Hummingbirds are one of the most challenging subjects for photographers to capture due to their incredibly fast movement and tiny size. To successfully photograph hummingbirds in flight, a fast shutter speed is required to freeze their rapid wing beats and prevent motion blur. But determining the optimal shutter speed for hummingbird photography depends on several factors.
How Fast Do Hummingbirds Flap Their Wings?
Hummingbirds have the fastest wing beat of any bird. Their wings can flap 12-80 times per second, depending on the species. The average hummingbird flaps its wings around 50 times per second, or 3000 times per minute. This allows them to hover in place and swiftly change directions while feeding on flower nectar.
Here are some wingbeat frequencies of common hummingbird species:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird – 53 beats per second
- Black-chinned Hummingbird – 40 beats per second
- Rufous Hummingbird – 55 beats per second
- Allen’s Hummingbird – 62 beats per second
- Calliope Hummingbird – 80 beats per second
As you can see, different types of hummingbirds flap their wings at different speeds. The smaller the hummingbird, the faster they flap their wings. Photographing a fast-flapping Calliope Hummingbird requires a significantly faster shutter speed compared to a slower Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
Shutter Speed Rule of Thumb
A standard rule of thumb for photographing hummingbirds is to use a shutter speed that is at least 1-2 stops faster than the flapping frequency. For example, if a hummingbird flaps its wings 50 times per second, then the minimum shutter speed should be 1/125 to 1/250th of a second. This helps freeze the motion of the rapidly beating wings.
Here is a chart with recommended minimum shutter speeds for common hummingbird species:
| Hummingbird Species | Wingbeat Frequency | Minimum Shutter Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Ruby-throated | 53 beats/second | 1/125th sec |
| Black-chinned | 40 beats/second | 1/100th sec |
| Rufous | 55 beats/second | 1/160th sec |
| Allen’s | 62 beats/second | 1/200th sec |
| Calliope | 80 beats/second | 1/250th sec |
These shutter speeds are just a baseline recommendation. Using an even faster shutter speed is ideal for capturing perfectly sharp wing beats and avoiding any motion blur.
Other Camera Settings
In addition to a fast shutter speed, there are other camera settings that are important for photographing hummingbirds:
- Aperture: Use an aperture between f/4 – f/8 for soft background blur and good subject isolation.
- ISO: A higher ISO around 800-1600 allows using a fast shutter speed in lower light conditions.
- Focus Mode: Use AI Servo focus on a DSLR to track focus on a moving hummingbird.
Also, it is best to use a telephoto lens in the range of 200-600mm so you can frame tight shots of hummingbirds from a distance without scaring them away. The tight composition allows seeing intricate details of hummingbirds like their iridescent feathers.
High Speed Photography Techniques
To photograph hummingbirds at rest or in extreme close detail, you will need shutter speeds up to 1/4000th or 1/6000th of a second. This fully freezes their wing movement. Some ways to achieve this include:
- Use a camera with a high shutter speed capability (1/4000 or better). Many entry-level DSLRs max out at 1/2000th.
- Use a neutral density filter to allow wider apertures like f/2.8 for more bokeh.
- Add more light like a flash or reflector to allow faster shutter speeds.
- Increase ISO if necessary to enable faster shutter speed.
Here is an example of a hummingbird photographed at 1/6000th second shutter speed:
As you can see, the 1/6000s shutter speed freezes the wingbeats completely, showing incredible detail in the feathers. This used an f/3.2 aperture with ISO 1800 and a 600mm lens.
Creative Effects
Once you have mastered freezing the motion of hummingbirds, you can experiment with creative shutter speed effects:
- Motion blur: Use a slower shutter speed like 1/15s or 1/30s to intentionally blur the wings into a colorful streak.
- Panning: Pan the camera to track the hummingbird and blur the background while keeping the bird relatively sharp.
- Zoom burst: Change the focal length during a long exposure to create cool distortions.
Here is an example of hummingbird motion blur at 1/30s shutter speed:
Getting these creative effects right takes practice and many attempts. Be ready to delete lots of failed shots! Start by learning how to freeze the wings consistently and then move on to more advanced techniques.
Camera Type Considerations
Certain camera types have advantages for photographing fast-moving hummingbirds:
- DSLR: The best option. Allows swapping lenses, through the viewfinder shooting, high shutter speed capability.
- Mirrorless: Nearly as good as DSLR and more compact. Electronic viewfinder can show motion blur though.
- Advanced compact: Decent option if it has 1/2000+ shutter speed, RAW shooting, fast focus.
- Smartphone: Difficult for action shots but good for resting/perched hummers.
Avoid basic point-and-shoot cameras for hummingbird photography, as they lack sufficient shutter speed control and lag time. DSLR or mirrorless cameras allow tapping into the full potential of digital photography for freezing hummingbird wing beats.
Settings Summary
Here are the ideal camera settings for photographing hummingbirds in flight:
- Shutter Speed: 1/1000 sec minimum, up to 1/4000-6000 for frozen wings
- Aperture: f/4 to f/8 (wider for bokeh)
- ISO: 800-1600 or higher
- Focus Mode: AI Servo/Continuous
- Drive Mode: High-speed continuous
Of course, adjust these settings based on available light and lens capabilities. Use a shutter speed 1-2 stops faster than the wing flapping speed to reliably freeze motion with sharpness. With practice, you will get a feel for the optimal shutter speed for the hummingbirds you’re photographing.
Conclusion
Photographing hummingbirds in flight requires fast shutter speeds to freeze their rapidly beating wings. A good starting point is setting a shutter speed 1-2 stops faster than the flapping frequency of the hummingbird’s wings, usually in the range of 1/1000 to 1/6000 sec. Adjust based on light conditions and creative desires. Combine with a telephoto lens, continuous focus and burst mode. With practice, you will be able to reliably photograph hummingbirds and capture their incredible flying abilities.
