Shoot High-Action Photos of Fast-Flying Birds with Any System (VIDEO)
Earlier this morning with posted a video explaining the best iPhone camera settings to use to capture photos with maximum quality. We’re following up on that now in this tutorial from pro Any Rouse with a variety of high-action shooting techniques for birds in flight that can be employed with whatever camera system you use.
Rouse (aka wildmanrouse”) is an award-winning British wildlife and aviation photographer who “travels the globe on the search of that perfect shot.” He’s also a very adept educator who describes today’s episode like this: “Here’s my lowdown on how I shoot fast-flying birds, which is designed to demonstrate the step-by-step approach” using images of twitchy Barn Swallows to illustrate the techniques.
The good news is that you don’t need any exotic gear or super-advanced skills—just the practical advice that Rouse provides. As he says, “there’s no such thing as an impossible shot, you just have to put on your Sherlock Holmes hat and do a bit of problem solving.” Fortunately, he’s done all the research for you.
Rouse photographed the Barn Swallows during a recent trip to Africa, and they’re ideal subjects for this discussion because they move quickly and erratically. His first recommendation is to sit and watch before pulling out your gear in an attempt to “work out the bird’s flight paths” that can be somewhat unpredictable.
The next step is determining the point of view you desire, whether its capturing the bird from the front, side, above, or below, and then choosing your vantage point accordingly. One interesting technique is to make the shot just as a bird banks and turns direction because this is when they’ll be gliding at a slower speed.
Rouse demonstrates several more effective techniques that aren’t difficult to emulate with success. And it’s especially important to see how he proceeds in a way that differs from other photographers who blast away in high-burst mode—hoping that one of their dozens of shots captured a decisive moment.
Instead, Rouse shoots for quality, not volume, and he’s satisfied with a mere handful of nice photos to take home. One key is anticipating action, rather than trying to capture it while relying upon good luck. There’s much more to see and learn on Rouse’s instructional YouTube channel, so be sure to check it out.
And don’t forget to watch the related tutorial that we mentioned above for those times when the only camera you have available at the moment is an iPhone in your pocket..
