From the beach

cjmchch

Birds in flight have always posed a problem for me, so I went down to the beach yesterday and had a play. These few shots are probably as good as I have managed so far. Also a couple of dogs playing on the beach.

RBrogen

What were your settings on these shots? I've had a dickens of a time stop motion on birds in flight.

raptorcaptor

I love the dog shots! When photographing birds in flight try to keep the sun behind your back, or as much as possible. Bif shots are more dynamic when the bird is facing toward you rather than away from you. It takes some practise but is worth the effort once you get the hang of it!

cjmchch

raptorcaptor wrote:

I love the dog shots! When photographing birds in flight try to keep the sun behind your back, or as much as possible. Bif shots are more dynamic when the bird is facing toward you rather than away from you. It takes some practise but is worth the effort once you get the hang of it!

Thanks for the tips.

I tried some more today but as luck would have it the sun was behind but most of the birds were not as opportune. This one is probably the best of the bunch. Any better do you think?

jonh68

It's better, but if you are going to specifically gets birds in flight, it's best to go early morning, late afternoon where the sun is not overhead. Then position yourself between the sun and the birds as best you can. Midday sun is the worst as everything is backlit, unless you are shooting ducks on a pond.

If you see a bald eagle flying over head in the harshest conditions, by all means take the shot. It's just if you are looking for BIFS, midday is the worst.

cjmchch

jonh68 wrote:

It's better, but if you are going to specifically gets birds in flight, it's best to go early morning, late afternoon where the sun is not overhead. Then position yourself between the sun and the birds as best you can. Midday sun is the worst as everything is backlit, unless you are shooting ducks on a pond.

If you see a bald eagle flying over head in the harshest conditions, by all means take the shot. It's just if you are looking for BIFS, midday is the worst.

Good points, thanks

raptorcaptor

cjmchch wrote:

Thanks for the tips.

I tried some more today but as luck would have it the sun was behind but most of the birds were not as opportune. This one is probably the best of the bunch. Any better do you think?

I like this one! Great pose! It would work even better with a little fill flash!

cjmchch

raptorcaptor wrote:

I like this one! Great pose! It would work even better with a little fill flash!

Thanks, I'll try that next time.