Secrets of Backyard Bird Photography by J. Chris Hansen

Author:J. Chris Hansen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rocky Nook
Published: 2014-03-18T16:00:00+00:00

Wireless radio flash trigger. On the left is the sending unit for the camera, and the receiving unit for the flash is on the right.

In a basic hummingbird set-up, two flashes are placed roughly two feet from the feeder spout of a hummingbird feeder at a 45-degree angle. They are aimed at a point about 7 inches away from the feeder to catch the hummingbird when it backs up to take a break from feeding. The other two flashes are used to light up the backdrop. They are placed at the same height as the feeder at 45-degree angles facing the background. The key here is to use the light of the flashes to expose your subject, and to use as little ambient light as possible.

In order to minimize ambient light, it’s best to photograph hummingbirds in the shade. One simple solution is to photograph under an awning or porch, or to use an instant shade pop-up that is 8 feet × 8 feet or larger. That way most of the light is coming from the flashes. A shady spot is also a pleasant place to photograph on a hot, sunny day. When photographing using a pop-up, be aware that flashes will pick up a slight color cast of the fabric that will be apparent in the image. White pop-ups are the best because they have no color cast and act as a giant reflector. However, they have the disadvantage of being able to cut less ambient light. This issue can be solved by throwing a dark tarp over the top of the pop-up before beginning to photograph. Take down your pop-up before it rains or snows, and be sure to have it properly anchored to keep it from blowing over in the wind. I speak from experience when I say that they have a tendency to self-destruct under these conditions.

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