Butch Mazzuca  


The Bird & the Bees by Butch Mazzuca

November 2024 - The Bird & the Bees

November 2024 - Butch Mazzuca

Original

About the Image(s)

We’ve all seen hundreds of humming bird images, especially high key with white backgrounds which are great for kitchen and bathroom walls, and while I’ve never found them particularly interesting, I’ve always wondered how they were shot and had to try it myself. My first few attempts were a bust when I tried stopping the action with shutter speed and learned that 1/8000th second won’t do it. But a friend told me about a ‘how to’ workshop where the organizer arraanged for a location with high hummingbird population, and supplied the bird feeders and extra flashes since I only own four and needed to borrow a couple. He did a quick tutorial and charged $250 and gave each of us a couple of hours to do whatever wanted - I chose to use an area where I saw a lot of bees because frankly, I find hummingbird shots boring and thought the bees added a lot to the scene. There were 4 other photographers there and everyone did their own thing although we swapped backgrounds with each other (I liked my own best) I tried using the natural background but the dark green forest just did not work, the image needed a lighter backdrop lighted with a flash.

This was a bit tricky and here's how I did it.

Canon R5 ??“ Canon 100-500 at 270mm ??“ Tripod ??“ six (6) linked flashes ??“ hummingbird feeder
1. Camera on a tripod - settings ISO 500 ??“ f22 ??“ 1/160th second
2. Hummingbird feeder just out of the frame
3. Flower bought at a local grocery store on a table 8 feet in front of the camera and about a foot from the feeder (goal to attract hummingbirds and bees to the feeder)
4. I then used an eyedropper to place a few drops of sugar water between the petals of the flower hoping the hummingbirds and the bees would stop and feed from the flower before they got to the feeder ??“ they did :-)
5. I brought several cardboard backdrops and played with them until I found the right mix of color and reflectiveness (is that a word?) and place my favorite 8 feet behind the table.
6. I used my Pocket Wizard to link six flashes set at 1/32nd power, (note 1/32nd power has a during of 1/20,000th second) ??“ that’s how I froze the action of the hummingbird and the bees
7. Three flashes between the camera and the flower facing the flower to light the “target area” above the flower; one flash behind the flower but facing towards the flower to backlight the “target area” above the flower. Two flashes about 12” either side of the backdrop to light the backdrop. Note, once I had my settings, if the background was too dark instead of changing settings, I would move the flashes closer to the backdrop; if too bright, I would move the flashes a couple of inches further from the backdrop
8. I Pre-focused on the target area directly above the yellow flower
9. Used a remote trigger and sat and waited, and every time a hummingbird or a bee hovered in the “target area” above the flower, I triggered the flashes
10. I took a couple of thousand shots over a period of about 3 hours and got 8 good shots of a hummingbird (or birds) in the same frame with a bee or bees.

Candidly, I felt like I was shooting deer in a zoo but it was something I just had to try. They don’t hang anywhere in my home, but a different shot took 2nd place in a club competition in the captive and controlled category.


This round’s discussion is now closed!
7 comments posted




Roy Lockwood   Roy Lockwood
Butch after all that work, I hesitate to comment. I have trouble with one flash! I did think it might look a little better if it was less beesy.   Posted: 11/10/2024 21:27:48
Comment Image
Butch Mazzuca   Butch Mazzuca
I've seen soooo many humingbird shots I wanted something different, an interaction or at least a proximity of two species - if was fun doing it :-)   Posted: 11/10/2024 22:34:52
Roy Lockwood   Roy Lockwood
I agree with you. coming up with a new perspective of a well photographed subject is daunting. We have a few Bald Eagles around here, but getting a unique shot has proven to be very elusive. BTY I like the eye catch just below the wing.   Posted: 11/11/2024 00:07:10



Butch Mazzuca   Butch Mazzuca
Catch light is critical with wildlife - that's why I had four flashes surround the flower   Posted: 11/11/2024 01:59:37



Peter Hornbostel   Peter Hornbostel
Butch, the first thing I realized is, that this an interior shot through a window? I know, that humming birds are living in darkened rooms (or it seems to be darker, when you are shooting from in- to outside), so it's very difficult to get the right light. You did it! Congrats! You captured the movement, sharp, where the picture must be sharp. The additional bees enridges the story. Well done, no suggestions!   Posted: 11/11/2024 08:49:21
Butch Mazzuca   Butch Mazzuca
Thank you Peter - everything was outdoors and it took much experimenting to get the light 'right' and I'm still not sure I did although your comments made me feel good about the it :-)   Posted: 11/11/2024 12:27:09



Kathleen Sewell   Kathleen Sewell
I love your gorgeous composition as is ~ the bright complementary colors and softest background adorned with flower, bees and bird. A beautiful story of the natural world!   Posted: 11/12/2024 23:15:13