Known for its stealth and the brilliance of its feathers, the hummingbird It has been an extraordinary bird in the eyes of anyone, bringing with it the power to invoke myth and magic in numerous civilizations.
But, the contrast that exists between the hummingbird and the human is not arbitrary: its speed makes it an instant stolen from time –a little unattainable jewel– that causes fascination for everyone. Hence the genius with which many have managed to capture it in photographs is unique. Most of all, capturing his wings in an image.
In another time, the velvety vision of its feathers would have been impossible. The life of this bird is like a clock, which more than having sand, seems to bring magic to all floral bodies. In addition, precipitation also runs through your body. The hummingbird’s heart pumps blood more than 1,200 times per minute. This way of living paradoxically hastens his death. His life is very short and the chances of his vitality going out can occur at any second. This is another proof of the difficulty to photograph it. The skill required to do this depends on both the photographer and the type of camera being used. In brief we present some tips to achieve a perfect capture:
Find your resting place
Because hummingbirds are very territorial, once their preferred resting spot is found, photography is a breeze. This is because they don’t tend to explore new places, they are shy, and they prefer to be in unfamiliar territory.
You can also create your own hummingbird feeder
There are stores dedicated to selling exclusive items for birds. In them you can find hummingbird feeders, as well as all the necessary knowledge to attract one. One of the most common ways is to put sweetened water in your feeder, without any artificial ingredients. You will see that in a few weeks you will have many hummingbirds willing to pose.
The ISO must be higher than 800
The use of ISO should be at least 800. Otherwise, the speed with which the bird moves could go unnoticed. In this sense, the ISO helps to compensate for the dexterity with which the hummingbird handles itself in the air.
Camera shutter should be greater than 1/100
In order to focus and stabilize the bird on the camera, this is essential. Otherwise, the presence of the animal in the image may be blurred.
Do not use external lights to photograph him
Contrary to what many would think, using artificial light can be a problem. The reason is in the color of these wonderful beings. External use of any type of flash can ruin your tone on camera.
Use the proper zoom
To capture detail and finesse, zoom is essential. It is recommended to use a 100-400mm lens at 300mm. If, however, a desired depth or range is not achieved, a telescope can be used. In this way, the spirit of the bird can be seen in the portraits that the artist makes with his camera.
Undoubtedly, not everyone can take a photograph of this small animal, but the portrait of its transience and beauty is a very precious ode.
*Images: 3) Gregory «Slobirdr» Smith – flickr; 5) Image from BW flickr; 6) Image from Blueviking63 flickr; 7, 8) Image by David Denicolò flickr /Creative Commons
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