How I Captured This Photograph of the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird in Flight

For several years, I’ve carried a very specific photograph in my mind — something I could visualise clearly, yet had never been able to execute in the way I imagined. The subject was the remarkable ruby-throated hummingbird, a species I’ve photographed countless times, but one that continues to challenge me in new ways. Their speed, agility, and temperament make them exciting to work with, but when you add in a complex lighting setup and a precise composition, the difficulty increases exponentially.

This image was, without question, the most challenging hummingbird setup I’ve ever attempted. I knew what I wanted: a clean, elegant portrait of a male ruby-throated hummingbird feeding at a columbine bloom, wings frozen mid-beat, and the bird’s brilliant iridescent gorget lit perfectly. Getting all of those elements to align required patience, experimentation, and a fair amount of stubbornness.

The first hurdle was simply getting the birds to accept the setup. Anything new in their environment — a feeder, a flash, a prop — often triggers hesitation. Multiply that by several flashes, a feeding tube, reflectors, and a carefully positioned flower, and you can imagine how wary they were. It took three full days before the hummingbirds felt comfortable enough to interact with the scene naturally. During this period, I spent my time observing them, tweaking the arrangement, and making sure nothing looked or sounded threatening.

Once the birds were cooperating, the next challenge was timing. The wings needed to be in the right position, the background clean, and — perhaps the biggest challenge — the gorget lit at exactly the right angle. The gorget of a male ruby-throated hummingbird only flashes red when the light strikes it perfectly, which can change with even the slightest shift of the bird’s head or body. I devoted another couple of days to refining the lighting so that when the moment finally happened, the iridescence would glow the way I envisioned.

This particular image was made in Brighton, Michigan, using high-speed flash to freeze the motion. It’s important to note that this is a digitally manipulated image: I used Photoshop to remove a feeding tube and touch up the bird’s beak. The behaviour, pose, and lighting, however, are all authentic to the moment.

Working with hummingbirds — especially ruby-throated hummingbirds — demands patience, respect, and a deep appreciation for the process. When everything finally comes together after days of preparation, it’s an incredibly rewarding experience. I hope this image conveys a small part of the beauty and intensity of these tiny, extraordinary birds.

Good Luck and Good Light!
Steve