Bird Photography - Tips for Taking Hummingbird Pictures

In the world of bird photography, the hummingbird is certainly one of the most challenging to photograph. This little bundle of flying energy and it's ability to zoom and dart makes this bird one of the most challenging to photograph. This article is written to help give you some tips so you can take better hummingbird pictures.

Setting out the Welcome Mat

Most places in North America have hummingbirds either seasonally or year round. Your local Audubon Society can tell you when to set the feeders out. 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 a 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. By keeping the hummingbird feeders filled, you will encourage them to stick around instead of looking for a more reliable nectar source. 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.

Feeders, Perches and Flowers

The biggest challenge with taking hummingbird pictures is that they rarely hold still. Hummingbirds are constantly zooming and darting so it makes it difficult to photograph them. 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 consider the type of pictures you want, and then set things up to increase your chances of getting these photos. After that, it's a matter of getting comfy and having your camera ready. Many photographers use a stabilizer device like a tripod or monopod so the camera is always ready for the next shot. Some use blinds so they can move around and not frighten away the little fellows.

If you want pictures of the hummingbirds hovering, you'll need to remove the perches from your hummingbird feeder. And if you plug all the holes but one it will be easier to get a pictures of one hummingbird at a time. 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 pictures of hummingbirds perching, watch where the dominant male goes after he fills up at the feeder. Usually he will perch where he has a good view of his feeder. If the perch isn't in a good position for you to take pictures, you'll need to 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 hummingbird won't mind as long as he or she can keep an eye out for intruders. The hummingbirds will get used to you and your camera eventually but movement will likely frighten them off, so don't set things up in  an area of the yard that gets much activity.

If you have a particular flower that would make a lovely picture with the hummingbird but they are never there long enough for you to press the shutter release, try this photographer's trick: Using an eye dropper, gently fill the flower with some sugar water. This only works for a short time though because after a couple hours the blossom will wilt and then it will die.

As with feeders and perches, you can also hang a basket of flowers to help attract them for photographing. Regardless of what type of "feeder" your hummingbird uses, you will still have less than 8 seconds to take your picture. Always be patient and don't press the shutter release until the hummingbird has a had a sip of nectar or sugar water. Otherwise if the flash frightens them off, they won't have as much incentive to venture back.

Background Check

The best type of background for taking hummingbird pictures is something dark green that doesn't have any noticeable distractions like branches or twigs. 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. 

If you look for hummingbird pictures in google images you'll get a good idea of what backgrounds work and what doesn't. Hummingbirds will often fade into green or busy backgrounds making it impossible for them to stand out. A shaded area behind the feeder or perch also works well as a good background.

You can use photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop Elements, to blur the background and make the hummingbird stand out from the background.
Adobe has tutorials on this on their website.

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. In order to freeze their beating wings, you will need a high speed flash but you can still get some great pictures with a good compact camera by using these tips.

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.