Bird species: Rufous hummingbird
File Name: 20070310_0802_100_0436_contest.jpg
Copyright: Gregory J. Scott, 2007.
Email: home@gregscott.com
Saved from raw image software with automatic setting.
There were no additional digital alterations except cropping and saving as a high quality JPG.
Taken at Cave Creek Canyon, Arizona March 10, 2007 Taken with a Canon 5d set at manual, shutter 1/200 sec, ISO 100, tripod mounted.
The lens was a Canon 100mm F2.8 macro lens set at F20, manually prefocused on the spot where the hummingbird hovered in front of the birdfeeder.
A custom Olson "Ultra" flash was used on low power, with 4 flash heads, each tripod mounted, and a flash duration of 1/33000 second. The flash is triggered with a sync cable from the camera. The flash has no automatic features.
I don't recall if the shot was taken in bright light or shade. At these settings, it could have been either.
A white cardboard was used for a background. It appears grey because it is illuminated by the flash but is farther away than the bird.
A shutter release cable was used to allow waiting for birds while seated and shooting photos without much movement.
I preset exposure by photographing my hand properly in test shots.
I preset focus by putting a blade of grass in the port of the hummingbird feeder to focus a few inches away from the feeder, so I could crop the feeder out of the shot.
The flash heads were just over a foot from the feeder, as well as the front of the camera lens.
There were flash heads on each side of the camera, one high on the right side, and another aimed at the cardboard background.They were as close to the camera as the tripods would allow.

Posted by Greg Scott on Mon, 07/30/07 17:20
[ Back to Index | Home | Previous Image | Next Image ]

Comments by Greg Scott on Mon, 07/30/07 18:00 Oh, you can see the image full resolution and with less compression at: http://www.gregscott.com/gjs_2007_spring/hummingbird/20070311_1948_100_0560.rufous_humminbird.html The detail is very important in this photo, so it's worth it. Click on the image on the image in the html page to see the jpg alone in your browser, then your browser should be able to show it to you at full resolution. Comments by Bahman Farzad on Mon, 07/30/07 18:03 beautifully captured. your hard work and skill paid off! Comments by Mo Fridlich on Mon, 07/30/07 18:09 Good things come to those that wait patiently! Comments by Jan Bjorklund on Mon, 07/30/07 19:16 As you say the details are really important and those details on the form of the hummingbird come through strongly in your composition. The contrast between the coloring of the hummingbird and the background, the catchlight in the eye of the little bird, and the textural component all work together with the detailing to create a striking image of the hummingbird. Comments by Pietro Cecchi on Mon, 07/30/07 19:58 splendid image, splendid creature... thank you for sharing, Greg Comments by david leahy on Mon, 07/30/07 21:12 wow. really fine capture and this is not easy.... thanks for the detail. Comments by Rick Longworth on Mon, 07/30/07 22:23 Bravo! Comments by Ruth Rittichier on Mon, 07/30/07 22:39 Fantastic! Comments by Julie M. Dant on Mon, 07/30/07 22:44 I've never seen a better shot. Splendid. Comments by Rafael Seibert on Mon, 07/30/07 23:29 Yes, splendid rufous. -Raf Comments by Greg Scott on Wed, 08/01/07 10:01 Thanks for your comments, y'all. I appreciate it. Comments by Maria Salvador on Wed, 08/01/07 10:19 Splendid is the word for me, also! Comments by Joseph Liftik on Wed, 08/01/07 14:27 wow, such a precise image with the bird in fight! Comments by Linda Frey on Thu, 08/02/07 12:04 Excellent set-up and carry-through! Comments by Mark Rothwell on Thu, 08/09/07 04:59 Stunning Shot!! Thanks also for sharing the setup and technique. Comments by Michael Hibbitts on Sun, 08/12/07 21:59 !!!