Bird Photography: Capturing the Moment

[@ggivensjr]

Not to diminish current speaker or name drop but from back in film, slide, and dslr days I learned a lot about exposure and composition from the great BirdsAsArt man, Arthur Morris. I like your idea about "would I like the image without the bird"?

[@isaacgrant1991]

He is a legend and taught many people

[@bryanlovephotography]

Great presentation. In my experience, it's all about background, background, background. I've found as time goes by that I am stopping down a whole lot more to obtain greater depth of field. Really enjoyed your work and your insights.

[@isaacgrant1991]

thanks so much. I agree about the background. It is more important than the bird. Always will be.

[@tomdulski3729]

Great work Issac!

[@lisadaniels6487]

So looking forward to working with you very soon...

[@isaacgrant1991]

thank you Lisa

[@ggivensjr]

You shoot total manual. It's amazing you have time to make changes in aperture, ss, or iso on the fly! What's your trick?

[@isaacgrant1991]

no trick. I just constantly adapt to the light. Like everything it takes practice and focus

[@ggivensjr]

Trick is just figure of speech. I have been shooting for over 30 years mostly Minolta, Konica-Minolta, and Sony. I started out doing portraits in studio and schools for herff Jones photo division. I've long since retired. Anyways, I asked the question because as fast birds fly and dart around no matter how much I practice I cannot change iso, aperture, and ss fast enough to get many keepers. That is why I will typically allow the camera to pick the iso with a minimum and maximum set.

[@ggivensjr]

How do you get enough light to shoot ss 1/12800s? That is amazing. Unfortunately, my longest glass only opens to 5.6 at its longest. Sony 70-400mm G2 A-mount.

[@isaacgrant1991]

when the sun is a bit higher than you would want for perched birds that is not the case for some flying birds as the angle of the bird then more lined up to the angle of the sun

[@Kellysher]

I’m curious too! My glass is not this fast either. Rf 100-500 F 7.1. I still manage to get some nice shots, but have never got anywhere near these Shutter speeds!

[@isaacgrant1991]

@@Kellysher The glass really matters for these kinds of shots and getting super high shutter speeds. As an example if you are at ISO 1250, F7.1 and SS 1/4000 I could have the same exposure shooting at F4 at 1/12,800. The key is to have that golden early morning or late evening light so you can shoot with those speeds

[@ggivensjr]

It's funny you say if we want photos like the ones you're showing, we have to be out in the light. Because one of the things you're told as a beginner shooting people is that peak sunlight is the worst time to take photos. It's just the opposite when photographing birds.

[@isaacgrant1991]

those photos are not taken it peak sunlight meaning mid day sun, they are taken at or after sunrise or sunset. That is the kind of light that I am after. The so called magical light

[@ggivensjr]

Then I'm truly impressed you are able to use such high ss with such low iso settings.

[@thomastuorto9929]

I just finished watching this on the tv. First off, beautiful photos. Regarding flash. Most aren’t bothered by it but some will get anointed & fly away. I have seen a bird or two close their eyes after a few photos giving me the impression it was effecting their vision. Also I have used the flash to photograph a GBH at dusk with high trees around. It was about 150’-175’ away & wad sing the Nikon200-500 lens. Lit the heron enough to get a decent photo. Nikon SB700 Flaxh with no flash extender. I understand a flash extender helps. Also when using flash for flowers & macro work, birds tend to come closer than usual to check what you’re doing. Even a Turkey Buzzard took perch in a tree above where I was shooting once to watch.

[@isaacgrant1991]

@@thomastuorto9929 thanks for the support. And yes I am sure there are plenty of situations where birds will fly because of flash or close their eyes as well.