I got some last year, and I had to use a ton of hardware to catch them. It's almost not possible if there aren't a ton of them flying around. All the nerdy tech specs on flash power vs. duration become really important, too.
Discussion
Birds in flight are fun. Freezing their action makes how they move even more incredible. A few shots I got of a red wing black bird defending their nest as I was walking by.
Hummingbird is top tier, beautiful shots!
That bird looks angry af. What shutter speed was that? I shot some really crispy seagull photos, but they were basically just hovering in the wind.
If have to dig them out to check the exif, but it was fast. I had the aperature stopped down to maintain focus more easily, but it was full sunlight on a cloudy day, so still a very short shutter speed.
And yes it was very angry 😂 I was on a walkway out in the reeds, and the nest was nearby. It kept climbing and then dive bombing trying to scare me away.
I just tried 1/8000 in full, clear, noon sun and it's not even close for the hummingbirds. I think I was at 1/64 power on the speedlights to freeze the motion, so effectively about 1/35000 shutter speed.
Embiggened versions:
Yuge
The flash is nice to make them pop out of the picture too. Your pics have a very "3D" look to them. I like that effect sometimes too, using some flash in daylight can create interesting effects.
The side profile one was a 6x6 mini softbox next to the feeder, about 6" from the bird. You can see it reflected in the eye. Then another light opposite side, no modifier, about 3 feet away, maybe a stop cooler than the main. Flash duration on that one is slower because it was at higher power, and that's why you can kind of see through the wings. I'd bring it closer next time. Big aperture on a 35mm lens so it has the wide-angle perspective, but still pops off the background. Tons of shit hanging off a C stand, tripod, etc. and waiting for one to fly through the pre-focused spot. Camera to bird is maybe a foot. Fun fact, they poop sugar.
0/10 but would do again.
Wow, that's a setup 🤩 I've only ever done on camera, or a handheld flash off to the side 😂
2 speedlights and 3 PocketWizards should be on everyone's wish list for maximum nerdery.
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If you don't have anything nice…. Oh sorry forgot yer married
They are magical little creatures ♾️✨