Birds in Flight Photography: Techniques, Tips and Tricks

[@maximme]

the BEST on youtube. Many show LARGE birds as way of showing what they can do. BUT you are the only one showing small birds. THAT'S THE REAL birds in flight shots

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Appreciated!

[@RichardCookphotography]

Great video Phil. Well done

[@zoefarris2409]

Great video and I am sure this will help me in my BIF shots.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

That’s brilliant to hear Zoe

[@hhkk876]

Excellent!!

[@ZulMOHAMAD.PHOTOGRAPHY]

Good Tips. Beautiful images. Loves them all. :)👍👍👍👍👍

[@ambrosechiu2338]

thanks Phil, amazing photos😊

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Cheers

[@paulsharkey4185]

Your photography is fantastic!! Your shots are equal or better than some photographers that live or visit in the tropics. Tropical birds seem to have so much more intense colors that really get amplified when photographed. All I'm saying is that you really do justice to the birds you select to shoot.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thanks Paul! I’m interested in the more local Western Palearctic species, but maybe I’ll go tropical one day. Thanks for watching!

[@johnbeavin9170]

Enjoyed that, and will have an eye out for more of your lessons..

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thanks for watching

[@Metragnome_Images]

Excellent video... love yout work.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thank you!

[@billhallsongs]

Thanks Phil! Great tutorial!

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thank you

[@billhallsongs]

You are welcome Phil!

[@jimmiealeshire8457]

Thanks Phil Awesome Video. I love shooting Birds in flight or anywhere. Thanks again. From Dayton, Ohio USA

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

My pleasure Jimmie! Thank you for watching!

[@mikemcgovern9463]

I have referred several friends to this video so I don't have to say anything... 😎 Plus, I'm doing them a favor. All of these great points are key - well done. My fave three: (1) Be patient; it takes time to hone your skills to get where you want to go - months and even years. (2) Instead of getting frustrated when you miss, which can be understandable, smile when it doesn't work out - remember how lucky you are, where you are, and that you're going to get another chance; (3) Success rates are low; live with it, keep on keeping on! Keep up the great work, Phil; love your inspirational images...

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thanks very much Mike…you should be my agent 😃

[@sathishkrishnan1845]

Two more S's from my side. Superb and Subscribed 👍 Amazing video!

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thank you so much!

[@ahmedm.fathie6124]

Excellent presentation with lots of teaching features. As far as I am concerned, It is one of the best Videos. Phil, you must have been an incredible teacher. THANK YOU FOR SHARING IT,

[@santhoshkallingal8592]

Great video

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thank you!

[@karthiganapathi407]

Excellent explanation. Thanks. Look forward for more.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

My pleasure!

[@basilreardon5783]

Your photos of birds in flight are great and the Sony body is why 👍

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

This video was produced before I had the Sony A1 and most of the flight shots shown in it were taken with the Canon 5DSR, but the A1 is amazing for BIF shots.

[@xochiltrodriguez428]

Wow!! I just saw your collection of bird photography. Goodness, amazing photos. I really need to step up my game. They are beautiful!!

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thank you Xochilt

[@ramblersnook]

Great share, so useful in the field!

[@jerryeisner1]

wonderfully educational and entertaining!

[@jackobas54]

Great video Phil

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Cheers Rene

[@busyflyin]

Such a great video and a wonderful reminder that skill is so important. Can you tell me what camera strap you use in this video? It’s just what I’m looking for. Thank you!

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thanks for watching and for your feedback. I use a BlackRapid Double Harness.

[@colwilson7348]

Fabulous photos ! Loved the pooping Heron. Thanks for the tips. 👍👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

My pleasure Col

[@geraldknight9824]

Superb. Great information brilliantly presented. We are going out to photograph bird tomorrow. Ill put it to the test.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thank you Gerald and good luck!

[@thesmokeman1]

Weird , I've watched this video of a Thursday night, I usually watch it every Friday night to keep the ideas in my head , your making a difference Phil 💚

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Appreciated!

[@60secmusic96]

wonderful fotos! thank you for this video!

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thank you!

[@arnolddubin9341]

Great video! I learn several things from this video.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thanks Arnold!

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thanks Arnold

[@aldrinmendonca2026]

great photos. Really appreciate you sharing

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Absolutely my pleasure Aldrin!

[@Eigil_Skovgaard]

Pleasant tempo and beautiful results.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thank you for watching Eigil!

[@elmarshanesda4662]

Thank you for the lovely information.. I hope i can apply it as i grow in wildlife photography..

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Cheers and good luck!

[@hasanshirzadi7793]

One of the best advices for bird photography ever seen. Best wishes Phil

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Very kind words! Thank you!

[@michaelwestdyk1742]

Excellent shots. Very informative . Thank you.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

My pleasure.

[@JamesWarrior]

This is an extraordinary and wonderful video. Beautiful photographs and excellent advice on how to achieve similar results. Thank you.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thanks for watching and for your positive feedback James

[@jalefancey9690]

awesome video, I liked that you spoke slowly and explained the 6 S's. I could understand. I have watched other videos but yours was the best as far as information and communication.I liked the beginning joke. thank you!

