Key Insights for Birds in Flight Photography

Original video: PRO SECRETS FOR TACK SHARP BIRD IN FLIGHT PHOTOS: Top tips and settings to get the shots! By Simon d'Entremont
[ Ссылка ]

Introduction -
- Focuses on photographing birds in flight.
- Key topics: settings, techniques, behavior tips, and artistic tips.
- Experience with both slow- and fast-flying birds.
- Challenges of photographing high-speed birds like the peregrine falcon and puffins.

Equipment & Settings -
- Camera settings are crucial for success:
- Autofocus Continuous (AFC/AI Servo for Canon) to track moving targets.
Here's a list of continuous autofocus (AF-C) button/settings for various camera manufacturers:
1. Canon
Button: AF-ON button
Settings: AI Servo AF
2. Nikon
Button: AF-ON button
Settings: AF-C (Continuous Servo AF)
3. Sony
Button: AF-ON button (customizable)
Settings: AF-C (Continuous AF)
4. Fujifilm
Button: AF-L button (customizable)
Settings: AF-C (Continuous AF)
5. Panasonic (Lumix)
Button: AF-ON button (customizable)
Settings: AFC (Continuous AF)
6. Olympus (OM-D and PEN series)
Button: AEL/AFL button (customizable)
Settings: C-AF (Continuous AF)
7. Pentax
Button: AF button (customizable)
Settings: AF.C (Continuous AF)
8. Leica
Button: AF/AE lock button (customizable)
Settings: AF-C (Continuous AF)
9. Sigma
Button: AF button (customizable)
Settings: AF-C (Continuous AF)
10. Hasselblad
Button: AF-D button (customizable)
Settings: AF-C (Continuous AF)
11. Ricoh
Button: AF/AE-L button (customizable)
Settings: Continuous AF
12. Panasonic (GH series)
Button: AF/AE lock button (customizable)
Settings: AFC (Continuous AF)
- Focus Points: Use a small central cluster (3x3) for better tracking.
- Shutter Speed:
- Larger birds (geese, owls): 1/1000 to 1/1250 sec.
- Medium birds (ducks, birds of prey): 1/2000 to 1/2500 sec.
- Small, erratic birds (terns, sandpipers): 1/3200 sec.
- Fastest birds (hummingbirds, peregrine falcons): 1/4000 sec.
- Shooting Modes: Manual with auto ISO is recommended, avoid aperture priority.

Technical Tips:
- Aperture: Optimal sharpness may require stopping down the lens slightly.
- Frames Per Second (FPS): Use the highest possible FPS (~12 fps on Canon R5/R6).
- Focus Limiter: Useful but requires confidence in the shooting range.
- Image Stabilization (IS):
- Canon: Leave IS on even at high shutter speeds.
- Nikon: Turn off IS above 1/2000 sec.
- Autofocus Settings: Adjust how quickly the camera picks up new subjects and tracks movement predictively.

Practical Techniques:
- Lighting: Shoot with the sun at your back.
- Background: Cleaner and farther is better for autofocus.
- Panning Technique: Use body movement, stabilize with elbows tucked.
- Pre-Focus: On an object at the desired shooting distance to aid quick focus.
- Behavioral Cues: Birds often take off into the wind, go downwind for better capture.
- Wind Direction: Photograph birds with the wind at your back.

Artistic Tips:
- Backgrounds: Prefer land or sea over sky.
- Eye Level Shots: More engaging and dynamic.
- Composition: Leave space in front of the bird for a natural look.
- Cropping: Allow room for the bird to ‘fly into’ within the frame.

Practical Test:

Settings used for Puffins:
- 500mm F4 lens.
- Shutter Speed: 1/3200 sec.
- Aperture: F4 to F5.6.
- ISO: Auto ISO with manual exposure compensation.
- Continuous Focus: AI Servo on Canon, AFC on other brands.
- High-speed frame rate: 12 fps.
- Image stabilization on mode 2.

Results:
- Success with puffins holding food and capturing dynamic backgrounds.
- Photographs of razor bills, black guillemots, and puffins with vivid compositions.

Conclusion:
- Emphasis on preparation and specific technical settings.
- Encourage trying out different techniques and settings for better bird-in-flight photos.
- Engage with additional tutorials and setups shared in playlists for more insights.

For further information, check the detailed playlists and subscribe for more tips on bird photography.

#birdphotography #birdsinflight

свернуть