Dan Doyle Pleasantville Photographer Shares Tips For Capturing Breathtaking Shots of Birds In Flight

Birds are undoubtedly one of the most captivating creatures that roam the earth. Whether spotting them in their natural habitat, sitting on a tree, or soaring in the sky, taking stunning pictures of them is no easy task. Great bird photographs require an understanding of birds’ behaviors and habitats as well as technical photography skills. In this post, Dan Doyle, Pleasantville Photographer, will help you refine your skills and up your photography game with eight tips on how to capture breathtaking shots of birds in flight:

Understand The Behavior Of Birds

The first step in taking great bird photographs is understanding the bird’s behavior. Observing them, you’ll get an idea of the best time of day for photography, where the birds will likely fly around in the sky, and where they might be moving.

Before starting the shoot, watch the birds until you know their behavior and capture their natural movements. Are they flying higher up? Or are they likely to fly low over the water? Paying attention to their movement will increase your chances of capturing the perfect shot.

Plan Your Shots

Choosing the correct location to take your photographs is essential. Imagine driving for miles to take the perfect shot, only to realize you are too far or too low, or the light isn’t right for the shoot. Therefore, plan before you start shooting.

Scout the location ahead of time and look for waterways where they frequent or areas where they roost. Make sure to choose a site that offers enough light for the perfect shoot, especially during the golden hour or the hour before sunset, which is a favorable time for capturing stunning photos.

Master Your Camera Settings

Birds move swiftly, and taking their photos can be challenging, but you can increase your chances of success using the correct camera settings. Using your camera’s burst mode or high-speed photography mode can come in handy, allowing you to capture a series of images to choose from later quickly. For better accuracy, it’s recommended to practice panning.

Panning allows you to capture a bird flying with motion blur and a still background, making the photograph more effective.

Mind The Weather And Lighting Conditions

It’s important to consider weather and lighting conditions when taking bird photographs. Clear weather works well, but overcast skies can help avoid shadows and glare. If the sun is too bright and casting harsh shadows, you can use diffusers or reflectors to soften the light. Attaining balanced exposure when shooting against a bright sky can be challenging, and this is where the camera’s exposure compensation feature comes into play.

Additionally, it’s important to watch the changing colors and patterns of light during sunrise and sunset. Shooting birds at these times can give you great results with amazing shots.

Choose Appropriate Lenses

Choosing a lens that best suits your photography style is essential when capturing bird photographs. A wide-angle lens will let you capture a wider view of the bird’s surroundings. If you want to get a close-up shot, telephoto lenses are the way to go. They are capable of capturing great details and allow you to isolate the subject from its surrounding backgrounds.

Telephoto lenses with a large maximum aperture (f/2.8) will help you achieve great depth of field and bokeh. When shooting a flock of birds, you could use a teleconverter to increase the focal length and capture more birds in the image. Use telephoto lenses rather than getting too close, and never do anything that would disturb or cause distress to them.

Observe Safety Guidelines And Take Good Care Of The Wildlife.

When it comes to bird photography, always prioritize the safety of yourself and the bird. Wildlife photographers should not interfere with the bird’s natural habitat. Additionally, take the necessary precautions for your safety by wearing comfortable clothes and walking carefully. Also, remember to check the weather forecast and plan your shoot according to it.

One way to ensure the bird’s safety and a successful photography session is to keep a distance from them. Taking photographs of wild birds up close can be hazardous, which is why it’s important to maintain a respectful distance.

Be Patient And Persistent

Photography, especially wildlife photography, requires patience and perseverance. You won’t get perfect shots in a matter of minutes, but you will need to sit still and wait for the perfect moment. Patience is key, as it allows you to sit and learn their behavior and ultimately be in the right place at the right time.

Edit Your Photos With Care

Before posting edited photos, spend time editing them with care. Simple touch-ups like brightness and contrast adjustments can highlight your photo’s uniqueness. Editing also removes clutter and brings focus to the main subject.

Conclusion:

These eight tips, shared by Dan Doyle Pleasantville Photographer, will help you capture stunning photographs of birds in flight. Photography takes practice, patience, and persistence, but capturing those once-in-a-lifetime shots makes it all worth it. Follow these tips, observe the behavior of your subjects, and always remember to prioritize their safety. Above all, have fun, explore new areas, and get creative to find new and unique ways to capture the wonder of birds in flight.