Female Broadtail hummer

[Tom Redd]

I took this yesterday morning, I liked the image, but ideally a different color background (besides green) would have been nice to contrast with the hummer. Also, the leaf on the right side I could crop out but then the blossom below becomes, just barely into the FOV and is distracting. If I crop until there is not leaf or lower blossom, then it is a large crop and becomes a bit more noisy, (already a significant crop). What would you do? Besides get closer to the subject. :) any suggestions?

Nikon D3s
Sigma 150-500mm
450 mm
f/6.3
1/2000
0 ev
ISO 500
AWB
No flash
Pattern metering

[Lance Peters]

Hi Tom - I would suggest you get Linda Robbins Hummingbird guide - dont get them out here in OZ Unfortunately.

Think I would have increased the ISO - You had plenty of SS but think some more DOF might have been called for.
The D3S can handle it (was shooting at 6400 today - very bleak day) Also think the lens probably performs a little better stopped down a bit more.

I sharpened the bird a little more - used content aware to remove the flower and the leaf - you can do heaps better done really quickly.

[Thanaboon Jearkjirm]

I would suggest moving a bit to right (if you can) so the bird will be more parallel to you, however that will not help with the leaf and the blossom. I do not mind about the green background at all. Wish we have these birds here in Thailand.

[Tom Redd]

Lance, that repost looks much better. Content Aware, is I believe, part of the newest version of Photoshop. Is it in Lightroom 3? I usually use Aperture - it is what I know and it is quick and easy. I have a copy of CS4 but really don't know how to utilize it. Is Content Aware part of CS4, do you know? Thank you for the advice and assistance. As an aside, I traveled to Australia last year, loved it, would love to get back there for more - so much to see and do!

[Lance Peters]

Lance, that repost looks much better. Content Aware, is I believe, part of the newest version of Photoshop. Is it in Lightroom 3? I usually use Aperture - it is what I know and it is quick and easy. I have a copy of CS4 but really don't know how to utilize it. Is Content Aware part of CS4, do you know? Thank you for the advice and assistance. As an aside, I traveled to Australia last year, loved it, would love to get back there for more - so much to see and do!

Hi Tom - no - its is only part of CS5 - you can achieve the same results with some quick masks or some careful cloning.

Robert O'toole APTATS CD has great info - easy to follow and works a treat for removing unwanted BG things.
:)