Hummingbird Photography - Skill Trumps Cash

Hummingbirds are deceptively easy to photograph.  They will hover by a feeder in bright sunlight long enough for just about anyone to snap a couple of shots.  The market is saturated with excellent photos.  I have no illusion that the world needs any new photos from me this year. 

 

I photograph hummingbirds because I'm fascinated by their grace and beauty.  I relish the challenge.  When I get a good shot, I raise the bar and challenge myself to do better.  I'll stop when I start taking photos that cannot be improved.

Hummingbirds are deceptively difficult to photograph.   The birds are tiny - so tiny that it's difficult to make a photo large enough to show detail that is also completely in focus.  Depth of field is so shallow that the bird has to be perfectly still in order to focus.  When they aren't hovering, the hummers move very quickly.  The wings area problem because they beat 60 times a second.  The only way to stop the wings in with a very fast shutter or flash.  The only way to get the wings in an exact position is to take a lot of photos.  We are attracted to the hummingbirds iridescent color but this color only occurs when the light hits the feathers at a specific angle.

Problem solving in photography depends on skill and cash.  Skill trumps cash.  I've identified several budget levels that you should consider if you want to give hummingbird photography a try.

Cheap

Entry Level SLR and entry level lens.  Find a feeder that attracts hummingbirds.  Increase the ISO on the camera so that you can use the highest shutter speed on the camera.  Get as close as can focus.  Move very slowly and you may be able to get a hungry hummer to come to a feeder next to your camera.  With enough practice, a $500 to $2000 investment can produce remarkable results.

Moderate 

Use all the techniques listed above.  A more expensive camera would give you more shutter speed and ISO options.  A more expensive lens would make a sharper photo, allow  you to move further away from the bird and you might be able to lower the ISO.  Purchase a tripod. With enough practice, a $2000 to 4000 investment can produce remarkable results.

Moderate with Flash

Add one or more speedlights that have adjustable power.  As you lower their power, the speed of the flash will increase.  If you can get the speed higher than 1/8000 second, you can stop the wings better than the camera shutter could.  Use manual settings on the camera and buy cheap radio controllers to fire the flashes.  With enough practice a $3000 to $5000 investment can produce remarkable results.

High End

Get the best camera your brand manufactures.  Get the best good long focal length lens you can afford. Buy 6 or more speed lights and the most dependable radio controllers you can find.  Purchase light stands and backgrounds to use with the lights.  Upgrade your  tripod. Travel to places that have an abundance of hummingbirds.  With enough practice a $10,000 to $50,000 investment can produce remarkable results.