Hummingbird Photos- Taking Great Pictures of Birds

March 8th, 2010 |

With their fast darting action, hummingbirds can be one of the most challenging subjects to photograph and frustrate even the best of photographers. This article will give you some simple tips to attract these fast moving birds so you can take some eye catching pictures.

Set out the Hummingbird Welcome Mat

Most places in North America are visited by hummingbirds, some year round, others seasonally. Just ask your local Audubon Society on when you should put out your hummingbird feeders. You can also find out if the hummingbirds in your area migrate so you can remove the feeders in time for the hummingbirds to migrate and avoid freezing in the cold.

Every serious hummingbird photographer needs to have a good hummingbird feeder. When looking for a feeder, make sure you have one that is easy to clean and that it is easy to fill with sugar water.

Most birders suggest using 4 parts water to 1 part sugar or you can also try using a 3:1 mixture as well. Keep the feeders filled so that the hummingbirds don’t head to a more reliable nectar station. However you should take them down periodically to clean but put them right back up. Also never use food coloring because it can cause dangerous growth on the hummingbirds beaks and it’s not needed to attract them.

Hummingbird Feeders, Perches and Flowers

One of the biggest challenges with photographing hummingbirds is that they rarely sit still. Hummingbirds are always in constant motion so it makes photographing them very difficult. Many photographers try following the hummingbirds (with camera in hand) in the hopes of getting a shot. However, don’t do that as it is best staying in one position and being patient.

You want to think about the kind of bird pictures you want and then set things up to help increase your chances of getting the shot. After you’re all set up, all you have to do is have your camera ready and get comfortable. You should consider using a stabilizer device like a tripod so the camera is always ready and stable for the next shot. Some photographers use blinds so they can move without worrying about scaring off a hummingbird.

If you want a picture of a hummingbird hovering, you will need take off the perches on the feeder. Although this may seem a little mean, if you plug up all of the holes on the feeder but one it will make it easier to get a good hummingbird picture. You’ll still have the ones that are zipping around trying to get the one at the feeder to move on, but that will happen regardless.

Now if you want to take a picture of a hummingbird perching, watch where the dominant male goes after he gets a drink at the feeder. Usually they will perch where they have a good view of the feeder. And if the perch isn’t a good location for you to get photos, do some rearranging. Move the feeder closer to a perch that works for you.

You can also move it farther from the natural perches and add a new perch that is in a photo friendly location. The hummingbirds won’t mind as long as they can safely keep a look out for predators. Eventually the hummingbirds will get used to you and your camera, but movement will likely frighten them off so make sure you’re in a quiet area with very little activity.

If you have a beautiful flower that the hummingbirds never visit (and would make a great photo), try using an eye dropper and gently fill the flower with some sugar water. You’ll need to work fast however, as the flower will start to wilt after just a few hours.

As with the feeders and perches, you can also bring flowers to your location by hanging a basket of flowers. However no matter if you use a flower or feeder, you’ll still only have about 8 seconds tops to take your pictures. Still, it pays to be patient and not press the shutter until after the hummer’s had a sip of nectar. If your flash frightens them off, it’s likely they won’t return to the feeder.

Check Your Background

The best background for hummingbird photography is something dark green that doesn’t have any distractions in it like brown twigs or branches. If you want a mobile background try a dark green potted plant or a painted poster board. The best thing you can have is a dark background so the hummingbirds bright colors can really stand out.

Hummingbird photos in Google Images will give a good idea of what type of backgrounds work and don’t work. Note how brilliantly colored hummingbirds fade into some backgrounds, like the bright green, sun lit trees and shrubs. A shady area near a feeder, perch or flower also works well too.

You can use photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop Elements, to blur the background and make the hummingbird stand out from the background. You can also look on Adobe’s website for tutorials.

Lights – Camera – Action

After you have things set up it’s just a matter of finding a nice, comfy place to sit nearby with your tripod and camera. To freeze the motion of their wings, you’ll need a high speed flash, but you can still use these tips to get some really nice photos with even a decent compact camera.

Remember, hummingbirds may be the most challenging subject in bird photography, but with some patience you will soon have a nice collection of hummingbird photography to frame and display in your home.

About the Author

Autumn Lockwood is a writer for YourPictureFrames.com and loves shopping for picture frames. If you’re looking for black picture frames, visit our website or call us at 1-800-780-0-699.