After getting behind the curve the last couple of weeks of 2014, I'm back trying to shoot something every day. Had a decent-enough start today with this hummingbird -- I think it's an Anna's.
7D2, ISO 800, f/13, 1/125 on paper but it was 100% flash (Better Beamer) so effective SS was more like 1/10,000. 300mm f/2.8L IS, 1.4x II. I could have put on the 1.4x III but it was on the 600 and it was a snap decision to harass the hummingbirds. Doesn't seem to make much difference on the old 300. I was mostly interested in a quick unscientific check of AF, after some bad reports, which I was pleased with.
This one landed on a branch farther away than I was set up for but M flash exposure was still good. It's 35% of the original frame. Very basic LR processing and into PS to clone out a small piece of branch intruding from the left. Slight NR on the BG (Nik Dfine) but I don't think it would show in a JPEG at this size -- the noise was very low, and the resolution within expectations. I processed it in DPP4 for comparison and the results were virtually identical to LR.
Anyhow, Happy New Year to everyone and best wishes for great photography!
Beautiful hummingbird. I like the thin twig perch, and the BG looks good. Good use of flash, and I like the bit of iridescence it created on the plumage. I'd look into adding a bit more contrast and saturation. Too bad the head is cocked back a bit as it makes the subject appear higher than it likely was. Details are perfect, and the square comp works very well here.
I like the background colors and soft transitions/shapes...though the soft line transecting head could have worked out better. Gorgeous bird! Love the head plumage as the colors begin to fill in. Squarish crop sits well with my visual eye. On the left edge of the frame right above the perch, there are little funky processing marks. Use of flash is strong but not over the top...One consideration would be to tone down the flash catchlight and make it a little smaller in post....No attractants?
Thanks, guys! Good catch on the clumsy cloning, Shawn. I try to be more careful. That was where the bit of a stray branch was removed. I was undecided about that OOF branch transecting the head -- I had toned it down but liked it better there, so that part of the image was as captured. I have toned it down a bit here with some partial-opacity cloning and added some color and contrast, but this little guy was just very colorless. I also toned down the catchlight a little in the RP.
There is a feeder nearby. We're down to just a few of them this winter but they hang out in this wisteria and guard the feeder, so I guess that's attracted. There are only a few branches that afford a decent shot but the branch wasn't an arranged perch.
Hummingbird
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