William,
Thanks. Your advice is appreciated, and my responses are below. However, if you
read the web page by the world-class expert (Paonessa) referenced in my
original message, you'd understand why I chose my approach. I have also seen
similar advice in a hummer book by a another leading hummer photographer
(Rucker).
At 08:39 25-04-03 -0700, William Sommerwerck wrote:
>You're asking questions that, unfortunately, can be best answered only by
>experimentation.
When experiments are informed by experience, the advice of specialized experts,
reading, and careful planning, the goals are likely to be achieved sooner.
Perhaps even pretty close on the first try. The butterfly shots on my web site
include my first attempts at SLR flash.
>Those beautiful photos you see in books were not obtained
>on the first attempt! You're going to have to experiment with the equipment
>you have. I see a couple of things you need to consider.
>
>>> If you're synched at 1/60, you're going to have to be in a really dark
>area, even with ISO 100 film. f/32 is only one stop less than "sunny 16"
>exposure.
Yes, the OM-4 syncs only at 1/60s :-(
I plan use an opaque shade over the scene. That'll get me another few stops of
ghost suppression.
If I was using a camera system that synced at 1/250s, it would be easier.
>>> Using multiple flashes close to the subject will almost certainly produce
>uneven illumination and (possibly) unpleasant shadows.
I disagree. Multiple distributed light sources even out the illumination. See
URL.
>>> Flash duration and intensity are tied to each other. With the equipment
>you have, you can't simultaneously achieve high intensity and brief
>duration.
Yes you can. Use multiple flashes. See URL.
>>> How do you intend to force the hummingbirds to come within range of the
>camera?
See URL. Hummers are hungry and bold creatures. I can show you some full-frame
shots I took with a 90/2.
>After figuring out how to get the hummingbird to "pose," I'd start by using
>_one_ flash and seeing what happens. Then go from there.
>
>I recommend borrowing a Polaroid 180 or 195, along with the close-up kit,
>and taking several test shots.
More $ than I want to spend right now.
Also don't want to travel 2000 miles with more than the one full-size case of
35mm photo equipment I plan to have,
which is in addition to the 5 full-size cases of astrophotography equipment I
will bring.
--
Matt BenDaniel
matt@xxxxxxxxxxxx
http://starmatt.com
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