Green Violet-ear

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

I have been having lots of fun with my multi flash set up and had been lucky also since some cool hummers had pose for me! :) I am working on making a natural-looking image, please let me know if this can be possible when using flash ;) ha ha ha, well, at least is a good exercise!

MarkIV+300f/4@f/16+ISO400+ss1/200+3speedlites on bird, 1 on background. For this one I used a relatively common plant that grows in the same are where the bird occurs, something that is critical for me since I am trying to represent the most natural image possible. In this case I used a stachytarpheta mutabilis (pink snakeweed). Almost full frame and minor post processing in PS.

Your comments and suggestions are most welcome.

[Marina Scarr]

Juan Carlos, you really outdid yourself with this capture. The comp is over the top. You did a terrific job with your flash set up. You really made the BG look natural. The colors and details are awesome. This is one of the best hummer images I have seen here.

[Arthur Morris]

Agree on superb. Wing position and the arc of the flower combine elegantly. You might wish to take about 1/3 off the empty space at the top for better balance. Tell us about your background please.

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Tell us about your background please.

Many thanks to Marina and Artie for your kind comments. :)
I regularly make pictures of OOF forests that catch my eye. For this one I used one of the OOF prints that I previously made.

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks JC. It is mostly loverly but the tan area right behind the bird is a distraction. Go make a better one :). Did you learn from Linda Robbins' guide? How many flashed are you using.

BYW, it looks as natural as could be.

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Thanks JC. It is mostly loverly but the tan area right behind the bird is a distraction. Go make a better one :). Did you learn from Linda Robbins' guide? How many flashed are you using.

BYW, it looks as natural as could be.

I see what you mean about the tan behind the bird. No Arthur, I learned by myself. Currently I am using 3 flashes on bird and one on background. Thanks again for your kind comment. ;)

[Arthur Morris]

YAW. Kudos on learning yourself. You are doing great with only three flashes. By the time Linda gave up she was using 6-8 flashes.

[Miguel Palaviccini]

Juan Carlos, you did a great job of setting up to get this shot. The exposure is spot on and the balance between your subject and background is superb. With only 3 flashes, I think you nailed it. No unwanted shadows, so I can't imagine adding another flash to the set-up.

Looking forward to seeing some more if you have them.

Miguel

[LinzRiverBalmer]

very nice, I would increase the highlight in the eye just a bit so that the eye stands out a bit more on this narrow headed bird. Is this a broad billed hummer??
Maybe soften the saturation on the pink flowers just a tad so that there is more definition between each flower.
gorgeous subject and set up, way more patience than I would ever have.

[christopher galeski]

its all been said,beautiful image.

[hennieloots]

Hi Juan - Beautiful capture. No critique, just loved looking at this.
TFS
Hennie

[Karl Egressy]

Beautiful image, nice composition, Juan.

[Girish Prahalad]

superb comp! love the size of the bird in the frame. excellent flash work.

[Satish Ranadive]

Absolutely superb image with wonderful perch,beautiful pose of bird and color scheme.
Just love the frame.

Regards,
Satish.

[Lorant Voros]

Hat's off for this one. BG looks totally natural, pose, flower and the whole set up is great. Your flash technique is awesome. Congratulations, Juan Carlos.

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Many thanks every one for your kind comments and excellent suggestions. Will put the in practice next time ;)

[Greg Oakley]

Awesome image Juan Carlos - best hummer shot I've seen for a while

[Robert Kimbrell]

That over the top, just beautiful. If ever I try to shoot hummers, I would refer back to this.

[Doug Brown]

Your flash work looks solid Juan Carlos. I love the curve of the flower and the placement of the bird in the frame. I think the BG looks quite natural. I like Artie's suggestion to crop a bit off the top. Minor issues for me include the missing feather on the bird and what appears to be sugar water on some of the leaves. Overall a nice job!