Photoshop Dying Sun
2008
Bird Photography
In the world of bird photography, the hummingbird is certainly one of the most challenging to photograph. This little bundle of flying energy and it's ability to zoom and dart makes this bird one of the most challenging to photograph. This article is written to help give you some tips so you can take better hummingbird pictures.
Set out the Hummingbird Welcome Mat
Most places in North America have hummingbirds either seasonally or year round. Your local Audubon Society can tell you when to set the feeders out. You can also find out from them if the hummingbirds in your area need to migrate, and if so, when you should take your feeders down so they don't get stranded in the cold.
Every serious hummingbird photographer needs a hummingbird feeder. When looking for a feeder, make sure you have one that is easy to clean and that it is easy to fill with sugar water.
Most birders suggest using 4 parts water to 1 part sugar or you can also try using a 3:1 mixture as well. By keeping the hummingbird feeders filled, you will encourage them to stick around instead of looking for a more reliable nectar source. However you should take them down periodically to clean but put them right back up. Also never use food coloring because it can cause dangerous growth on the hummingbirds beaks and it's not needed to attract them.
Hummingbird Feeders, Perches and Flowers
One of the biggest challenges with photographing hummingbirds is that they rarely sit still. Hummingbirds are constantly zooming and darting so it makes it difficult to photograph them. Many photographers make the mistake of trying to follow them with their camera in hand. However don't try following the hummingbirds but instead be patient and stay in one location.
You want to consider the type of pictures you want, and then set things up to increase your chances of getting these photos. After you're all set up, all you have to do is have your camera ready and get comfortable. Many photographers use a stabilizer device like a tripod or monopod so the camera is always ready for the next shot. Some use blinds so they can move around and not frighten away the little fellows.
If you want pictures of the hummingbirds hovering, you'll need to remove the perches from your hummingbird feeder. And if you plug all the holes but one it will be easier to get a pictures of one hummingbird at a time. You'll still have the ones that are zipping around trying to get the one at the feeder to move on, but that will happen regardless.
Now if you want to take pictures of hummingbirds perching, watch where the dominant male goes after he fills up at the feeder. Usually, hummingbirds will perch where they have a good view of the feeder. If the perch isn't in a good position for you to take pictures, you'll need to do some rearranging. Move the feeder closer to a perch that works for you.
Or move it farther from the natural perches and add a perch near it in a photo friendly location. As long as the hummingbird can keep a watchful eye for predators, it won't mind relocating. The hummingbirds will get used to you and your camera eventually but movement will likely frighten them off, so don't set things up in an area of the yard that gets much activity.
If you have a particular flower that would make a lovely picture with the hummingbird but they are never there long enough for you to press the shutter release, try this photographer's trick: Using an eye dropper, gently fill the flower with some sugar water. This only works for a short time though because after a couple hours the blossom will wilt and then it will die.
As with feeders and perches, you can also hang a basket of flowers to help attract them for photographing. Regardless of what type of "feeder" your hummingbird uses, you will still have less than 8 seconds to take your picture. Always be patient and don't press the shutter release until the hummingbird has a had a sip of nectar or sugar water. Otherwise if the flash frightens them off, they won't have as much incentive to venture back.
Background Check
The best background for hummingbird photography is something dark green that doesn't have any distractions in it like brown twigs or branches. If you want a "moveable" background try a dark green potted plant or even a large green painted poster board. The main thing is to have a dark background that makes the hummingbird's colors pop.
If you look for hummingbird pictures in google images you'll get a good idea of what backgrounds work and what doesn't. Hummingbirds will often fade into green or busy backgrounds making it impossible for them to stand out. A shaded area behind the feeder or perch also works well as a good background.
With a photo editor like Photoshop Elements, you can use the software's filters to blur the background, creating depth of field that puts the hummingbird in the spotlight so to speak. You can also find tutorials on this on websites like Adobe.
Lights - Camera - Action
Once you have your hummingbird feeding station set up, now you just need to find a comfy place to sit with your camera and tripod. To freeze the motion of their wings, you'll need a high speed flash, but you can still use these tips to get some really nice photos with even a decent compact camera.
And once you get some great hummingbird pictures, make sure to share them by putting them in frames that make the photo stand out. If you have a picture with a green or dark background, simple dark green picture frames or dark wood picture frames can help set off the colorful jeweled tones of the hummingbird beautifully.
Even though hummingbirds can be very tricky to photograph, by using these tips and having some patience you will soon be enjoying your beautiful collection of hummingbird pictures displayed in photo frames on the wall.
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