Quick answer
To photograph hummingbirds in flight, you generally need a fast shutter speed of 1/1000 second or faster. This freezes the motion of the hummingbird’s rapidly beating wings. Slower shutter speeds will result in motion blur.
Why you need a fast shutter speed for hummingbirds
Hummingbirds have extremely fast flapping wings that beat up to 80 times per second. This allows them to hover in place and swiftly change directions while feeding on nectar from flowers.
When photographing hummingbirds, you want to freeze the motion of their wings. This requires a fast shutter speed. With a slow shutter speed, the movement of the wings will be recorded across multiple frames, resulting in motion blur.
The blurring of the wings makes it hard to see the detail and color patterns. Freezing the motion requires a shutter speed that is fast enough to capture the hummingbird’s wings clearly in a single frame.
Typical shutter speeds for hummingbird photography
The exact shutter speed needed depends on the size of the bird, how fast it is moving, and your distance from it. But generally, hummingbird photographers recommend using shutter speeds of:
- 1/1000 second – A good starting point to freeze all motion.
- 1/1600 second – Better for smaller, faster moving hummingbirds.
- 1/2000 – 1/4000 second – To freeze the most rapid wing movement of hummingbirds in mid-flight.
With practice, you can often pan and track the hummingbird as you photograph it. This allows you to use a slightly slower shutter speed like 1/800 and still get decent results. But when starting out, 1/1000 second or faster is a good rule of thumb.
Other camera settings
To photograph hummingbirds successfully, you need to pay attention to other camera settings besides just shutter speed:
Aperture
Use a wide aperture in the range of f/2.8 to f/5.6. This allows more light and gives you a faster shutter speed. It also helps blur the background to make the bird pop.
ISO
Increase the ISO to 400, 800 or higher. This makes the camera sensor more sensitive to light and also contributes to a faster shutter speed. Just watch for increased noise at higher ISOs.
Focus
Use continuous autofocus and a focus mode like AI Servo which tracks moving subjects. This will help maintain focus on the erratically-moving hummingbirds.
Drive mode
Switch to burst mode or continuous shooting. This lets you take multiple frames in quick succession and gives you more chances to capture that perfect wing position.
Tips for photographing hummingbirds in flight
Photographing hummingbirds takes patience and practice. Here are some useful tips:
- Set up near an active hummingbird feeder or flowers where hummingbirds frequently feed.
- Position yourself so the light is behind you to properly expose the fast-moving birds.
- Prefocus on a spot where the hummingbirds will be so you’re ready to start shooting.
- When a bird comes into frame, start shooting in bursts to capture different wing positions.
- Pan by moving the camera to track the erratic motions of the hummingbird.
- Don’t give up. It may take many attempts to get a great hummingbird in flight shot!
Camera equipment for hummingbird photography
You don’t need extremely expensive gear to photograph hummingbirds, but the right equipment can help you get clear, vivid shots. Recommended camera features include:
- DSLR or mirrorless camera – For interchangeable lenses and manual controls over exposure
- Telephoto lens – At least 200mm focal length to get close-up shots
- Fast shutter speeds – 1/4000s or higher maximum shutter speed capability
- Continuous autofocus – To track the fast motion
- Burst mode – For shooting rapid sequences of images
Having a flash can also help fill shadows and freeze motion. But it takes practice to properly light the hummingbirds with flash.
Camera and lens settings to start with
Based on the equipment recommendations above, here are some camera and lens settings that are a good starting point for hummingbird photography:
Camera settings
- Mode: Aperture priority or shutter priority
- Shutter speed: 1/1000s or faster
- Aperture: f/4 to f/5.6
- ISO: 400, 800 or higher as needed
- Focus mode: Continuous autofocus / tracking
- Drive: Continuous high-speed burst
Lens settings
- Focal length: 200mm or longer
- Image stabilization: On
- Focus: Continuous autofocus
The combination of these camera and lens settings will maximize your chances of capturing sharp, vivid images of hummingbirds in flight. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different settings as you practice to get the images you want.
