Nikon D7000 w/Nikkor 80-400mm vr lens @ 370mm, tripod mounted
ISO 400; f/18, 1/250sec; MM - 0.67
SB-800 strobe illumination w/four SB-26 optical slaves (power 1/16), firing simultaneously.
On June 11, I posted an image in this forum of a ruby-throated hummingbird at a day lily. Many of you replied, suggesting that the background for my image was not terrific, and that I could make other changes in my setup that would improve my results. Others, outside of BPN, also commented on the flower I used previously, and made helpful suggestions in that regard. What you see here is my response to all who critiqued my prior image, which includes many BPN members and moderators, and Greg Basco.
Changes I've made since my prior post include the following:
ISO has been decreased and my lens has been opened a bit. The fabric background has been replaced with a new one. To produce this new background, I took a D300/28-300mm vrII lens combo out into parts of our 11-acre conservation area, looking for interesting areas for backgrounds. When I found them, I switched to manual focus, blurred the background images, and fired away. The results from a number of these shots were then printed 13x19 inches on matte paper.
One of the printed backgrounds was then placed on an easel behind our hummingbirds, to produce this image.
The day lily in my prior post has been replaced with a Monarda flower. And this flower, which was also spiked with sugar water to attract our hummers, also has some leaves.
Please tell me, is this image of a male Ruby-throated hummingbird visiting our Monarda flower an improvement over my prior effort, and how can I do better?
Norm







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