Master Photographing Birds in Flight

[@bheventspace]

Where do you go to capture photos of birds in flight?

[@realcalebrome]

somewhere I can sit in the shade and they can fly by in the sun lol

[@martysliwicki580]

I'm just starting out with birds, but Carnegie Lake is my spot.

[@TeddyCavachon]

Something I read in a photography book years ago changed the way I approached photographing birds, insects and other moving subjects. It asked, “Do you want all your subjects to look like dead specimens in pins in a museum display?” I worked at National Geographic in the photo labs from 1974-77 when Kodachrome was king and knew some of the photo editors who told me the same thing when I asked why many of the photos selected for the magazine were not tack sharp and instead had some degree of motion blur when a subject was moving rapidly. That is especially true with hummers. A photo in which the body is tack sharp but the wings are a blur does a better job of conveying why they are so unique than one with wings frozen. The way Mocking Birds display by spreading their wings rapidly to show the white spots is another example of where a bit of blur of the wings in some shots will inform the viewer how quickly they do it. Stop the action to show the detail / blur the action to duplicate and convey what is seen in real life. The same is true with video shutter speed and why ND filters are used to allow shooting at 24 and 30 fps (1/50th sec and 1/60th sec) That said I always shoot to freeze the action first then attempt various degrees of blur if the subject cooperates.

[@JGZphotography]

Aside from sports photography for the media, I enjoy capturing images of birds, whether they're in flight or stationary. I typically employ a Canon R3 and R5 paired with either my Sigma 60-600mm Sport or Canon 400mm 2.8 + 1.4X lens. Depending on the visual effect I'm aiming for, I adjust my shutter speed from 1/640 to 1/4000, with manual ISO adjustments to achieve the best light exposure. For slower shutter speeds, I seek wing motion blur to convey the dynamics of flight. While your video is educational, and professional gear is essential for capturing high-quality photos, many hobbyists and amateur photographers might find this standard daunting. I've managed to take satisfactory bird photos with my Canon R6ii and a Sigma 100-400mm 4.5 - 6.3 EF lens using an adapter. Photography techniques are indeed subjective, yet there's always a balanced approach that allows everyone to enjoy this art form.

[@thephotomanagers]

Amazing shots and excellent advice! Thank you, Isaac and B&H!

[@isaacgrant1991]

thanks so much

[@philipculbertson55]

First, thank you for the presentation and I appreciate the skill involved. As a bird photographer myself, I know how difficult it can be. I realize it is all a matter of personal taste, but to me, when there is no sense of place in a shot, I find it less appealing. When I first began doing birds, these are the kind of shots I was attempting, but when the background is all just colored moosh, if that is a word, they lacked life to me. I then began to work on having just enough background to get a sense of what was there, where the bird lived, the environment. I certainly didn't want to just add chaos or distraction but images without it, remind me of insects pinned to a base, they don't feel alive. That is what I mean by a sense of place. I teach outdoor photography at a local arts center and my students are the ones that prompted me to change my style from moosh to tastefully blurred environment that allowed the viewer to see the bird more as a living part of their environment and not just a portrait. In this presentation, I thought the Greater Scaup was nice and while the Warbling Vireo still had a dead background, the foreground foliage and flowers helped add something. I realize this comment probably seems like harsh criticism, but it is something I wish someone had told me sooner. Your skill in capturing these birds, particularly the swallows, is awesome. I just wish they felt more life-like.

[@isaacgrant1991]

I totally understand your perspective and thanks for the feedback. I also enjoy smaller in frame BIF shots as well and I have taken many. I did not include in this presentation as I am very short on time and trying to pack as much info in there as possible. The key is to take the info and apply it however someone prefers to shoot.

[@AffordablePhotography]

This is the best video I've ever seen on BIF photography! Well done Isaac.

[@isaacgrant1991]

thank you so much. I am very happy that it is helpful

[@alamin-fr8rc]

Learning from a master, easy to follow, amazing pics!

[@realcalebrome]

one of the most easily overlooked points is wind direction; learning that lesson improved my take-home rate tremendously 👌 such a fantastic presentation, and my god are those some glorious images.

[@isaacgrant1991]

thanks so much! And I fully agree that wind direction can make or break your photos

[@realcalebrome]

@@isaacgrant1991 I actually went out to a park yesterday for a solid 4-5 hours to practice the tips you shared in this video and got quite possibly my best ever shots of a bluejay and mockingbird! thank you for sharing your knowledge! 🙏❤️

[@isaacgrant1991]

@@realcalebrome how awesome!!! I put a lot of time and effort into these talks so it is fantastic to know that it is making a difference. Congrats!

[@martysliwicki580]

This is very helpful to me. Its easy to understand.

[@isaacgrant1991]

thank you so much. I am glad you like it

[@ggivensjr]

What are using to make your slides? Are you using a template in Microsoft PP or from Lightroom Classic or Lightroom Online?

[@isaacgrant1991]

sorry for the delay in the response. I use Keynote

[@Jonathantuba]

Why are you using non-tracking AF?

[@isaacgrant1991]

2 reasons. First eye auto focus is a form of tracking that overrides the tracking in camera. 2nd, I find that when eye af and tracking is engaged and the camera loses the bird and begins to track something like the background or water, that is stays on the wrong subject longer when tracking is engaged. Hope that makes sense. When tracking is not on the camera seems to jump back to the bird faster.

[@Jonathantuba]

@@isaacgrant1991 that makes sense, thank you!