Living in SW Florida where there are hundreds of species of beautiful shore birds, many photographers are interested in how to shoot birds in flight. Â Shooting birds in flight can be tricky at first, but these tips will get you headed in the right direction.
Bird Photography Tip #1: Watch your composition. Strong composition for a moving subject usually means that the photographer places a large amount of negative space on the side of the frame to which the bird is traveling. Â By allowing some space in this side of the frame, the viewer will not be distracted by wondering what is in front of the bird, and will be able to focus on the subject.
Bird Photography Tip #2: Adjust your elevation. Usually birds in flight look best when the photographer is relatively close to the same height as the bird. Â This can be tricky in some situations, but know that your best photos will likely occur when the bird is swooping down low or when you can get on a hill or in an elevated bird stand.
Bird Photography Tip #3: Adjust your camera settings. You will certainly want to use continuous focus (AF-C on a Nikon, or AI Servo on a Canon), select the proper focus point (I usually use the center point or dynamic autofocus), a sharp aperture, and a fast shutter speed somewhere around 1/1200th of a second.
Bird Photography Tip #4: Use the user programmable modes. Some new DSLRs allow photographers to set a user-programmable collection of settings that can be activated by simply spinning the mode dial. Â When I shoot birds in flight, I have these user-programmable modes ready with a setting for panning, and a setting for a still bird. Â This will allow me to quickly change all my camera settings in an instant if the occasion arises. Â Very useful.
Bird Photography Tip #5: Shoot away from the sun. Usually backlit birds will not be as nice-looking as front-lit birds. Â Simply planning to stand in the correct spot will significantly improve the quality of your images.
Bird Photography Tip #6: Shoot in short bursts of 2 or three images. This will increase your chances of getting a sharp photo without filling your buffer too quickly.
Bird Photography Tip #7: Don't skimp on depth-of-field. Beginning birds in flight shooters often use the lowest aperture they have available to get a high shutter speed. Â While a high shutter speed is certainly important, skimping on aperture is not the answer. Â Many birds have a large wingspan, and a low aperture will often put the wing tips out of focus. Â If you need more light to increase your shutter speed, use a higher ISO.
Bird Photography Tip #8: Shoot with both eyes open. This is a matter of personal preference, but I learned how to shoot with both eyes open because I used to teach shotgun shooting classes. Â Applying this technique in photography allows you to see what is in front of the bird so you can prepare your shot. Â If the bird is swooping down to catch an animal, I can see it BEFORE it's too late.
Bird Photography Tip #9: Pay attention to the background. While a background of a pure blue sky can work in some situations, many birds in flight images will be much stronger if a more interesting background is captured. Â Wait for the birds to swoop down low where trees or water can provide a compelling background.
Bird Photography Tip #10: Don't skimp on Image Stabilization. It is unfortunate that image stabilized lenses often come at a premium, because some photographers opt for the cheaper lens without image stabilization. Â Especially for telephoto lenses, your image stabilization will be absolutely vital to the success of your photography of birds in flight.
I am a beginner and just bough AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR.
it was first day that i tried to photograph flying birds.
when I saw group of geese frying toward me, I raise my camera up on the sky and lost focusing.
Everytime I aim the sky, I was losing focusing with blurr sky through view finder.
I tried several times but failed.
Is this my lens, camera or me?
Please help me.
Autofocus does not work against a plain background, e.g. Overcast sky.
Some of the dialog relating to aperature seems be confusing to one new to photography in that aperature is inversly related to f-stop such that wide aperature produced by a lower
F- stop number.
Image stabilisation at 1/1000 or 1/1200 shutter speed is not going to have much effect.
Hallo Jim,
I respectfully disagree with your tip 10
” Especially for telephoto lenses, your image stabilization will be absolutely vital to the success of your photography of birds in flight.”
A a birds in flight photographer I see little requirement for IS for shutter speeds of 1/1000s +.
All the images on this page (of my personal website) are without IS:
http://www.vernonchalmers.photography/2017/04/birds-in-flight-photography-cape-town.html
Regards,
Vernon Chalmers
First time I read about shooting with both eyes wide open , will give it a try next time im out in the field. Thanks for sharing you knowledge.
Hi I am getting very confused with all this. Am trying to get birds in flight and getting a lot of noise and getting confused with what settings to use to the point of not know what to do at all. I have nikon810 with tamron 150-600. F5.6. 1600 shutter speed with auto ISO. Please help!!!!!
One of my friend suggested to use Af-c with 3d focusing. Is it helpfull ?
Great tips.
I’m a beginner and was trying to get a good focused bird in flight by using the shutter priority mode and a real fast shutter speed. It fails. Why?
I am still learning, and all the comment above help me learn more. I am getting better at shooting birds because of the different settings I try. I usually get out 5 days a week. Very proud of my work.
In the field, there are many surprises! But, I feel since I cannot afford photography classes, trial and error are my best teachers? I am self taught.
Thank you