Shooting Birds... I have been having a play!

Not in the to distant past I posted asking for some advice and what not on how to shoot birds flying...

Today I put all your tips and advice to use and came out with these:













Thanks for all the advice and tips!! - They are still harder to shoot than fast jets or fast cars!

Our advice must have been very good!

G

Must have been extremely good! Great captures. Could you point me to the tips please?

Very good shots, I'll have to reread the advice.

I'll second that, if these are the results of that advice gimme, gimme, cracking shots.

Seriously though if you can provide the links much appreciated.

Those are great pics!! Well done. It's hard to say which i like the best - I really like the focussed heads/bodies but blurred wings on the first three, whereas the last one almost looks as if the three gulls are dancing somehow.

Best Regards

Mat

(PS I 'third' the plea for a pointer to the tips)

Thank you for all the comments!

Here's the original forum post where I asked the question:

link

I played with both pre-focusing and continuous and to be honest I found continuous best. I don't really have a problem with panning or exposure as I shoot a lot of fast jets and motorsport but the key is being patient and waiting for the opportunity to present itself. It's pre-empting them and also to a certain extent being very reactive. Get the camera set regarding exposure so you are not fannying with the camera when you should be shooting.

Thanks again guys for all the advice and tips!

Ian

PS. On my original post I spoke about running up to shutter speeds up at the 1/1000th range but I was shooting these at 1/400th at either f6.3 or f8. At those shutter speeds smooth even panning is paramount!

Love those shots, looks like you really have mastered the art of panning.

Regards
PaulM

You have done really well her, I especially like the last one.

Very impressive for birds in flight.

Regards

Well captured, Spad. Which lens did you use?

Sigma 150-500mm DG HSM

I've been panning for years shooting fast jets and motorsport but birds are more of a handful and no where as predictable!! I just sat and watched them as someone advised me before starting to shoot.

Very good shots Ian, you surely know how to pan.
Would like to see a bit more room in-front of the bird in the third shot like your first two but all very well done indeed.

Yes I could of cropped in that manner but I personally like to have it with the water droplets coming off the back of the goose in the frame than loose them or make the goose smaller to accommodate them!

Spose it's personal choice and also on my part a bit of shooting fast jets coming out! I normally have that to one side so I can get the jet wash in to!