Another Hummingbird

Gallery: AvianPosted September 1, 2013277 views12 comments

One from this morning. My plan was to set up the flower so the hummingbirds would come in from the bottom, give me a good look at their chests and see what happened from there.

A little bit of ghosting of the wings created an angel like look..

This female rufous was cooperative.

Canon 5D Mark III, 100-400 @ 310 mm
1/200, f/13, ISO 320

Multi Flash setup, 4-Canon 430EX II flashes, 3 on the hummer, 1 on the background.

Larger Version included.

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Colin H Sillerud on September 1, 2013 at 10:09 PM

Perfect from where I'm sitting. May I ask how you set it up exactly? You found a flower that you found promising, set lights around it, and waited? How far away were the flashes?

Registered on May 26, 2011, 17 Posts, 58 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on September 1, 2013 at 11:16 PM

May I ask how you set it up exactly? You found a flower that you found promising, set lights around it, and waited? How far away were the flashes?

The 3 flashes used to light the bird were at varying distances. One was about 2 feet away, one was about 3 feet and positioned high, and the 3rd was about 3 1/2 feet and also positioned high. The two high flashes were placed to create the "sun", while the 3rd was used to fill in any harsh shadows. The entire exposure is from the light created by the flash units. With the camera settings used, without any flash, the frame would be completely black. The desire is to create an image that does NOT look flashed. I think you'd agree the result looks like a daylight image. The catch is that the wings are stopped because the duration of the flashes is about 1/10000 of a second.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on September 2, 2013 at 3:09 AM

Gorgeous!! You have amazing details in the feathers of this hummer. Extremely well executed image, Keith! I'm extremely jealous of all the hummingbird images you've been getting!

Registered on February 8, 2011, 254 Posts, 1302 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on September 2, 2013 at 7:44 AM

Very nicely composed and wonderful colors. I love seeing their little feet! I see the ghosting effect on the wings and tail. Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on September 2, 2013 at 9:24 AM

Wow, great idea and execution. Perfect ! Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Thomas Haney on September 2, 2013 at 12:29 PM

Beautiful shot Keith, I love the comp, position of the wings, and the background couldn't be better. Very well done.

Registered on April 7, 2013, 138 Posts, 537 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on September 2, 2013 at 1:54 PM

Sweet Photo Keith

Looks like you captured the image you were hoping for, great wing position, excellent details and complimentary background..

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on September 2, 2013 at 4:53 PM

Nearly perfect, Keith.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on September 2, 2013 at 5:18 PM

Another great Hummingbird shot.

Registered on March 13, 2011, 326 Posts, 1679 Comments

Comment posted by jack jaeger jr on September 2, 2013 at 9:10 PM

This one is needs to go on the wall !

Registered on April 2, 2012, 26 Posts, 355 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on September 3, 2013 at 7:37 AM

Colors are stunning and the wing position is great. All so well composed, beautiful.

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on November 10, 2013 at 1:05 PM

As if she's being drawn or 'lifted' up to the heavens, the "ghosting of the wings" fits this pose very nicely.
Love your work with these miraculous creatures

PS - Only nit's the title Keith. It's not just "Another Hummingbird", but rather unique in all of creation.
Just like you & me dude

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments