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My best Hummer yet ?

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Fish Chris

Fish Chris

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Location
Suisun City, US
I don't want to bore anybody..... and yes, I'm still shooting all kinds of other stuff too..... but I have been really trying to perfect these Hummer shots, and yesterday, I finally got a nice one with some greenery behind the bird, and looky here... It really does have a bill ! :-)

Exif: 1/5000, F3.6, Chrome setting, Iso 200, Macro with zoom, from 18 inches, neutral flash.

Just to nitpick, the tip of his wings are just a bit blurred, but I'm not sure if that was because they were leaving the focus zone, or if I need to shorten my shutter speed to 1/6000 or 1/7000 ?... any guesses on this ?

Also, those leaves in the background are a bit course (too large of dark and light areas) have a great idea for this the next time though.

.....all of this, and if I could just shoot one with more direct sunlight, I think it will make the birds head really beam like a jewel :-)

Your thoughts ? Please be very critical.



Peace,
Fish
 
You might notice a red cast to the leaves.... I'm almost sure this was because the sun was very low on the horizon. My question for you guys is, would you leave the colors as they are, to depict how they really were at the time the shot was taken ? Or would you remove red / add cyan to try to make it look like more of a mid day shot ?

Just curious,
Fish
Fish Chris said:
I don't want to bore anybody..... and yes, I'm still shooting all
kinds of other stuff too..... but I have been really trying to
perfect these Hummer shots, and yesterday, I finally got a nice one
with some greenery behind the bird, and looky here... It really
does have a bill ! :-)
Exif: 1/5000, F3.6, Chrome setting, Iso 200, Macro with zoom, from
18 inches, neutral flash.

Just to nitpick, the tip of his wings are just a bit blurred, but
I'm not sure if that was because they were leaving the focus zone,
or if I need to shorten my shutter speed to 1/6000 or 1/7000 ?...
any guesses on this ?
Also, those leaves in the background are a bit course (too large of
dark and light areas) have a great idea for this the next time
though.
.....all of this, and if I could just shoot one with more direct
sunlight, I think it will make the birds head really beam like a
jewel :-)

Your thoughts ? Please be very critical.



Peace,
Fish
Click to expand...
 
Fish Chris said:
You might notice a red cast to the leaves.... I'm almost sure this
was because the sun was very low on the horizon. My question for
you guys is, would you leave the colors as they are, to depict how
they really were at the time the shot was taken ? Or would you
remove red / add cyan to try to make it look like more of a mid day
shot ?

Just curious,
Click to expand...
I think this one looks fantastic. As is.

--
best,
shudder
Fish Chris said:
Fish Chris said:
Fish Chris said:
PIX: http://www.mmcphoto.com
MIX: http://www.artistlaunch.com/mmc
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
shudder said:
Fish Chris said:
You might notice a red cast to the leaves.... I'm almost sure this
was because the sun was very low on the horizon. My question for
you guys is, would you leave the colors as they are, to depict how
they really were at the time the shot was taken ? Or would you
remove red / add cyan to try to make it look like more of a mid day
shot ?

Just curious,
Click to expand...
I think this one looks fantastic. As is.

--
best,
shudder
shudder said:
shudder said:
shudder said:
PIX: http://www.mmcphoto.com
MIX: http://www.artistlaunch.com/mmc
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Agreed. The local hummingbirds are all talking about having you do their next family portraits :-)
M7
 
Chris, Stunning shot, with them wings beating at a million miles a second you managed to freeze them very well. I like the shot alot but if I had to critique anything about it, it would be the super saturated background. That bright foliage detracts slightly from the birds great color. I adjusted the background saturation down some and slightly boosted the birds saturation to get this:



I did a quick hack job on the small photo you posted so it didnt come out as well if I was working with a full size shot. Not sure if I like it any better but figured I would post it anyways. If you request it I will take it down immediately (some ppl are sensitive to others messing with their shots, I never sensed that from you though)

Anyways, amazing job of capturing one of the toughest shots to get, them darn birds is jittery and quick.
Take care, Ted'
Fish Chris said:
I don't want to bore anybody..... and yes, I'm still shooting all
kinds of other stuff too..... but I have been really trying to
perfect these Hummer shots, and yesterday, I finally got a nice one
with some greenery behind the bird, and looky here... It really
does have a bill ! :-)
Exif: 1/5000, F3.6, Chrome setting, Iso 200, Macro with zoom, from
18 inches, neutral flash.

Just to nitpick, the tip of his wings are just a bit blurred, but
I'm not sure if that was because they were leaving the focus zone,
or if I need to shorten my shutter speed to 1/6000 or 1/7000 ?...
any guesses on this ?
Also, those leaves in the background are a bit course (too large of
dark and light areas) have a great idea for this the next time
though.
.....all of this, and if I could just shoot one with more direct
sunlight, I think it will make the birds head really beam like a
jewel :-)

Your thoughts ? Please be very critical.



Peace,
Fish
Click to expand...
--
http://www.pbase.com/tdkd13
 
I think this is a superb shot as is, but honesty I like hummer pics better with the wings blurred from the movement (just my taste), I know this was not your goal though, so it's very well done. About the background, I think Tdkd13 tweking is perfect for this pic as it really makes the subject stand out, good job too.

Regards,
Fernando
 
Wow what a great shot, I love these nifty little birds, the tweaked shot does look sharp too, what great work though getting a picture of these marvelous creatures..WELL DONE.

What camera is it by the way, lookin at the shutter speed im guessin that as this is a fuji forum its a 602z or higher spec camera? Ive just bought a 602z so hope to shoot an image half as good as this one day hehe :)
FernandoBatista said:
I think this is a superb shot as is, but honesty I like hummer pics
better with the wings blurred from the movement (just my taste), I
know this was not your goal though, so it's very well done. About
the background, I think Tdkd13 tweking is perfect for this pic as
it really makes the subject stand out, good job too.

Regards,
Fernando
Click to expand...
 
A great picture Chris!
Which camera are you using?
Popa Tim
Fish Chris said:
I don't want to bore anybody..... and yes, I'm still shooting all
kinds of other stuff too..... but I have been really trying to
perfect these Hummer shots, and yesterday, I finally got a nice one
with some greenery behind the bird, and looky here... It really
does have a bill ! :-)
Exif: 1/5000, F3.6, Chrome setting, Iso 200, Macro with zoom, from
18 inches, neutral flash.

Just to nitpick, the tip of his wings are just a bit blurred, but
I'm not sure if that was because they were leaving the focus zone,
or if I need to shorten my shutter speed to 1/6000 or 1/7000 ?...
any guesses on this ?
Also, those leaves in the background are a bit course (too large of
dark and light areas) have a great idea for this the next time
though.
.....all of this, and if I could just shoot one with more direct
sunlight, I think it will make the birds head really beam like a
jewel :-)

Your thoughts ? Please be very critical.
Click to expand...
Fish Chris said:
Peace,
Fish
Click to expand...
 
Now you are getting there Fish. Just hang a piece of black velvet or black board behind the bird.

Moris
Fish Chris said:
I don't want to bore anybody..... and yes, I'm still shooting all
kinds of other stuff too..... but I have been really trying to
perfect these Hummer shots, and yesterday, I finally got a nice one
with some greenery behind the bird, and looky here... It really
does have a bill ! :-)
Exif: 1/5000, F3.6, Chrome setting, Iso 200, Macro with zoom, from
18 inches, neutral flash.

Just to nitpick, the tip of his wings are just a bit blurred, but
I'm not sure if that was because they were leaving the focus zone,
or if I need to shorten my shutter speed to 1/6000 or 1/7000 ?...
any guesses on this ?
Also, those leaves in the background are a bit course (too large of
dark and light areas) have a great idea for this the next time
though.
.....all of this, and if I could just shoot one with more direct
sunlight, I think it will make the birds head really beam like a
jewel :-)

Your thoughts ? Please be very critical.



Peace,
Fish
Click to expand...
--



http://qcpages.qc.edu/~morris/POD
 
I totally agree with your assessment. I assume you did this processing with a "layering" technique ? It's looks great !!! Thank you ! I have never played with individual layers in PPP.... but this makes me want to try. In any case, I'm wondering, if I were to send you the large file size of this same shot, would you mind doing the exact same adjustments to it, and sending it back to me ? Even if I figure out how to do this myself, that would be a good guideline for me to follow, in my attempts.

Thanks again,
Fish
tdkd13 said:


I did a quick hack job on the small photo you posted so it didnt
come out as well if I was working with a full size shot. Not sure
if I like it any better but figured I would post it anyways. If you
request it I will take it down immediately (some ppl are sensitive
to others messing with their shots, I never sensed that from you
though)
Anyways, amazing job of capturing one of the toughest shots to get,
them darn birds is jittery and quick.
Take care, Ted'
Fish Chris said:
I don't want to bore anybody..... and yes, I'm still shooting all
kinds of other stuff too..... but I have been really trying to
perfect these Hummer shots, and yesterday, I finally got a nice one
with some greenery behind the bird, and looky here... It really
does have a bill ! :-)
Exif: 1/5000, F3.6, Chrome setting, Iso 200, Macro with zoom, from
18 inches, neutral flash.

Just to nitpick, the tip of his wings are just a bit blurred, but
I'm not sure if that was because they were leaving the focus zone,
or if I need to shorten my shutter speed to 1/6000 or 1/7000 ?...
any guesses on this ?
Also, those leaves in the background are a bit course (too large of
dark and light areas) have a great idea for this the next time
though.
.....all of this, and if I could just shoot one with more direct
sunlight, I think it will make the birds head really beam like a
jewel :-)

Your thoughts ? Please be very critical.



Peace,
Fish
Click to expand...
--
http://www.pbase.com/tdkd13
Click to expand...
 
Thank you. The "blurred wing" shots are very nice also. I might be trying for some of those shortly (as soon as I get to the point where I feel I have done all that I can do on the sharp wing shots).

Peace,
Fish
FernandoBatista said:
I think this is a superb shot as is, but honesty I like hummer pics
better with the wings blurred from the movement (just my taste), I
know this was not your goal though, so it's very well done. About
the background, I think Tdkd13 tweking is perfect for this pic as
it really makes the subject stand out, good job too.

Regards,
Fernando
Click to expand...
 
I'm sorry.... These were taken with my S7000...... and I just have to say this again, the more I learn how to use this camera, the more I love it ! :-)

Peace,
Fish
JimRockford said:
FernandoBatista said:
I think this is a superb shot as is, but honesty I like hummer pics
better with the wings blurred from the movement (just my taste), I
know this was not your goal though, so it's very well done. About
the background, I think Tdkd13 tweking is perfect for this pic as
it really makes the subject stand out, good job too.

Regards,
Fernando
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
PopaTim said:
Fish Chris said:
I don't want to bore anybody..... and yes, I'm still shooting all
kinds of other stuff too..... but I have been really trying to
perfect these Hummer shots, and yesterday, I finally got a nice one
with some greenery behind the bird, and looky here... It really
does have a bill ! :-)
Exif: 1/5000, F3.6, Chrome setting, Iso 200, Macro with zoom, from
18 inches, neutral flash.

Just to nitpick, the tip of his wings are just a bit blurred, but
I'm not sure if that was because they were leaving the focus zone,
or if I need to shorten my shutter speed to 1/6000 or 1/7000 ?...
any guesses on this ?
Also, those leaves in the background are a bit course (too large of
dark and light areas) have a great idea for this the next time
though.
.....all of this, and if I could just shoot one with more direct
sunlight, I think it will make the birds head really beam like a
jewel :-)

Your thoughts ? Please be very critical.
Click to expand...
PopaTim said:
Peace,
Fish
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Thank you. A black background you said ? That's easy.... all I have to do is not have anything closer than a few feet, under shaded conditions, and the background blacks out all by itself..... But remember the problems I had with the bill not showing up ? Interesting thing is though, that even in this shot, the bill is over a darker part of the background, but yet it still showed up just fine ??? Wonder why sometimes the bill gets a nice touch of shine on it which makes it very visible, while in other shots, it all but disapeers ?

Anyway, I think I like the green, leafy background..... but even more so with it darkened / muted, and the bird saturated a bit more, like with the excellent PPP done by tdkd13.

Peace,
Fish
morris said:
Moris
Fish Chris said:
I don't want to bore anybody..... and yes, I'm still shooting all
kinds of other stuff too..... but I have been really trying to
perfect these Hummer shots, and yesterday, I finally got a nice one
with some greenery behind the bird, and looky here... It really
does have a bill ! :-)
Exif: 1/5000, F3.6, Chrome setting, Iso 200, Macro with zoom, from
18 inches, neutral flash.

Just to nitpick, the tip of his wings are just a bit blurred, but
I'm not sure if that was because they were leaving the focus zone,
or if I need to shorten my shutter speed to 1/6000 or 1/7000 ?...
any guesses on this ?
Also, those leaves in the background are a bit course (too large of
dark and light areas) have a great idea for this the next time
though.
.....all of this, and if I could just shoot one with more direct
sunlight, I think it will make the birds head really beam like a
jewel :-)

Your thoughts ? Please be very critical.



Peace,
Fish
Click to expand...
--



http://qcpages.qc.edu/~morris/POD
Click to expand...
 
The next time I'm at my buddies for a Hummer shoot, I will take a photo of my Hummer photo setup, with my 3800, and will post it here. These speedy little guys are really not that hard to photograph with a setup like this..... and its a lot of fun too :-)

I need to have my 3800 in my lap anyway, as during each of my Hummer shoots, at least once or twice, I have had a Hummer fly up to within a couple feet of my face, and then stop and hover around to check me out (probably thinking..... "Look at that big, slow, lumbering oaf.... He couldn't catch me if he wanted too" LOL :-)

Peace,
Fish
Fish Chris said:
Peace,
Fish
morris said:
Moris
Fish Chris said:
I don't want to bore anybody..... and yes, I'm still shooting all
kinds of other stuff too..... but I have been really trying to
perfect these Hummer shots, and yesterday, I finally got a nice one
with some greenery behind the bird, and looky here... It really
does have a bill ! :-)
Exif: 1/5000, F3.6, Chrome setting, Iso 200, Macro with zoom, from
18 inches, neutral flash.

Just to nitpick, the tip of his wings are just a bit blurred, but
I'm not sure if that was because they were leaving the focus zone,
or if I need to shorten my shutter speed to 1/6000 or 1/7000 ?...
any guesses on this ?
Also, those leaves in the background are a bit course (too large of
dark and light areas) have a great idea for this the next time
though.
.....all of this, and if I could just shoot one with more direct
sunlight, I think it will make the birds head really beam like a
jewel :-)

Your thoughts ? Please be very critical.



Peace,
Fish
Click to expand...
--



http://qcpages.qc.edu/~morris/POD
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
(but first off, he didn't ask me to post this one for him, and I can just here him saying, "I know I will get a better one... you should have waited"..... but ya' know what ? I think this is a really pleasing shot :-)

.....taken by my buddy, Big Fish Brown, with his S7000, which was also sitting on a tripod about 2 feet away from mine, but at a different angle, with a different target zone. His was aimed at a twig on which this Hummer likes to rest on after a drink. I think this looks so much nicer than a red plastic feeder perch. Btw, some of you may be surprised to learn, that most Hummers spend as much as 80% of there time sitting and resting, but they hide themselves very well, and are often simply overlooked.



Nice shot buddy,
Peace,
Fish
Fish Chris said:
I need to have my 3800 in my lap anyway, as during each of my
Hummer shoots, at least once or twice, I have had a Hummer fly up
to within a couple feet of my face, and then stop and hover around
to check me out (probably thinking..... "Look at that big, slow,
lumbering oaf.... He couldn't catch me if he wanted too" LOL :-)

Peace,
Fish
Fish Chris said:
Peace,
Fish
morris said:
Moris
Fish Chris said:
I don't want to bore anybody..... and yes, I'm still shooting all
kinds of other stuff too..... but I have been really trying to
perfect these Hummer shots, and yesterday, I finally got a nice one
with some greenery behind the bird, and looky here... It really
does have a bill ! :-)
Exif: 1/5000, F3.6, Chrome setting, Iso 200, Macro with zoom, from
18 inches, neutral flash.

Just to nitpick, the tip of his wings are just a bit blurred, but
I'm not sure if that was because they were leaving the focus zone,
or if I need to shorten my shutter speed to 1/6000 or 1/7000 ?...
any guesses on this ?
Also, those leaves in the background are a bit course (too large of
dark and light areas) have a great idea for this the next time
though.
.....all of this, and if I could just shoot one with more direct
sunlight, I think it will make the birds head really beam like a
jewel :-)

Your thoughts ? Please be very critical.



Peace,
Fish
Click to expand...
--



http://qcpages.qc.edu/~morris/POD
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice!
Fish Chris said:
.....taken by my buddy, Big Fish Brown, with his S7000, which was
also sitting on a tripod about 2 feet away from mine, but at a
different angle, with a different target zone. His was aimed at a
twig on which this Hummer likes to rest on after a drink. I think
this looks so much nicer than a red plastic feeder perch. Btw, some
of you may be surprised to learn, that most Hummers spend as much
as 80% of there time sitting and resting, but they hide themselves
very well, and are often simply overlooked.



