A Warning to the Beginner
Photographing hummingbirds is among the most challenging of all nature photography. These birds are small, fast, and often difficult to locate. But the rewards are immense—hummingbirds are among the most dazzling of all birds.
Some Tips
For those of you up to the challenge of trying to capture hummingbirds on film, here are a few tips to consider when attempting to capture hummingbirds on film:
- Use a fast shutter speed to reduce blurring. Balance this as best possible with the use of a small aperature to allow for rapid positional changes of the bird in flight.
- Use a fast film speed to give you more flexibility with shutter speed and aperature settings. Consider using a flash for the same reason (even during the day) but be aware of the effects this may have on the bird's comfort and behavior (do not use at too close a range).
- Experiment with continuous shooting or exposure bracketing options if your camera offers those features.
Sources
For a list of sources used in the creation of this visual guide, please see the Recommended Reading page.