Anna's Hummingbird


Posted by Gonzo on Mon Sep 05, 2005 8:36 pm

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I spent 6 weeks trying to come up with the best way to take images of our resident Anna's male hummingbird without using flash. The reason no flash is that to my eyes, flash as a primary light source renders most hummingbird photos very flat. Sadly, my friend here was molting during this photo session, and you can see some wing feathers missing. The same feathers were also gone on his other wing at this time.

Using lots of reflectors and even more patience, I got a number of keepers. This was my favorite of that exercise. I plan to do it again next year with better gear. At least I have a good starting place this time.
Image
Canon 10D, 400mm f/5.6L, f/10 (for DOF!!), 1/1000, ISO 800, 56mm of extension tubes, tripod with ball head

= Ed =
= Ed Rotberg =

'A waist is a terrible thing to mind'
http://www.edrotberg.org/gallery


Last edited by Gonzo on Sun Feb 04, 2007 12:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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by Chris Kayler on Mon Sep 05, 2005 8:53 pm
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I agree with you on flash hummingbird photography in most cases. This is a very nice shot. It would be even better with a good subject.. but there is always next year.
 

by Chas on Mon Sep 05, 2005 9:20 pm
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Ed,

It is not the light source(s) per se that renders the image flat in appearence, it is the source(s) placement relative to the subject and the camera, and the ratio between them.

Nice image by the way :wink:

Best,

Chas
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by Juan E. Bahamon on Mon Sep 05, 2005 9:54 pm
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Ed:

Very gorgeous subject. As Chas said the flatteness of the flash occurs when is a single source but when you have 4 or more then we can really play with light.
Juan E. Bahamon
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by KK Hui on Tue Sep 06, 2005 4:16 am
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This looks nice, Ed!
Simple and clean bg ...
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by Ofer Levy on Tue Sep 06, 2005 5:14 am
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Very nice! :wink: :wink:
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by mrhughj on Tue Sep 06, 2005 8:14 am
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Well done, Ed!!

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by Chas on Tue Sep 06, 2005 10:10 am
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Juan E. Bahamon wrote:Ed:

Very gorgeous subject. As Chas said the flatteness of the flash occurs when is a single source but when you have 4 or more then we can really play with light.
Even a single source positioned off camera can create modeling, especially, when ratioed correctly with ambient light.

Best,

Chas
Charles Glatzer M.Photog, Canon Explorer of Light, https://about.me/charlesglatzer
Check out www.shootthelight.com for info on workshops, seminars, appearances, etc.
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