Top Tips for Photographing Birds in Flight

Tips for Photographing Birds in Flight

• Learn Flight Behaviour of the Birds. Birds normally have the predictable flight behaviour. ..you might be able to predict the path of the bird.
• Point of View Matters the Most. ...preferable for the bird to be flying towards you and at eye level for best results.
• Start with Slow Flying Birds. ...master your technique by photographing herons and Egrets
• Use the Right Camera Settings. ...Set your camera up as follows:
• Aperture Priority
• Matrix/Evaluative metering
• Auto ISO
• 1/500th  or faster
• AI-Servo
• Continuoes frames
• Choose the Proper Focus Points. ... 9 or 21 point auto focus
• Track Before You Photograph. ...See learning flight behaviour and the next one checking background
• Wait till You Get the Best or Contrasting Background. ...remeber the focusing needs good enough contract between the subject and the background
• Take-off and Landing Shots. Birds take off and land usually into the wind, stand with your back facing the wind.
• Get Creative, Silhouettes for example
• Composition....Use rule of thirds, dont clip wings.