Backyard Hummer

[Herb Houghton]

This ruby throated female hummer has been sticking around since my butterfly bush is still blooming. This image was taken after sunset. The main light source was provided by handheld Stanley 2 million candlepower spotlight, supported against one tripod leg while shooting. This spotlight provides a nice warm color temp similar to golden light. mk IV, 800 f5.6 plus 1.4x III, iso 3200, f13, 1/60 shot in manual mode with 580 EX flash fired.

[Randy Stout]

Herb:

Interesting lighting technique, I have wondered about something similar for loons on the ultra dreary days we get.

Do the birds seem to respond to the light?

The perch is a nice scale, the way it ends bothers me a bit, and I might consider cropping from the right, even though I normally don't like leading lines exiting the frame.

Look forward to more images with this tech.

Cheers

Randy

[Arthur Morris]

Wicked sharp and yes to a good idea. When I saw the JPEG I thought, that light is strange. It still is :). Excellent pose and EXP but that perch leaves me wanting something thin with some character. Sweet BKGR.

[Herb Houghton]

Thanks for the comments Randy. As far as responding, this female responded very well. I have shots of her with droopy eyelids and closed, which I would think is when they're comfortable and not threatened. My flash has actually spooked the bird more often than not, so I came up with the idea of a steady, constant light source rather than high sync flash.

Thanks Artie. I could always change the color temp on the jpeg in ACR to a more natural looking, familiar light source's temp. As far as the perch, it was just an out of reach branch that wasn't trimmed, from an overgrown mulberry bush. The hummer loves it so I left it be. I guess I could whittle it down , but it might look unnatural then.

[Arthur Morris]

Thanks Artie. I could always change the color temp on the jpeg in ACR to a more natural looking, familiar light source's temp. As far as the perch, it was just an out of reach branch that wasn't trimmed, from an overgrown mulberry bush. The hummer loves it so I left it be. I guess I could whittle it down , but it might look unnatural then.

Just to clarify, the light/color temp. in the post here looks a a bit strange; it was not just the JPEG. I meant to mention originally that the master file might need a bit of Eye Doctor work. I would try this for the perch: find something dead and grey with character. Cut off the perch a few inches to the left of the nub that we see in the original post. Affix the pleasing perch to what's left of the original post with duct tape. In most cases the bird will take to it after a few curious passes. Ethically I have no problem with it as its a hedge.... Ooops. I just re-read. It is a bush in the garden--same thing :)

[Morkel Erasmus]

Very interesting lighting tech, Herb. Lovely details and very good for the ISO too...
Why do you still fire the flash? Is the spotlight not sufficient?

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

She's sweet and I like her pose and detail. I like the light but I see a little blue light in the eye maybe from the flash? It almost looks like you cloned the perch away from the right side edge as it gets so soft but could be the dof as well.

[Stu Bowie]

Super pose Herb, and interesting technique with the spotlight. I like the smooth BG.

[Herb Houghton]

Very interesting lighting tech, Herb. Lovely details and very good for the ISO too...
Why do you still fire the flash? Is the spotlight not sufficient?

Thanks Morkel, the flash added a bit better catchlight in the eye.

[Herb Houghton]

She's sweet and I like her pose and detail. I like the light but I see a little blue light in the eye maybe from the flash? It almost looks like you cloned the perch away from the right side edge as it gets so soft but could be the dof as well.

Thanks Cheryl, the blue light you see is from the flash, I actually cooked his eye and had to clone out the redeye in the lower half of the eye.