Some example images
Here are a few example images of hummingbirds shot at fast shutter speeds between 1/1000s to 1/4000s to freeze the motion of the wings:
As you can see from these shots, fast shutter speeds like 1/2000s to 1/4000s can freeze even the most rapid wing beats and reveal stunning details not visible to the naked eye. But a minimum of 1/1000s is required to avoid motion blurring the wings.
How to photograph hummingbirds with flash
Adding flash can help you photograph hummingbirds by:
- Freezing very fast motion – The brief duration of the flash acts like an incredibly fast shutter speed.
- Illuminating shadows
- Providing enough light for very fast shutter speeds on dark, overcast days
- Allowing for lower ISOs and less noise
Some tips for using flash include:
- Use TTL mode so the flash outputs the right amount of light automatically
- Bounce the flash off a wall or ceiling for softer, more natural light
- Use high-speed sync to allow flash with shutter speeds faster than 1/200-1/250s
- Position the flash above and behind you, out of the frame
- Use flash exposure compensation to adjust the power up or down as needed
It takes practice to get used to photographing hummingbirds with flash. Start on lower power settings and experiment until you balance the flash exposure with ambient light. Done right, adding flash can help lift your hummingbird photography to the next level.
Creative techniques
Don’t be limited to always shooting from a distance with telephoto lenses. Also try:
- Macro lenses – Move in very close with a macro lens to reveal details.
- Wide angles – Use wide angles for an environmental portrait of hummingbirds in gardens.
- Slow sync flash – Use shutter speeds like 1/30s or slower to intentionally blur wings and background.
- Bokeh – Use wide apertures for artful, blurred backgrounds.
- Panning – Pan the camera to follow the hummingbird and blur the background.
Getting creative with composition and techniques will help you capture one-of-a-kind hummingbird images.
Advanced techniques
More advanced photographers can take your hummingbird photography to an even higher level using techniques like:
Multi-flash setups
Use multiple flashes from different positions to fully control light and shadow on fast moving hummingbirds.
Rear-curtain flash
Fire the flash at the end of the exposure to capture a light trail behind the hummingbird.
Stacked filter sets
Combine teleconverters and extension tubes for extreme magnifications of tiny hummingbirds.
Remote triggering
Use optical or radio triggers to fire flashes and cameras remotely for more flexibility.
Focus stacking
Stack multiple images focused at different points to get greater depth of field at wide apertures.
ND filters
Use strong neutral density filters to allow panning on brighter days with wider apertures.
Don’t be intimidated to try these more advanced techniques. The results can take your hummingbird images to an exceptional level!
Pro tips for success
Here are some pro tips from experienced wildlife photographers for capturing incredible hummingbird photographs:
- Photograph hummers in the early morning or late afternoon when the light is softer.
- Learn each hummingbird’s habits and behavioral patterns.
- Pick backgrounds that complement the color of the bird.
- Try not to crop – get as close as possible with your lens.
- Have patience and take lots of shots – only a few will have that ‘wow’ factor.
- Experiment with creative post-processing like selective color and bokeh shapes.
Follow these tips and learn as much as you can about hummingbird behaviors, range, locations and preferred flowers or feeders in your area. The more you study and practice photographing hummingbirds, the better your images will become over time.
Conclusion
To summarize, photographing hummingbirds in flight requires:
- A fast shutter speed, typically 1/1000s or faster
- Camera settings optimized for action like continuous focus and burst mode
- Equipment like a telephoto lens that can magnify the tiny birds
- Patience and practice to learn hummingbird behaviors
- Creativity to capture the birds and their personality
Start with the basics like a minimum 1/1000s shutter speed, then find ways to incorporate flash or try more advanced techniques. With the right skills and an artistic eye, you can take breathtaking photos of these high-speed subjects. So grab your camera and start honing your hummingbird photography skills today!
