Bird Photography - Hard work!

[dviv]

I went to a friend's place who have a Lorikeet name Chris Murphy. Spent quite a while taking photos. I spent ages trying to get a shot if it in flight (indoors) and found it extremely difficult.

I would appreciate any tips on taking shots of birds in flight - Is it just practice, practice and more practice?

The one in-flight shot that worked:



Managed a couple of nice Macro shots though:

[big pix]

I would appreciate any tips on taking shots of birds in flight - Is it just practice, practice and more practice?

yes........you have done well to catch this bloke in flight, as they are very quick

The wild birds in my garden let me get to about 4 feet away when shooting, then one will squawk and they all take off...... my settings for static shots are a lot different than for flight pix's and you do not have time to change your settings or use another camera...... still trying to get a good shot of one in flight without any bushes or branches........

....... but I will be doing practice practice practice

[dviv]

Thanks!

2 questions:

1. Do you find it's better to be further back when trcking them in flight?

2. Do you try to zoom out then crop the shot? or try and fill the frame with the bird?

[Alex]

Amazing detail and sharpness, especially in the last one.

Alex

[Manta]

Dviv - those macros are amazing. As far as capturing them in flight, Bernie's right about practising. I reckon it's similar to getting good panning motor-racing shots. You just have to hone your technique.

[Louie]

I think you've done quite well, birds in flight are a hard subject. I've had many failed attempts at getting a pic of my budgie in motion.

The detail and colour in all of your pics is great.

[dviv]

Thanks for your comments - the Canon 100mm 2.8 Macro is a pretty amazing lens!

[big pix]

Thanks for your comments - the Canon 100mm 2.8 Macro is a pretty amazing lens!

....... and it shows, great macros......

when shooting birds you have got to alow for when the wings are spread....... big birds have a wide wing span. I am shooting 7fps 500mm Bigma to catch birds in flight and still miss some, as it is hard to track fast birds and keep them in focus. Shooting at 1250th and above is a good starting point for sharp images....... gimble heads are good, and I have one on order, but I tend to hand hold a lot as most times there is no other way or time to set anything up tripod wise, as wild birds with take off as soon as they see or here you. I have found an area with lots of birds, but very flighty, and I am going to try the Bigma with the 2X TC on a tripod...... happy shootin

Edit: have a look at my web site, most of the Birds where shot with the Sigma Bigma and the Horses were also

If you find an area where you can shoot from the car, you can sometimes get a lot closer, but stay in the car

[dviv]

Thanks for the tips! Great point about allowing for wingspan.

There aren't many big birds where I live so I'm going to have to travel a bit to get some practice I think.

The 350D only does 4fps so I sometimes struggle in burst mode.

Bring on the 40D!

[big pix]

The 350D only does 4fps so I sometimes struggle in burst mode.

Bring on the 40D!

....... with practise, I was getting good results with a D70s in burst mode...... and birds can be a bit predictable with their actions......

[the foto fanatic]

The two close-ups are great.