July 19 Photography : Getting Close

We put up a couple hummingbird feeders this year and I have spent hours trying to shoot a good photo of the birds in flight but have not had any luck. I have used my good Nikon and my iPhone on a tripod. It is hard to get close enough to focus without scaring the bird away.

 

Try using a zoom lens, like a 200mm. Using zoom is another way to do macro. But yes, it is hard. The more you just sit out there the more used they will be to you. Focus on part of the feeder and then hope they are equal distance from you as that spot when they show up. Of course, a very fast shutter speed helps too.

The hummers at my mom's house are very used to people on the porch. I was about 10ft away and used my zoom out to 200mm. These were hand held. And yes, I took 100's just to get these few good ones. If you get one in focus, then you can also crop it in closer.

 

Super job here. i have scads of them with the beak in the feeder, but I can't catch them flying. I will keep working on it.

 

Indeed. Now that is another challenge to work on!

Here is a site that someone shared with me with tips. http://www.rpphoto.com/howto/hummer/humguide2.asp

 

Love all of these. I need to get out my camera this wee

 

I knew what I was picking right away!!

 

I suppose I can live without bees, and this certainly is not my child's favorite toy, but I do love to sit on my deck with my phone and take pictures of the little buggers.