Bird Photo Competition 1 2019 : Entry Number 60

These days, there are countless images of hummingbirds around, many of which are strongly lit to show off their spectacular gorgets and other plumes, as well as the colourful flowers from which they feed. This image succeeds by bucking that trend and going for a simple, subdued study in dull greens and browns. It does, however, work well on several levels. First, the soft side lighting brings out the form in both the tap and the bird. Second, judicious use of flash creates a sharp rendering of the wings to complement the motion blur. Third, the composition makes the shot by including only the two elements of tap and bird and balancing these nicely to the top-right and bottom-left of the vertical frame. Finally, the image works conceptually as an example of mankind (for once) being of benefit to wildlife. Most bird photographers work hard to exclude 'hand of man' elements, but this image shows how such objects can be put to good creative use occasionally.

Thank you very much for choosing my photowork as a winner at this competition, n I'm happy. I am working in a food industry and really feel keen to be an amateur or enthusiast photographer. I took that photo in Bandung, Indonesia using Nikon D 7100 with Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 Lens. The lighting scheme was planned by using flashlight as this bird often takes some drink in that tap water faucet. The bird is domesticated or tamed by providing regular feeding and during free flight I usually wait near that faucet to get the shot that I want. I wanted to show or capture the moment where animal benefited from man made object. After several trial, I eventually get that shot.. Best regards