Everyone, it's been a while. A lot of things have happened for the first quarter of 2009, not much of it positive... However, things are on the upswing it seems, so I've been out for the first time this year to photograph birds. Two weekends ago I put up the hummingbird feeders... Within 20 seconds the first male landed...
I've wanted desperately to get some perched shots to compliment my in-flight portfolio of images. Today I finally got out the big fast glass and boy was I glad that I did! Not so good lighting... very overcast and quite windy - 20+ mph!
Taken with the K10D + FA* 300/2.8 and Tamron 1.4x Pz-AF TC. It took me just approx. 30-40 minutes to get this close to my little returnees. I was just beyond the MFD for the lens. No cropping in the first image. Only default conversion from RAW in ACR, no additional sharpening. Taken ISO 640, 1/160 sec. in 20+ mph winds.
There is a slight cropping on the left (~ 60 pixels) to remove an annoying tip of a leaf out of the image. Obviously it's too centered for my liking in terms of a strong composition, but the details at 1/100 sec. in windy weather turned out quite nicely. Both images hold up very, very well at 100%...
Considering the conditions under which you were shooting, the results are superb. It is no small feat getting hummers to land on a convenient branch. I am glad you made the effort.
Some minor critiques: You might try cloning out those leaves that are closest to the bird, just to keep them from distracting from the subject. A little experimentation with brightness or curves would really make the colors pop.
Excellent job Marc. Thanks for explaining the conditions and the process, that was enlightening. Like them both a lot but the second one is my favorite.
Discussion
6 repliesEveryone, it's been a while. A lot of things have happened for the first quarter of 2009, not much of it positive...
I've wanted desperately to get some perched shots to compliment my in-flight portfolio of images. Today I finally got out the big fast glass and boy was I glad that I did! Not so good lighting... very overcast and quite windy - 20+ mph!
Taken with the K10D + FA* 300/2.8 and Tamron 1.4x Pz-AF TC. It took me just approx. 30-40 minutes to get this close to my little returnees. I was just beyond the MFD for the lens. No cropping in the first image. Only default conversion from RAW in ACR, no additional sharpening. Taken ISO 640, 1/160 sec. in 20+ mph winds.
There is a slight cropping on the left (~ 60 pixels) to remove an annoying tip of a leaf out of the image. Obviously it's too centered for my liking in terms of a strong composition, but the details at 1/100 sec. in windy weather turned out quite nicely. Both images hold up very, very well at 100%...
Some minor critiques: You might try cloning out those leaves that are closest to the bird, just to keep them from distracting from the subject. A little experimentation with brightness or curves would really make the colors pop.
A first class effort and result.
Thanks for sharing the details it is a great help for me when trying to emulate the shot. Still awaiting my first of the year hummer.