Ruby-throated Hummingbird

[Allen Sparks]

Canon 7D2, 400mm f4 DO IS II, 1.4xTC III, speedlite 600 EX-RT, tripod
ISO 640, f6.3, 1/1000s

Shot this with a single flash and I removed the flash pin light from the eye. I plan on adding multiple flashes to help increase shutter speed and allow narrower aperture for DOF - this should help with overall freeze motion/sharpness on the bird.
Background is grass lawn.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Allen, great angled pose, and the focus/DOF works in all the right places. Good idea regarding removing the flash in the eye.

[Robert Ainslie]

Hello Allen,

Great pic and background.
I find it visually pleasing.

[John Mack]

Sounds like a good plan. Nice capture of this hummer the background is excellent. Nice pose.

[Daniel Cadieux]

I love that flower, and you have just enough showing. Pretty cool. Compared to it, it seems the hummer needs a touch more contrast. Well balanced comp, good plain green BG.

[Mike Poole]

Perfect timing with the hummer just touching the flower. I agree with a little more contrast on the bird, and possibly look at brightening the sky reflection in the eye. I thin you probably did right removing the flash catchlight, but the eye does now look a little dull to me

Mike

[Arthur Morris]

AS, Very nicely done. Increasing the contrast a bit might be a good option. Is the background natural? Wing position perfect, as is the subject to imaging sensor orientation.

with love, artie

ps: Those who want to get serious about using high speed flash for hummers are directed to The Hummingbird Guide – How to Photograph Hummingbirds Using High-Speed Multiple Flash (http://birdsasart-shop.com/hummingbird-guide-cd/) by Linda Robbins with yours truly.

[Allen Sparks]

Thank you for the comments everyone. I’ll try adding some contrast.

Artie, yes the background is natural. It is the upward sloping lawn in my side yard.

Allen

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks Allen. Even better :)

with love, artie