Poor image quality, but great context!

[jckegley]

This is a photo I took in the summer of 2005 at my mother's home it Oak Ridge TN. I love the context, a Bee Balm flower petal getting stuck on the Hummingbird's bill. She quickly shook her head and dislodged it. Too bad I was not prepared for the shot. Kind of like one of those fishing stories... the one that got away. Well this one didn't get away, but the image quality definitely did.

Taken with a Canon 20d (1/2000th sec, f/4, ISO 400, 300mm lens).

Wildlife Videos (http://www.wildlifesouth.com/Index.html)

[rpk717]

Joe, this is a super image from the subject point of view, I see why you like it. I think is pretty darn good from the technical side as well. Thanks for posting.

[mrsisu]

Joe, thanks for posting this shot as its so unique. Not bad technically either. Hope to see more of your work

[jckegley]

Glad you think the shot is interesting. I'll always regret not being ready. I doubt I will encounter that particular situation again.

I have photoshopped that pic to death trying to get all I could out of it, but in the end.... Photoshop can make can make a good photo better, but it can't make a mediocre photo good. The photograph was just a little to far on the other side of the fence.

[rpk717]

Joe,

One of the first hummers posted on this forum was from Don Rash. He posted a fairly unique image that goes well with yours as being an unusual shot. Here is a link I think you will enjoy.

Tinkling Hummingbird (http://www.cnpa.org/cnpabb/showthread.php?t=88)

[jckegley]

That is one of the funnest shots I have ever seen. Good detail in the photo too.:)

[ropawi]

Great shot. Talk about perfect timing.;)

[Photobiologist]

Cool shot! The action makes up for any technical deficiency in this one. Very humorous!

[ldow]

This is a really cute image. You might try photoshop again, crop tighter - some off the top, the left and the right - centering toward the V of the stems supporting as a focal center the hummingbird. Darken the lower edges, bring down the mid-tones, strengthen the light on the wings of the humming bird, and emphasize, with darkening the shadows, that triangle of the V stems with the humminbird on top. Bring down the mid-tones on the flower - its size and light are a bit much for the size of the bird, and it can appear to have more detail with some level manipulation. You've got more than you think you have.:)

[jckegley]

This is a really cute image. You might try photoshop again, crop tighter - some off the top, the left and the right - centering toward the V of the stems supporting as a focal center the hummingbird. Darken the lower edges, bring down the mid-tones, strengthen the light on the wings of the humming bird, and emphasize, with darkening the shadows, that triangle of the V stems with the humminbird on top. Bring down the mid-tones on the flower - its size and light are a bit much for the size of the bird, and it can appear to have more detail with some level manipulation. You've got more than you think you have.:)

Thanks so much for the reply, I think it is cute too. Unfortunately I think I have pretty much reached the limit of my abilities with photoshop on that shot. I know some of the basic stuff, but I am not an expert by no means, I have tried every trick I personally know to salvage that shot. I would love it if you and/or others had some spare time to see if it could be made better. I would gladly send the original to whoever who like to experiment.

[mobiek]

Very good shot. You might not like it, but the quality is still good. Looks very clear and had you been prepared you may have missed the petal cap shot. Great capture.