off as soon as a few blooms opened up on a single stem. Tried tying them up but the whole experience was a bit of a test.
Go get 'em, Buddy!!
Haha Rog, I knew you'd love it what with all your overly dominant female hummers! I have certain limitations with the "arena" I have, but it's clear I need to increase DOF. I appreciate your encouragement.....I think 
Thanks for the kind comments dasher....hopefully more & better to come.
Don1 wrote in post #16920564Some really great shots here Steve. 6 and 7 are especially captivating.
Well Hi Don! So very nice to hear from you in such a pleasant way. Thanks kindly my friend.
TedEllis wrote in post #16920590Hi Steve:
We all are new at shooting some forms of wild life photography. All in all, some nice captures and poses. I like your shooting angles, all are even to up. All are basically in focus.
I see all are images posted are in RGB, for web posting, sRGB looks better. You are shooting in aperture priority...try shooting manual. You will have greater control in a manual setting.
Your shutter speeds vary from a very slow 1/160 to 1/800. Perched shots in less than good light can work in this range but I find hovering shots in good to great light look better at ss speed > than 1/1000. I try to keep my shutter speeds 1/1600-1/2500. I have come away with great hovering shots in subdued light at 1/800 but my iso was elevated.
There will always be days where light fluctuates dramatically therefore your f-stop, iso and ss will have to change. I always try to keep one of the variables constant For example iso. 90% of my hummer shots are taken at ISO 1600, in less than good light 2000-2500.
f-stops between 6.3 to 7.1, sometimes 5.6 in poor light, a few times f8 in great light. I am still experimenting at f8.
A final thought watch your backgrounds, back grounds can kill a great capture.
Your #1, 5 and 6 are my favorites... Keep shooting. I hope to see more of your hummers.
ps: I am not suggesting you use my settings only the concept of consistency. You can pm anytime.
Wow Ted, you've given me quite a homework assignment! All great info and many thanks for your comments and sharing these ideas. I'm sure I'll find a way to use them all.
