Ruby-throated Hummingbird

What can I say? Wow!

To me, this is already perfect, Greg! :roll: :roll:
What a setup! Give us some idea where you decided to place those 5 flashes, won't you?

Good light coverage Greg !!! Looking great !!!

KK, I used one flash on the background (which is a floral print fabric about 15 feet away), one flash was directly above and slightly behind the bird (called a "hair light" in the portrait industry) to make the bird pop from the background. I then had the other three lights at varying heights (but generally below the bird). The flash to the left was reduced by two stops by moving it back 2x the distance of the others in order to give a more 3-dimensional look to the bird - the other two flashes were off the the right and were essentially the main light. I think I could stand a little harder side-lit look than the result here and I could accomplish that by moving the left flash further away or adjusting the power down a bit on that flash.

Pop it does!! Well done!

Very cool! :)

How about a picture of the setup with a wide angle lens? (You do have a wide angle lens, right? It's that little one you carry some times! ) So you get hummingbirds in your area too. I really need to get down to visit you some time!

Wonderful work. Great color. So BTW, what power were the flashes?

Well, you said you wanted brutal critiques, so I'll do my best to find something that could (theoretically) be improved - though this is way better than any shot I've ever taken....

The only thing I could come up with is that the the background doesn't really add much to the image (I think the color is too close to the bird's color).

I too would love to see a photo of the setup

Nailed it.

:)

Beautiful, and quite interesting how you achieved this. I think you are right about a bit more side light, but this is fantastic. I like the background, it looks more natural than some I've seen.

I'd love to see this with a native flower, too!

Greg, great stuff here.

Some thoughts: I think the image could go a little brighter. I wish one of those 5 flash was able to light the birds right wing. Try turning the flower towards us a bit to show the opening more and to see more length of the bill.

Greg:

You are getting very artistic with this stuff. The imagen is fine the way it is, my only suggestion is to get an smaller flower. The background rocks.

Well, others have commented on areas of improvement for the image, which is gorgeous. Brutal critique? Hmm... how about, I'm not likely ever to have something like this -- brutal for me, not for Greg! Well done! Can't wait to see more with the 5 flash setup...

I'd say you've got the flash method down.

Stunning!! :) :)

First impression is very good. Then I notice the lighting angle, particularly on the flower, is predominantly from below. Not very natural. It also looks a little bright on the flower, pulling attention from the bird. If anything I think it should be dialled back a bit there. IMO it would look better if the main light direction was higher, producing the appearance of natural light.
All that from someone who has never seen a hummingbird, but you did ask

Greg
It's certainly a gorgeous shot. I'm just so amazed at how anyone can figure out how to use 5 flashes when I still can't figure out 1!!!!!

Stunning!

HUgh