For hummingbird lovers

[billd2]

I've really been having fun attempting a photo shoot standing on a ladder waiting for a hummingbird or two to pay me a visit. I thought one was going to dip in my ear he was so close and no I do not have cauliflower ears. I have probably learned more about my Nikon D-80 and it's settings in the last few days than I have in all the other ownership days combined. I've been using the auto setting just because it was the easiest path to a photo. However, I've been changing to the RAW setting along with the Shutter (S) and manual modes and feed in the flash. By experimenting I learn more. Also, the RAW editing is amazing. Anyway, I've added a couple more hummingbird photos to my gallery.

[smiles]

Wow, what great shots!!

[tnwaltz]

That's what is called being up close and personal. Great shots!

[jo]

Great shots, Bill! Just how close were you?

[DBradley]

WOW...that is all I can say! Beautiful pics...

[Lorri]

Those are great shots! You've succeeded in getting good wing images, something that is always soft in my hummingbird shots!

[Cmcburnett]

Bill awesome shot;) I'm still trying to get the perfect shot before they fly away for the winter.

[billd2]

Smiles, tnwaltz, Debbie, Lorri and jo, thank you for the kind replies. The bird photos are a learning experience for me both camera and editing. Also, the little birds are quite interesting and curious. They buzz around my head looking me over before taking a drink. Jo, I am about 3 feet from the birds when I take a picture. The only lens that I have that is fast enough is a Nikon Macro 105mm 2.8. I have to use a fast shutter speed with a wide aperture in order to stop the wing action in flight. I also have to enable the flash. Even then I have to increase exposure in the RAW editing program. Getting as close as I do causes a small depth of field and a focus problem. Maybe someone in the forum with more expierience can enlighten me on the subject.