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thank you Jale! I’m glad you you enjoyed it!

[@umajps]

Thanks Phil, excellent video tutorial of Six S’s. Top notch. Keep them coming.

[@tkermi]

Really nice and helpful video, thanks! And beautiful photos!

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Glad it was helpful!

[@asitvyas11]

REMARKABLE AND AWESOME CLEAR SHOTS....MASTERCLASS. FELL IN LOVE WITH YOUR TECHNIQUES....WOWOWOWOW

[@dianneturner4874]

Thank you this is one of the most informative videos I've seen on this subject. Great teaching skills and I will be watching more!

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

My pleasure Dianne…thanks for watching and good luck with your BIF shots.

[@sabyasachibanerjee124]

Thanks for those practical and easy to follow tips.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

My pleasure! Thank you for watching!

[@ssrahulaai]

Nicely presented Phil . Yours Tips are very useful . Thanks a lot.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

My pleasure!

[@AA1PR]

Sir, your work is equivocally perfection

[@itsyvesss]

best intro I've seen in while 😂

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

🤣

[@jamesmcneil800]

Very informative, thanks!!

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thank you!

[@paolopannuzzo1194]

Bel video istruttivo, grazie. 👍👍👍

[@hankstarr7800]

I find that a certain amount of upper body training actually helps considerably with my skill ability in the field. I do curls and bench presses with dumbbells. Nothing crazy, but it helps a lot when holding my heavy lens for a long time. Keeps my panning smoother. Never knew that I was going to have to work out to be a photographer.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Mobility and strength very important with those big lenses

[@EyesSquared]

The 6 S’s, that’s a great breakdown. Thoroughly noted!

[@annbinyon2772]

Great tips and the most beautiful images, all a learning curve for me still and trying to perfect BIF! especially smaller birds! Phil Gower thank you .. your video will definitely help me going forward

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

My pleasure Ann and good luck with the BIF shots

[@mickmckean7378]

Great tips and beautiful images Phil, thanks and congratulations.

[@deanseldon5640]

Some excellent shots there just subscribed look forward to your videos

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thanks Dean....appreciated!

[@kabn131]

Nice video and great photos. I enjoyed listening to you! Keep up the good work.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thank you!

[@cvtees16videos]

Thank You for the tips!

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

My pleasure

[@Chimboica2011]

You are a great teacher and a great photographer Phil. Love your video, I keep watching over and over again

[@xochiltrodriguez428]

By the way, thank you for the video. It makes more interesting with photos, so thank you. I love seeing other photogapher's work.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

My pleasure!

[@wdhale14094]

Your photos are amazing. The final photos with a story truly are extra amazing. Great tips. Thank you.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@aytchroberts5850]

Excellent, thanks.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

👍

[@lesheelanz2024]

Awesome! Thanks for generously sharing your knowledge. Cheers!

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

My pleasure! I’m hope you liked!

[@lesheelanz2024]

@@philgowerbirdphotography I definitely like this video!

[@vivekmathala2381]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 such a great explanation...glad i found this🙏🏻

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching!

[@Trekholic]

Great useful info shared.. Keep going.. 👍

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

I will try my best! Thanks for the feedback!

[@RealBigCliff]

Brand new to bird in flight photography I have watched dozens of videos on the subject, but this was my favorite Beautiful and informative Thank you

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Hi Cliff, thank you for watching and the positive feedback. Welcome to BIF photography!

[@stevekaschak9442]

WOW! All i have to say is WOW, absolutely gobsmacked!

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

👍Appreciated!

[@geronimo6787]

Thank You for sharing Your experience! Great Shots!

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

My pleasure!

[@tenrec]

This is the first bird photography video I've watched that had me laughing out loud in the first few seconds -- thanks!

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

My pleasure!

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thank you for watching

[@stevenoon2828]

Top stuff☝️Phil. Another fine video...excellent presentation with beautiful inflight images 👌Steve

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thank you Steve...appreciated!

[@giovannibarbaro-sant110]

Hi, thanks for sharing your very useful tips on BIF photography. Regards from Malta.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

My pleasure and thank you for your support!

[@filmowiec_tv]

Beautiful shots 📷👌👍

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thank you!

[@mosessparks8340]

Great video.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thank you very much Moses!

[@mosessparks8340]

You're very welcome. Your work is stellar and the way you methodically explained your approach was both informative and entertaining. I only have one question: Why are you so annoying? ;)

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

😂🤣😂🤣 You’ll have to ask my wife!

[@RolandGaenssler]

Great shots, Phil. That's an interesting video. Regards, Roland

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Cheers Roland!

[@NurIsmailMohammed]

Excellent sharing, Phil! Lots of bird-in-flight tips. Thank you so much!

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

My pleasure!

[@NurIsmailMohammed]

@@philgowerbirdphotography You've got an awesome Flickr page too!

[@photooutdoor2574]

I agree 100%! To get the skills is the most difficult. Great pictures und well explained. Thank you!

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thank you very much!

[@m4mo2222]

Great information s thank you

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

My pleasure!

