Photographing hummingbirds is no easy feat, as the birds are some of the fastest-moving animals on the planet and change direction in an instant. Wildlife photographer Mark J. Schocken offers insights into capturing these fleeting creatures:
- He prefers early morning light with the sun at his back, and, if possible, a shaded area with a background that is darker than the bird’s colors to reduce distraction.
- He avoids photographing hummingbirds near human-made structures, such as feeders. “I much prefer natural settings where the hummingbirds are feeding on the nectar from various species of flowers,” he says.