Photographed at La Minga Ecolodge near Cali in Valle del Cauca, Colombia, this image features the White-sided Flowerpiercer (Diglossa albilatera) perched on a straight, weathered branch in the filtered light of the Andean forest. Its dark slate plumage and pale side patches stand out cleanly against the soft green background, allowing the bird’s compact form and alert expression to become the natural focal point of the composition.
I created this image using a Canon EOS R5 paired with the RF800mm F11 IS STM lens. The final exposure settings were 1/500 second at f/11 and ISO 3200. These choices reflect the specific strategy required in this type of habitat. The bird moves quickly and often pauses only for a moment, so a shutter speed of 1/500 second helped freeze subtle motion while still retaining clarity. Because the RF800mm lens uses a fixed aperture of f/11, I relied on a higher ISO to achieve a bright, clean exposure in the soft, shaded light typical of cloud forests. This balance allowed me to maintain depth of field across the bird’s head and upper body while keeping the background smooth and unobtrusive.
The Andean forest at this hour offered a naturally diffused light source, and I positioned myself to take advantage of a gentle opening in the canopy where the light fell evenly across the bird. That even illumination helped reveal feather texture without causing harsh reflections, which can be a challenge on darker plumage. The background separation came entirely from distance and focal length rather than post-processing, preserving the authenticity of the scene.
My goal with this photograph was to highlight the presence and character of a small, often overlooked species within its true environment. The combination of long focal length, fast shutter speed and careful positioning helped capture a still moment from a bird that rarely stays still.
©2025 Adam Rainoff Photographer
