Anna's Hummingbird checks out the Day Lilies.

[Dan Brown]

I have been working with a multi-strobe hummer setup the past few days. Using 5 strobes, 3 (+1 as a master on camera) in front of the bird and 1 on the bg. This may be my fav so far! He is peeking at me (sort of!) I have been changing backgrounds and am not really crazy about this one but it's ok after working it over a bit in PS. I will keep trying! Follow the link below to see a higher res version and some of the other images from the setup. C&C welcome.

http://naturestoc.smugmug.com/Birds/...4684329_HCrBcC

Camera Model: NIKON D800, tripod mounted
Shutter speed: 1/250 sec
Aperture: 18
Exposure mode: Manual
Flash: Optional,M 4 strobes in front, one on BG
Metering mode: Multi-segment
ISO: 500
Lens: 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal length: 310mm
AF mode: AF-C

[jack williamson]

This is very good Dan, just wish that the flower petal did not intersect the head. Still a beautiful shot, I think the bg looks good here.

Jack

[Matthew Studebaker]

nice job on the lighting, great bird and flower. I wonder if you would want to use a background with more natural colors? Some hummingbird photographers like vibrant colors even if they aren't natural, others want it to not look like a set-up.

[Shawn Zierman]

I rather like the bg achieved here, it has some intriguing features and does not look overtly phony. The hummer looks killer good. Nice flash work. The flowers are really overpowering the bird here...size wise, and partially covering up the bird. Wonder about getting rid of one of the flowers to achieve more visual balance between the hummer and the flower...