A female Common Flameback Woodpecker flying away from her nest in a tree trunk. To freeze this action, a photographer needs to set the shutter speed to 1/2500s to catch the moment. - Photo: Eddie Chua
IN photography, few subjects present as thrilling a challenge as capturing birds in flight (BIF).
The art of freezing these dynamic creatures in mid-air demands a blend of precision, speed, and technical know-how that few other genres can match.
BIF photography goes beyond simply taking a picture; it’s about encapsulating the grace, power, and elegance of avian creatures suspended against nature’s backdrop.
For those well-versed in photography, diving into the world of BIF adds another layer of excitement and expertise.
A Dollarbird flying at a speed of 26kph. As such, to be able to capture a sharp and crisp shot, a fast shutter speed is needed.
Photographing BIF is not just pointing the camera and clicking; it’s about anticipating the moment, tracking the bird’s trajectory, and perfectly timing the shutter release to capture the bird in its most majestic pose.
It demands a deep understanding of the subject’s behaviour, flight patterns, and the environment.
The foundation remains the same for those familiar with photography, but the execution becomes more intricate.
When pursuing BIF photography, the choice of camera settings becomes paramount. While a lower ISO is generally preferred to maintain image quality, a higher ISO is needed in BIF photography for a faster shutter speed to avoid motion blur and ensure the subject remains sharply defined.
The essence of BIF photography lies in freezing motion.
Use a fast shutter speed to capture crisp detail. A speed of 1/1000s to 1/2500s or higher is recommended, depending on the bird’s speed, wingspan and where this shot is being planned.
A pair of Sunda Minivets in a tug-of-war over their catch in midair.
BIF images often benefit from a wider aperture (smaller f-number) to isolate the subject from the background.
However, striking a balance is the key; too wide an aperture might lead to a shallow depth of field, potentially causing parts of the bird to be out of focus.
Use continuous autofocus to track the moving subject. Mirrorless cameras often have sophisticated AF tracking modes that help maintain focus as the bird moves across the frame and rapidly capture images.
This can also increase the likelihood of capturing the perfect moment by ensuring you have several frames to choose from.
The choice of lens plays an integral role in BIF photography.
The Savanna Nightjar is a cryptic bird that lives by night and spends the day resting among dead leaves, enjoying its perfect camouflaged plumage. It is rare to catch this species in flight during the day.
A long telephoto lens is essential, and a 400mm or longer lens is recommended to get those close-up shots of distant birds.
Image stabilisation can also be beneficial, especially if shooting handheld.
Finding the optimal balance between aperture, shutter speed, and ISO in BIF photography can be a delicate dance, especially when faced with trade-offs between them.
The aperture for BIF photography can vary based on factors such as lighting conditions, the desired depth of field, and the specific lens being used.
The ideal aperture depends on the bird’s size and the distance from the camera to the subject.
Smaller birds require a slightly wider aperture to maintain focus on their entire body, while larger birds could allow for a narrower aperture without losing too much detail.
In photography, it’s good to experiment with different apertures and settings to find what works best for the specific conditions when shooting and the creative outcome one aims to achieve.
The Brahminy Kite has a flight speed of 35-70kph, so continuous shots are needed to freeze the motion.
Embarking on the BIF photography journey for those already versed in photography is both an evolution and a revelation.
It’s about refining photography skills, mastering the equipment, and conquering the challenges only this genre can present.
As one becomes more adept at anticipating a bird’s movements and adjusting settings on the fly, the exhilaration of capturing that elusive shot becomes all the more rewarding.
BIF photography is a captivating pursuit that beckons photographers with its blend of technical prowess and artistic vision.
It’s an arena where precision and speed intertwine, demanding photographers to be both patient observers and swift executioners.
One can push their photographic abilities to new heights with the correct camera settings, a suitable lens, and a good understanding of the chosen equipment.
Whether armed with a DSLR or a mirrorless camera, the sky is the canvas, and the birds are the subjects in this dynamic and exhilarating form of photography. Fundamentals of BIF photographyTHE choice of aperture must be balanced with the need for a fast shutter speed to freeze the birds in motion. Here are some tips to face the challenge:
Shutter Speed: Since capturing the bird in motion requires a fast shutter speed, prioritise the shutter speed.
Another angle of the Brahminy Kite in motion. Continuous shots were used to capture it in flight.
It allows the photographer to choose the needed speed while adjusting the aperture for proper exposure.
Use Auto ISO in shutter priority mode. In such a setting, the camera can automatically pick the ISO and maintain it at the proper exposure as lighting conditions change.
Lighting plays a significant role in BIF photography. As such, aperture flexibility is important.
On a bright day, there is the luxury of using a narrow aperture (a higher f-number) while maintaining a fast shutter speed.
In lower light conditions, there is a need to allow more light in, meaning one has to open up the aperture (lower f-number).
Of course, the distance between your camera and the bird is also a factor.
If the bird is relatively close, a wider aperture (a lower f-number) might still result in an acceptable depth of field while allowing for a faster shutter speed.
However, if the bird is distant, there is a need to strike a balance between the aperture and shutter speed.
And finally, the storage card used in the camera is essential when rapid bursting is used to record the bird in flight.
A faster memory card is essential to handle the quick data stream from the camera’s sensor writing to the storage card without slowing the shooting process.
Of course, many examples of reliable cards can do this job. One top example is the Exascend CFexpress card, which can write at 1,200MB/s when transferring data.
