In The Box vs. OOTB Hummers: feedback please!

[Doug Brown]

I went over to a friend's house to do some multiple flash hummingbird photography a couple of weeks ago. No sooner did I set up than it clouded over, got windy, and started to sprinkle. My background blew over, but I got a couple of images with the flashes and no artificial BG before I decided to call it a day. This frame really caught my eye. It has an OOTB look and feel but is decidedly in the box. Does it work for you?



Canon 7D, 400mm, f/16, 1/160, ISO 320, 3 flashes, hand held

[Arthur Morris]

I like it. Bummer that the bird with its back to us has such worn primaries. I love the o-o-f bird. I am guessing Black-chinned in the BKGR.... What is the front bird.

I am amazed that you did not get a black BKGR. Did the BKGR flash throw some light on the natural BKGR?

[Greg Basco]

Doug, you know my photographic box is pretty big, so this totally fits for me. I'm guessing ISO 320 was just enough to give a hint of green to the BG, or was it the flash as Arthur says? It's an interesting effect either way.

Cheers,
Greg Basco

[Doug Brown]

I don't think the flashes lit up the BG at all because the natural BG was relatively far away. I suspect there was enough ambient light reaching the sensor to give the BG a hint of color.

[Stu Bowie]

Hey Doug, lovely iridescence of the HB in the FG, and with a great flying posture. Sharp, and the HB in the BG seems to be mirroring the posture. Your natural BG works well.

[Aidan Briggs]

While a lighter BG would have been nice, this one works for me. The purple gorget of the OOF male really adds to the picture, and the spread tail feathers are nice as well.

[Arthur Morris]

I don't think the flashes lit up the BG at all because the natural BG was relatively far away. I suspect there was enough ambient light reaching the sensor to give the BG a hint of color.

Thanks but strange as it is usual to be working at least three stops below ambient with the multiple flash set-ups. It surely does not look like flash reached the BKGR. What are the two species (or are they both the same)?

[Alan Lillich]

Works for me, no doubt. You couldn't ask for better positioning of the back bird, framed by the front ones head and wing, far enough OOF to not take attention, close enough to be recognizable. I think the dark background is great, any lighter might take attention off the closer bird.

[Doug Brown]

Thanks for the thoughtful feedback everyone!