Bill Buchanan, HonPSA, FGDC
November 2024 - Madera Canyon, AZ
About the Image(s)
This month’s image is the result of my first attempt at photographing hummingbirds. It ain’t easy. While in Tucson I visited with an old friend of mine who used to be with my camera club in the 1970’s and early 80’s. He took me to a location called Madera Canyon. At this particular location they have several hanging hummingbird feeders. So, you sit on the provided benches and shoot away with hopes of capturing a winner.
This image was photographed with my new Olympus OM1 MKII with a 80-150 zoom lens plus a 1.4 extender. This one is perhaps the best of over 200 images that morning.
9 comments posted
Hi Bill
It never fails to amaze me how people can get such wonderful images of these tiny fast moving birds this is a fine example,DOF is spot on lovely lighting on the wings and rim light on the beak and a catchlight in the eye a shot to be proud of. Posted: 11/10/2024 16:22:32
It never fails to amaze me how people can get such wonderful images of these tiny fast moving birds this is a fine example,DOF is spot on lovely lighting on the wings and rim light on the beak and a catchlight in the eye a shot to be proud of. Posted: 11/10/2024 16:22:32
Bill, what most people - those who were not at Madera Canyon - will not appreciate is this. Not only did you perfectly stop this hummer, but you did it with absolutely none of the distracting bright spots that were in the background. Good choice of where to set up and what camera conditions to use. I was using shutter speeds at times as high as 1/6400 seconds to stop the wings. What SS were you using for this one? How many different species did you get while there? I managed to get 4 at Madera and another out in the Sonoran desert. Thanks for sharing. Posted: 11/10/2024 19:10:08
Hey Gary, I went back to my file and found this image. My ISO was 640. F4.0 @ 1/1000 of a second. I was using a Zuiko 40-150 mm lens plus a 1.4 extender. 260 mm. Posted: 11/12/2024 16:07:49
Bill, I'm pleased that you captured a few good images. As you remember there were a few hot areas in the background, but you handled the background using the correct settings. Good eye catch, sharp body, soft wings that show movement. Posted: 11/11/2024 05:27:59
Super shot, Bill. You got your camera settings just right and even got a catch light in the eye. In the days of slide film with ISO's of 50 - 400 it was said that it was almost impossible to freeze the wings of a humming bird. It would be interesting to know what your camera & lens settings were for this shot. Posted: 11/12/2024 11:26:31
Hey Guy, I went back to my file and found this image. My ISO was 640. F4.0 @ 1/1000 of a second. I was using a Zuiko 40-150 mm lens plus a 1.4 extender. 260 mm. Posted: 11/12/2024 16:30:43
Thanks Bill Posted: 11/12/2024 18:00:40
Bill, I am sorry that I missed the Arizona PSA convention this year and not being able to hang out with you guys. I was at the Santa Rita Lodge in Madera Canyon earlier this year with a friend since we went for a chasing storms (lightning) workshop and prior we stayed at the lodge for 2 night. Great opportunities for Hummingbird photography. I will post some of my captures in future submissions. Your SS of 1/1000 sec captured a sharp bird body and soft wings, which I like very much indication that this aerodynamic creatures can hover. To my eye, the crop is very tight with the wing almost touching the edge of the frame, and very little space in the front of the bird to fly into. Using the AI generative in Photoshop, I added some real state to the image.
As a bonus, the tip of the birds tongue is visible. Posted: 11/14/2024 15:19:38
As a bonus, the tip of the birds tongue is visible. Posted: 11/14/2024 15:19:38
Such a lovely image. You choose a good position to obtain that nice background. All the details are sharp and as pointed out the tip of the tongue as a bonus. These little birds are so cute. Posted: 11/20/2024 05:52:48