[@RY_OnTheLand]

Very informative... Enjoyed!

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thanks Rod....appreciated!

[@alyamaut]

Great information 🤘🏽muchas gracias

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

My pleasure!

[@l3f799]

Very useful tips Phil. Thanks - you have inspired me to try some BIF work!

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thank you and good luck with your BIF shots1

[@Deg99]

Hi....love your photos and videos. I am wondering what brand of camera harness you are using for your big lens? It seems like a good setup. thanks Marc

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Hi Marc, thanks for watching and for your positive feedback, my strap is the Black Rapid double harness.

[@jaaserud6929]

Thanks Phil; I greatly enjoyed your knowledgeable tutorial and the superb pictures!

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Many thanks!

[@colindalton7379]

Great as usual Phil.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Than you Colin

[@christyh7609]

Another well done video Phil :) Keep them coming

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thank you for watching Christy! I’ll do my best!

[@danwoodmaster]

Breathtaking photographies! Thanks to share your techniques.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

My pleasure! Thank you for watching!

[@DeeDeeDIY]

Stunning

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thank you!

[@bottoncino666]

great helpful and motivating video thank you

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

My pleasure! Thank you for taking the time to have a look!

[@IndianBirdVideos]

Excellent tips!! Amazing photos!

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Glad you like them!

[@bestmum55]

Thank you Phil! I have purchased a Sony to get some great photos of BIF. Your video has helped greatly with your tips.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thanks Jen! Good luck with your BIF shots!

[@jonmcross7154]

Enjoyed this video! Great work too!

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thank you Jon

[@MrTurnturtle]

Thanks Phil, Very helpful indeed. An eye opener to learn so much about flight photography. Practice, practice, practice. And the skill comes along without being conscious about it.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thank you for watching and good luck with your photography!

[@JoshsPhotoJourney]

Great info👍 Awesome pictures 👌

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thank you!

[@jamesdownes8250]

Brilliant Phil.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thanks Jim...appreciated!

[@rebeccawhitney1222]

Thank you Phil, wonderful information. Hello from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA!

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

My pleasure Rebecca. Thank you for watching!

[@inerro.landoutdoorwildlife]

Great tips and amazing portfolio! Thanks!

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

My pleasure thanks for watching!

[@tobyblackman9986]

Full camo for the driveway haha. Great tips I'll try to implement in my bird photography.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

😀 I tend to live in the stuff....you never know where and when a rarity will turn up 😀

[@tobyblackman9986]

Yeah that is very true. Keep up the good content

[@inthewoodswithbigfoot3941]

Great advice Phil. I find myself referring back to my shooting days and shoot on the half breath. Thanks for your wisdom!

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

That’s another useful technique...providing good balance. Thanks for watching!

[@DazLane123]

Hi Phil great Videos I am using a A7111 with a 70-200 F4 and set it up per your great instructions , but i do experience a Lag between pressing the shutter and the EVF confirming focus , I have live view display on ? just wondering if this is the problem , I shut eye Af off on the A7111 as I discovered today useless for BIF on a7iii , So turned it off , I wonder what is causing the Lag , I tried today with AF confirm priorty and the shutter would not respond but I think thats the idea , I do think there are settings you need to disengage anything to speed up AF , This is from a A7111 Perspective and my whole long winded question is based on Lag , today I say a bird coming towards me I took the Karate back stance lol and swivelled with me hips but it was gone past me before it focused so got great photos of its arse , the A7111 is a slower camera so wondering is Live view the culprit , anything to make the A73 faster would be helpful , btw great videos and thanks for your stunning photos

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Hi Darren, unfortunately we all get arse shots from time to time. I’ve not used the A73 nor the 70-200 f4 so I’m not going to be much help. Turning live view off should help in terms of speed. What focus mode and focus area were you using?

[@ceesnabuursfauna2115]

Thanks for this video. Very inspiring!

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

My pleasure!

[@silversurfer1010]

Great video! Keep them coming 😀

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thank you for the feedback!

[@subitkobiraj2402]

Thanks. Very useful tips.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

My pleasure!

[@scdawes]

Another enjoyable watch Phil with some exceptional images

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thanks Steve!

[@MikeKatona]

This might be my second time through this video and I bet I could watch it a couple more times and gain something. Thank you

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thanks Mike...really appreciated!

[@OllyBPlayz]

amazing video thank you for the help, I should be getting a d850 at the end of the year and really need a good detailed video to help with birds in flight.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

That’s a great camera...good luck with it!

[@OllyBPlayz]

@@philgowerbirdphotography Thank you

[@martinfairbairn2820]

In a word - Awesome.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thank you Martin!

[@ThinkingPhotography]

Thanks Phil for some good solid advice and for emphasising that good BIF is a SKILL not a set of gear....fabulous pics at the end, really liked too the fact that you encouraged people to get shots with some 'behaviour' other than simply flying past, of course you're right and that does make for a much more interesting image.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

It’s my pleasure Lindsey and thank you for watching and commenting!

[@markrigg6623]

You can't shoot birds in flight without the right gear.

[@oscarlaz]

Thank you, very educational. ❤