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Thread: Hummer at Flower

  1. #1
    david cramer
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    Default Hummer at Flower

    Just getting around to setting up for hummingbirds. This is a four flash setup (three on the bird and one on the bg). Cloned out two of the flashes in the eye and a slight blur line along top of the wing. I need to spice up the bg some.

    D300, 500vr, f/10, 1/320, iso 400, ev -0.33 tripod mount

    Last edited by david cramer; 08-21-2009 at 10:56 AM.

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    A little too much flash for me in this one, I also see a fair bit of noise in BG . I do like the simplicity of the singe flower, and you gotta love the tongue.

    Lou

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    Lifetime Member Doug Brown's Avatar
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    Nice first effort David. Good detail although perhaps a little oversharpened. Not a lot of depth to the image. Repositioning the flashes can create a nice sense of depth. f/10 may be a little too wide open; I usually use f/16-f/22.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Doug Brown View Post
    Nice first effort David. Good detail although perhaps a little oversharpened. Not a lot of depth to the image. Repositioning the flashes can create a nice sense of depth. f/10 may be a little too wide open; I usually use f/16-f/22.
    Have to take Doug's word on that, :), but understand and agree re sharpening and sense of depth. Look forward to more David.

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    Forum Participant Joe Senzatimore's Avatar
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    Agree about flash being a bit overdone. Nice wing position and comp.

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    While I like the concept, it all feels a bit clipped out to me. Technically this may relate to the DOF comments earlier. In particular the tongue. The lines along the breast and flower are so hard that it feels like they could be two separate images that are compiled. The feet also start to feel like they are getting ready to perch which makes my brain start to look for a branch or stem that may have been removed. I'll say all this with the admission that I prefer more natural looking backgrounds - so take it for what it is worth to your own sensibilities.

  7. #7
    Erich Stevens
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    David,

    Agree w/Doug's point and would also like to see a bit more canvas all around. But for a first effort I think it's outstanding. Wish it were my shot!

  8. #8
    david cramer
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    Thanks much. I'll keep at it!

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    Dave
    Think you're getting a bum ramp, for a 1st effort with only 4 flashes, this is quite good
    Crop is fine, great wing position, love the tongue and HA looks good

    Bird looks a tad over sharpened and some noise in BKGD - but these are PS issues.

    The choice of BKGD is highly personal - some prefer simpler, monotone BKGD's while others prefer multitone BKGD's trying to emulate the bird's natural settings. Your BKGD was a good choice to match the rufous underparts of HB. Looks like you positioned the flash illumanating the BKGD off-centre , too far to the right (there's a light gradient from right to left).

    Not sure why you're using 1/320 , f10 and -0.33EV. You should never exceed synch speed of your flash (usually 1/200 or 1/250) and working at f20-f22 gives you better DOF. If you haven't already - The guide by Linda Robins gives you an easy setup method for confirming optimal flash setup and f-stops

    If you're serious about HB photography, invest in another 1-2 flashes

    Nicely done - hope to see more
    PH

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    Terrific pose
    TFS

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    other than the over sharpening a Bit, I love the pose and colours, also as suggested need to be toned down a bit, still loved it, congrats...

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    Super pose and bg. Great comp and exposure well done

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