Buff-tailed Coronet - Colombia

[Dorian Anderson]

This is a heavily set-up shot (nectar feeder out of frame left), but I was happy with my use of flash and the detail it rendered.

Provided perch was boring, but the set-up wasn't terribly amenable to manipulation give the time I had.

Hummingbirds have incredible control of their feathers, particularly those around the head and neck. This guy has his facial
feathers raised in a territorial defense display.

I exposed for the overcast scene, then used flash to throw direct light on the subject and minimize shadows from mostly
diffuse but overhead light. Background is a distant pasture.

Canon 600mm f/4 IS II + 1.4x III on EOS 1DX2
1/250 at f/9, ISO 320, Manual flash at 1/16
Processed in LR CC without trickery. Just a few basic sliders.

[Krishna Prasad kotti]

Flash bring out the colors nicely. Too much of Flash for my Taste.

I would definitely burn the perch.

Overall I like the background colors and the feathers on the bird.

TFS

[Paul Burdett]

No nitpics from me Dorian. This is gorgeous...and I'm fine with the amount of flash...it really brings out the colours and detail. I would tone down the perch a little however (burn not dodge) TFS

[Aditya Sridhar]

Love this shot Dorian! I'm actually ok with this level of flash. As Paul mentioned, it does bring out a lot of color and detail. I would maybe tone down the greens and yellows a touch though - they're just a bit too saturated for my taste. I would also suggest a composition with slightly less room on the LHS and just a bit more on the RHS. The metallic sheen on the plumage is gorgeous! Great work.

[Alex Becker]

Nice colors and perch. Flash looks ok to me, as does the saturation. My only 'concern' with the flash is that the catchlight looks too centered IMO against the natural catchlight above. I'm not sure if I would completely clone it out however. Details look good. Maybe a bit less on the left, more on the right crop wise. TFS

[gail bisson]

I think this is great. I love, love, the fluffed out feathers on the face.
Really makes the image.
I think the flash work looks good although I can tell it was flashed.
I think the BG is a lovely foil to this HB and the perch is fine. I would move the bird slightly to the left as Aditya has suggested.
Nicely done,
Gail

[arash_hazeghi]

I like the pose and the close up details. the orange/brown in the shoulder really stands out. if mine I'd tone down the bright spots on its feet and on the perch

TFS

[John Mack]

Very nice view of this hummer. Then feathers on the face form a very neat pattern. Like the pose and the background is excellent. Yeah it looks flashed but i would take this anyday.

[Mervyn Marsh]

Nice shot, looks good, like the setting, cheers, Merv

[Dorian Anderson]

Incorporating the suggested changes, subtle as most of them were!