barbara_brundage

Hi, everyone. I have a question for all you successful digital photographers.

Let me start by saying that I am having the devil of a time with the little Canon, because my photographic technique is so antique that I've never used a camera that does everything for you like this one does. My nikkormat and its lenses date from before auto-everything and I can take photos that turn out tolerably well if everything is manual, but am having a hard time understanding how the Canon thinks, especially about depth of field and focal points.

Anyway, one day next week I am going to be in an area where there's a good chance I may see hummingbirds, which are not found in my neck of the woods. I would know what to do with the big camera, but I'm not going on a photo shoot per se and the best I will be able to do is to stick the s400 in my bag.

Does anyone have any suggestions for what to try for settings if I do see any? I'm guessing it would probably be in filtered shade, and a tripod is definitely out, unfortunately.

jodi_frye

Barb, take a look at this site. I'm almost positive i purchased a book with their amazing hummer photos in it ( can't check 'cause it's packed away at the moment ) but they give some good tips for photographing them....which I read with much interest.

<http://www.photosafaris.com/PhotographingHummingbirds.asp>

Barb,
I've had good luck using macro mode and shooting from a foot away around dusk. The little hummers don't have great vision at twilight, apparently . <http://home.attbi.com/~janb636/hummer.gif>

:-)

Brent

pete_d

Hmmm, Macro; Last we talked about this someone was going to do some
experiments to see how well a digital set to "macro" could be hand held. I
don't recall hearing back from that...

If it were me Barbara I would also take some in P. (auto). If it is not
too difficult to make the change off of macro. But the macro setting will
give you terrific close ups.... Prop yourself against something (or
someone).

Pete

barbara_brundage

Great photo, Brent!

Thanks for the link, Jodi. Wow, their photos are great, but without a team to hold all the flashes...

Thanks, Pete. I thought I remembered some discussion of this before.

jodi_frye

I just remembered the pic my mom sent of a ruby she photographed this past summer with her new olympus digi. It's kind of cool. I can't imaging how she did it....but she's always had a way with animals.

Here <http://www.mybizz.net/l/w/lwsfrye/Hum.jpg> it is.

A very composed little guy, isn't he ! <G>

jodi_frye

Ya and she didn't stick him in the fridge first to cool/calm him down either <G>

jane_carter

I've tried to photograph the hummers who come to our feeder and my flowers on our back porch, but I never have gotten a very good picture. They fly in and hover within a foot of my face(and camera) but I just don't know how to get a decent picture. They just love our Mimosa blossoms too.
They are the most wonderful little creature. I could watch them for hours.
Jane

ray

Jodi, the bird is so cute!