Nice shot buddy,
Peace,
Fish
Fish Chris said:
I need to have my 3800 in my lap anyway, as during each of my
Hummer shoots, at least once or twice, I have had a Hummer fly up
to within a couple feet of my face, and then stop and hover around
to check me out (probably thinking..... "Look at that big, slow,
lumbering oaf.... He couldn't catch me if he wanted too" LOL :-)

Peace,
Fish
Fish Chris said:
Peace,
Fish
morris said:
Moris
Fish Chris said:
I don't want to bore anybody..... and yes, I'm still shooting all
kinds of other stuff too..... but I have been really trying to
perfect these Hummer shots, and yesterday, I finally got a nice one
with some greenery behind the bird, and looky here... It really
does have a bill ! :-)
Exif: 1/5000, F3.6, Chrome setting, Iso 200, Macro with zoom, from
18 inches, neutral flash.

Just to nitpick, the tip of his wings are just a bit blurred, but
I'm not sure if that was because they were leaving the focus zone,
or if I need to shorten my shutter speed to 1/6000 or 1/7000 ?...
any guesses on this ?
Also, those leaves in the background are a bit course (too large of
dark and light areas) have a great idea for this the next time
though.
.....all of this, and if I could just shoot one with more direct
sunlight, I think it will make the birds head really beam like a
jewel :-)

Your thoughts ? Please be very critical.



Peace,
Fish
Click to expand...
--



http://qcpages.qc.edu/~morris/POD
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Fish Chris said:
I don't want to bore anybody..... and yes, I'm still shooting all
kinds of other stuff too..... but I have been really trying to
perfect these Hummer shots, and yesterday, I finally got a nice one
with some greenery behind the bird, and looky here... It really
does have a bill ! :-)
Exif: 1/5000, F3.6, Chrome setting, Iso 200, Macro with zoom, from
18 inches, neutral flash.

Just to nitpick, the tip of his wings are just a bit blurred, but
I'm not sure if that was because they were leaving the focus zone,
or if I need to shorten my shutter speed to 1/6000 or 1/7000 ?...
any guesses on this ?
Also, those leaves in the background are a bit course (too large of
dark and light areas) have a great idea for this the next time
though.
.....all of this, and if I could just shoot one with more direct
sunlight, I think it will make the birds head really beam like a
jewel :-)

Your thoughts ? Please be very critical.



Peace,
Fish
Click to expand...
I'd say you nailed Fish. Great return for your effort and I like the background. I wouldn't worry about the wing tips, it's such a minor thing. You've done the right thing in getting the shot with the wings at the top of the stroke anyay.
 
Chris, All I did was select the background using the magic wand and the "add-to-selection" command (shift key) then just adjusted the saturation with the sliders. I would be happy to do the same to the full size file if you want, just email it to me at
[email protected]

It really is a very nice shot, I cant imagine how you got so close to the darn bird to begin with.
Take care, Ted
Fish Chris said:
Thanks again,
Fish
tdkd13 said:


I did a quick hack job on the small photo you posted so it didnt
come out as well if I was working with a full size shot. Not sure
if I like it any better but figured I would post it anyways. If you
request it I will take it down immediately (some ppl are sensitive
to others messing with their shots, I never sensed that from you
though)
Anyways, amazing job of capturing one of the toughest shots to get,
them darn birds is jittery and quick.
Take care, Ted'
Fish Chris said:
I don't want to bore anybody..... and yes, I'm still shooting all
kinds of other stuff too..... but I have been really trying to
perfect these Hummer shots, and yesterday, I finally got a nice one
with some greenery behind the bird, and looky here... It really
does have a bill ! :-)
Exif: 1/5000, F3.6, Chrome setting, Iso 200, Macro with zoom, from
18 inches, neutral flash.

Just to nitpick, the tip of his wings are just a bit blurred, but
I'm not sure if that was because they were leaving the focus zone,
or if I need to shorten my shutter speed to 1/6000 or 1/7000 ?...
any guesses on this ?
Also, those leaves in the background are a bit course (too large of
dark and light areas) have a great idea for this the next time
though.
.....all of this, and if I could just shoot one with more direct
sunlight, I think it will make the birds head really beam like a
jewel :-)

Your thoughts ? Please be very critical.



Peace,
Fish
Click to expand...
--
http://www.pbase.com/tdkd13
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
http://www.pbase.com/tdkd13
 
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