Yet, this remains as my all-time favorite hummingbird (Magenta-throated Woodstar)

I made this image last year at the middle elevations in Costa Rica.

I have always been facinated with the way this bird flies, the colours of its gorget and its small size.
I drove with another partner photographer for about 6 hours from San José, where I live, to the location where this handsome male was been seeing.
We woke up pretty early as we still needed to drive 30 more minutes to the specific area where he was coming.
Finally, and after a few minutes waiting at the feeder he showed up. In my last hummer shots I have explained that now I prefer to create an image that is not ''just'' about the bird, but that also shows a bit of its environment, that's why I used the OOF plant so it balance the image and adds a 3D effect, well, at least to my eye :tinysmile_shy_t:

We quickly started to put our set up and withing minutes we were taking images of this flying jewel. I found the hummingbird visiting this plant so it was not difficult to set it up close to the feeder and Bingo!

For this one I used.

1D4+300f/4@f/11+ISO640+three flashes on bird, one for BG.+artificial BG+tripod+cable ralease+triggers+LR+FF

All comments welcome.

If you want to create images like this, then you can join me in my upcoming photo tour.

JuanK

Great image, Nice detail and works well to show the bird in it's environment.

I like the image design and the concept. What bugs me is all the glare off those waxy leaves.....

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Originally Posted by Arthur Morris

I like the image design and the concept. What bugs me is all the glare off those waxy leaves.....

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Waxy indeed!
Yes Arthur, I tried to position the flashes in a way that the shine of these leaves would not be so problematic but the bird was then not good exposed so for the next time I am not using this plant even though that attracted the bird quite well. :)

Gorgeous bird, with flowers of a similar color! Would a polarizer help? The reflecting leaves all seem to be at about the same orientation.

Wow - you have reason to select this as your favourite - it's perfect! Nice complementing colors from the plant, beautiful focus & colors on the bird with perfect BG. Well done! :5

Great timing, great action.

Excellent image. Beautiful colour scheme. Beautiful bird and flight pose. I like the composition too.

Regards,
Satish.

What A Outsanding image and setup here , The bird is perfectly freeze ......Thanks For shearing.

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Originally Posted by Juan Carlos Vindas

Waxy indeed!
Yes Arthur, I tried to position the flashes in a way that the shine of these leaves would not be so problematic but the bird was then not good exposed so for the next time I am not using this plant even though that attracted the bird quite well. :)

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I think that a different plant is the way to go :)

I like your composition here, and of course the Woodstar is a real beauty. But the glare from the leaves detracts from the image. I would also brighten things up a bit overall.

I agree about the glare of the leaves, but I love the overall feel to the image. Well balanced, nice colours, and great BG.

Many thanks guys for your valuable input!

Very nice - what was the shutter speed?

It's a beautiful composition and capture Juan. Outstanding colors and clarity and nice positioning for the bg. Well done!

Juan Carlos, this is a really well-done multi-flash image of a cool species. Since I know the plant, I'm not bothered as much by the highlights on the leaves. I understand people's point about it drawing the eye away from the bird but even with natural light, the leaves of this plant family are very reflective as you well know. Sometimes you have to go with what the bird likes and what tells a story. Trying to de-emphasize those reflections a bit in post would, of course, be an option if you haven't already done so to some extent.

Cheers,
Greg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Greg Basco

Juan Carlos, this is a really well-done multi-flash image of a cool species. Since I know the plant, I'm not bothered as much by the highlights on the leaves. I understand people's point about it drawing the eye away from the bird but even with natural light, the leaves of this plant family are very reflective as you well know. Sometimes you have to go with what the bird likes and what tells a story. Trying to de-emphasize those reflections a bit in post would, of course, be an option if you haven't already done so to some extent.

Cheers,
Greg

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Totally agree with you Greg, I really enjoy when and image talks about the habitat of X specie. For this one I have to be honest and say that I was lazy enough to try to fix the glare on those shiny leaves. Perhaps I could just go back and try but also believe there is not much I could do about it as once we start playing with these leaves some issues could arise.
Thanks Greg for your input! :w3

awsome shot!! I can see why it's ur fav!
cheers,
Merv