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Thread: Hummingbird - head-on

  1. #1
    BPN Member Terry Johnson's Avatar
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    Default Hummingbird - head-on

    Name:  Hummingbird 012214-1-small.jpg
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    Hello, I took this a few minutes ago in my back yard in Lake Oswego, Oregon

    Info:

    Nikon D800
    Nikon 70-200mm zoom with 2.0 teleconverter for 400mm
    F5.6
    1/250
    Flash at -1
    ISO-180

    Pretty bird, not the best head angle...Terry Johnson

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    I'm not sure what to think about Head-on head angles.
    I've been struggling with that question as I'm reviewing my own files.
    I'd like to hear from others on this forum but my best guess is that Head-on rarely works.
    However, in this case it does give you a good look at the gorget.
    Plus, as best as I can tell the eyes look like they are in focus.
    Despite that I don't think it works.

    Another issue is the use of flash. I see it like spicing. Some like it hot and others don't.
    Personally I think flash is most effective if no one can tell that you used it. In this picture it looks to me like flash was used.
    You might try a -2 stop setting or lower.

  3. #3
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    Head-on is definitely working for me in this image. Both eyes showing (with catchlights), gorget nicely displayed and the chin (beak) up pose gives it a lot of character.
    And honestly, I'd take a head-on look any day over a head turned away look (which you seemed to prefer in your last two posts)
    Does have a flashed look, but I think you can tame it in post processing.
    The perch is minimal and excellent. I'd crop from the left a bit.

  4. #4
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    I photo hummingbirds a lot and even though I'll shoot some head on, it's usually only when they display really vibrant colors like Anna's hummers. Here is an example: http://www.az-pics.com/Arizona/Wild-Life/i-WB4LxKM/A

    I also have to comment on the "flash look". A bit too much, stopping it down another full stop would help or use a multi flash set up. It helps reduce any kind of shadows, allows me to shoot at a higher smaller aperture for better detail.

    Keep them coming, I like looking at all kinds of hummingbirds.

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