Bird Photography
The most challenging subject in the world of bird photography is the hummingbird. This jeweled bundle of energy has the ability to zoom around at record breaking speeds causing frustration for many a photographer. This article is written to help give you some tips so you can take better hummingbird pictures.
Set out the Hummingbird Welcome Mat
Most places in North America have hummingbirds either seasonally or year round. Just ask your local Audubon Society on when you should put out your hummingbird feeders. You can also find out if the hummingbirds in your area migrate so you can remove the feeders in time for the hummingbirds to migrate and avoid freezing in the cold.
Every serious hummingbird photographer needs a hummingbird feeder. When looking for a feeder, make sure you have one that is easy to clean and that it is easy to fill with sugar water.
Most birders suggest using 4 parts water to 1 part sugar or you can also try using a 3:1 mixture as well. Keep the feeders filled so that the hummingbirds don't head to a more reliable nectar station. However you should take them down periodically to clean but put them right back up. Also never use food coloring because it can cause dangerous growth on the hummingbirds beaks and it's not needed to attract them.
Feeders, Perches and Flowers
One of the biggest challenges with photographing hummingbirds is that they rarely sit still. They are almost constantly darting here and there. Many photographers try following the hummingbirds (with camera in hand) in the hopes of getting a shot. However, don't do that as it is best staying in one position and being patient.
You want to think about the kind of bird pictures you want and then set things up to help increase your chances of getting the shot. After that, it's a matter of getting comfy and having your camera ready. Many photographers use tripods or monopods so the camera's always ready. Some photographers use blinds so they can move without worrying about scaring off a hummingbird.
If you want photographs of hummingbirds hovering, remove the perches from your feeders. And if you plug all the holes but one it will be easier to get a pictures of one hummingbird at a time. You'll still have the ones that are zipping around trying to get the one at the feeder to move on, but that will happen regardless.
Now if you want to take pictures of hummingbirds perching, watch where the dominant male goes after he fills up at the feeder. Usually, hummingbirds will perch where they have a good view of the feeder. And if the perch isn't a good location for you to get photos, do some rearranging. Move the feeder closer to a perch that works for you.
Or move it farther from the natural perches and add a perch near it in a photo friendly location. As long as the hummingbird can keep a watchful eye for predators, it won't mind relocating. Eventually the hummingbirds will get used to you and your camera, but movement will likely frighten them off so make sure you're in a quiet area with very little activity.
If you have a beautiful flower that the hummingbirds never visit (and would make a great photo), try using an eye dropper and gently fill the flower with some sugar water. This only works for a short time though because after a couple hours the blossom will wilt and then it will die.
As with the feeders and perches, you can also bring flowers to your location by hanging a basket of flowers. However no matter if you use a flower or feeder, you'll still only have about 8 seconds tops to take your pictures. Still, it pays to be patient and not press the shutter until after the hummer's had a sip of nectar. Otherwise if the flash frightens them off, they won't have as much incentive to venture back.
Check Your Background
The best background for hummingbird photography is something dark green that doesn't have any distractions in it like brown twigs or branches. If you want a “moveable” background try a dark green potted plant or even a large green painted poster board. The best thing you can have is a dark background so the hummingbirds bright colors can really stand out.
If you look for hummingbird pictures in google images you'll get a good idea of what backgrounds work and what doesn't. Note how brilliantly colored hummingbirds fade into some backgrounds, like the bright green, sun lit trees and shrubs. A shaded area behind the flower, feeder or perch works well too.
You can use photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop Elements, to blur the background and make the hummingbird stand out from the background. Adobe has tutorials on this on their website.
Lights, Camera, Action
After you have things set up it's just a matter of finding a nice, comfy place to sit nearby with your tripod and camera. In order to freeze their beating wings, you will need a high speed flash but you can still get some great pictures with a good compact camera by using these tips.
And once you get some great hummingbird pictures, make sure to share them by putting them in frames that make the photo stand out. If you have a picture with a green or dark background, simple dark green picture frames or dark wood picture frames can help set off the colorful jeweled tones of the hummingbird beautifully.
Even though hummingbirds can be very tricky to photograph, by using these tips and having some patience you will soon be enjoying your beautiful collection of hummingbird pictures displayed in photo frames on the wall.