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How to Photograph Birds in Flight (Canon 1DX Mark i)



How to Photograph Birds in Flight: A bird photography tutorial as I go through all the techniques I use to capture birds in flight. Suitable for most levels including beginners. You can also watch my follow on video for more advanced bird photographers which includes Canon AF Case Settings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FizSlOHNxZQ .

Topics in this video:

0:16 Lens Choice
2:16 Camera Settings (Shutter speed/Aperture)
3:08 Autofocus Mode
4:06 Continuous Shooting / Frame Rate
4:51 Focus Area / Focus Points
5:40 Exposure Modes

I forgot to include the bit about Image Stabilization: IS or VR essentially reduces camera shake when hand-holding. It will have no effect on reducing subject movement – this is down to your shutter speed. As most of the time when shooting birds in flight you are using a shutter speed of around 1/1000 second, the image stabilization is not really necessary to reduce camera shake. However, it does stabilize the viewfinder so in that respect it can be helpful in keeping the bird in frame. I rarely use IS for flight photography.
Please like and share the video. Tell me how you set your camera up for flight photography – and feel free to ask me a question in the comments below!

Buy the Canon 400mm f5.6 https://amzn.to/2l45c6U or GH700 Movo Gimbal head https://amzn.to/2y2ekCg and I receive a small commission.

View some of my Birds in Flight Photos: http://paulmiguel.co.uk/home/galleries/yorkshire-red-kites/

Read my Blog on Photographing Birds in Flight: http://paulmiguel.co.uk/2018/11/14/how-to-photograph-birds-in-flight/

My Website: http://www.paulmiguel.co.uk
Friend Me: https://www.facebook.com/paulmiguelph…
Tweet Me: https://twitter.com/paulmiguelphoto
Flickr Stream: https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulmig…

Filmed in Yorkshire with Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX500. Camera used: Canon 1DX Mark i. Lenses: Canon 400mm f5.6; Canon 500mm f4 IS Mark i. Induro CT404 tripod with Gimbal head.

Music: Staccato, Vibe Tracks

Original source

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31 responses to “How to Photograph Birds in Flight (Canon 1DX Mark i)”

  1. Hi Paul, This is one of the most honest videos I have seen. I relearned so much now need to put into practice. Your images are brilliantly crisp I wish I could do that. Thinking of using a combination of 5D MK III & Sigma 150-600mm (S) for Redkites. They are abundant and quite tame. I like razor-sharp images please could you tell me how I can achieve this, Thank you.

  2. Hi, just confused about shutter speed for flying birds. You said 1/1000, and then you said 1/2000 and then your picture showed a setting of 1/2500. Your camera was set at 1/1000.

  3. Thanks Paul all the people I know here that shoot birds, seem to be talking about back button photography, but I notice that with a few of them,.it doesn't make their photos any better lol.. it's not for me, don't like it at all. good message, thanks.

  5. I tried back button focusing for a while, but started to find misfocused shots frequently. I guess I was easing on the button while I pressed the shutter. I've stopped using BBF now. It's not that useful for BIF.

    I prefer to use the centre focus point on my 70D. Changing it for composition means that spot exposure metering can go wrong, as it's not tied to the focus point on this camera.

  11. Well Done Paul! I love it and you are so friendly, helpful and informative. I love the way you teach and demonstrate and your photos are spectacular! I'm a NEW FAN as of right NOW!!!!!!

  12. Excellent video. I shoot with a Canon 550D and a Tamron 150-600. Like you, I also shoot manual and set my aperture at about 7.1. Exposure has been tricky for me, but I have finally settled on setting my ISO first (since noise is high on this old camera body), and then adjusting my shutter speed so that the exposure meter is roughly +1 when shooting at 100% sky, and between -1 and -2 when shooting against the trees (counting on the light on the bird)
    I'm looking forward to getting a better body so that I can implement your continuous mode and focus point tips! Thanks!

  14. Hi Paul thank you for keeping me sane with your video. I have been very happy with my photography for a while then started watching YouTube to see if there any tips and techniques to make little adjustments and improve? Sadly all it did was confuse. Your video took me back to what I know best as I shoot pretty much in your style – phew straight talking easy photography tips.

  27. liked the video: Have no idea about what settings I feel comfortable because I am Green at this. How about shooting birds perched with heavy cover (Magee Marsh bird week) ? I can only think that single point center focus, wide aperture; 1/500 sec; auto iso and -07.EV. That make sense? Pos EV if overcast-rainy?

  29. Hi Paul, Thank you for your video; I learned a lot and have appreciated very much your personnel comment about the back autofocus button!
    I will try to use it and see the results.
    Regards.

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