Ghost Wings with Flash Blur

[Brian Wong]

EOS 40D 70-200/2.8 1.4xTC @160mm
1/60, f/10, ISO 1600, Flash extender -1, tripod mount, manual exposure off histogram

Ghost Wings with Flash Blur

Anna hummingbird.

Tried a very slow 1/60 shutter speed with a flash extender (attempted to balance the flash to the existing natural light). I thought the resulting ghost wing effect was very interesting, as well as the (1st? or rear?) curtain flash effect seen on the bill (looks like the hummingbird pulled back slightly).

Thank you for looking, and your suggestions are appreciated.

[Doug Brown]

It's an interesting effect, and you've got a nice sharp subject with a pretty BG. I like the wing blur, but I'm not sure how I feel about the blur in the beak. You've either got a case of the bird moving forwards with first curtain sync or backwards with second curtain sync. I'd prefer to see motion blur behind the bird. Thanks for posting!

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the details, light and BG and would prefer the tip of the bill to be in focus.

[Aristotle Georgiou]

Nice blur effect, light and BG looks great.

[Arthur Morris]

Hey Brian, I am fine with the blur of the bill and the wings but the blur of the head just above the forehead bugs me. It would be easy to lose that with a QM.