Known for its stealth and the effulgence of its feathers, the hummingbird 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 a moment stolen from time – a small, unattainable jewel – that causes fascination for everyone. Hence the genius with which many have managed to capture it in photographs is unique. Above 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 a clock, which more than having sand, seems to bring magic to all the 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 its . Its life is very short and the possibility of its vitality going out can occur at any second. This is another proof of the difficulty of photographing it. The skill needed to do this depends on both the photographer and the type of camera being used. Briefly we present some tips to achieve a perfect capture:
Find your resting place
Because hummingbirds are very territorial, once you find their favorite roosting spot, photography is a breeze. This is because they do not usually explore new places, they are shy and prefer to be in territory they no longer know.
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 knowledge necessary to attract one. One of the most common ways is to put it in your feeder sweetened, without any artificial ingredients. You will see that in a few weeks you will have many hummingbirds willing to pose.
ISO must be higher than 800
The use of ISO should be a minimum of 800. Otherwise, the speed with which the bird moves could go unnoticed. In this sense, the ISO helps compensate for the dexterity with which the hummingbird handles itself in the air.
The camera shutter must be greater than 1/100
To focus and stabilize the bird in 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. Using any type of flash externally can ruin your tone on camera.
Use the appropriate zoom
To capture detail and delicacy, zoom is essential. It is recommended to use a 100-400mm to 300mm lens. If the desired depth or range is still 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.
Without a doubt, not everyone can take a photograph of this small animal, but the portrait of its 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