I love that second tip. If I understand correctly, you are shooting as the bird flies through the pre focused area. On high speed continuous shutter, you catch a sharp shot or two as the bird flies through the depth of field. Can't wait to try it! That is a beautiful shot of the Great Tit, with its reflection in the water below, at 3:33.
Absolutely correct. What I didn't clarify, as you've mentioned here, is that you can only get one or two completely sharp shots because the focus isn't adjusting, as with autofocus. Depends on a few factors but usually one or two will be sharp.. at the most. So ideally you want more than one go at it.
Another super video, Paul, with some great images and advice. Especially like the advice of changing to MF with birds flying towards one. I use back button focusing so will stay in AF but take my thumb off the back button when focussed on the area I want in focus. Thanks for this tip and the advice in the ‘wind’ section.
Another cool video, mate. Some very helpful tips, too. I'll be putting them to use next week when I go to Gigrin Farm for the Red Kites. Some of the tips I've been using without thinking. Pre focusing for one. Focusing on a tree really helps so I can totally recommend that tip. I am going to really try keeping both eyes open (ideal for keeping my eyes on all those Kites). I have tried it before, but I do find it tricky. Anyways, keep up the good work and I hope to see more of your content soon.
Another great video with plenty of practical tips. Thanks. Question, I am returning to the Uk in late March and fancy a trip to Anglesey, what birds am I likely to see this early in the season ...............if any? Thanks for your help.
Hi Paul! I particularly liked and completely agree with tip No.3. Keeping both eyes open is something I've found to be very useful. Also getting at the same level as the bird is very useful. I've found this is brilliant at places like Bempton Cliffs, when the Gannets and other seabirds are flying almost level with the top of the cliff, almost at eye level!
I find that going fully manual with exposure helps for BIF shots. I take a reading off a neutral bit of hillside or similar. I aim for a high shutter speed of over 1/1000, a stop or two down on my lens's maximum aperture and hopefully at that point there's enough light left to be able to use a low-ish ISO setting. This gets around the problems which occur when the bird is against the sky and becomes silhouetted, or against a dark background when the shutter or ISO go "sub-optimal". Just keep an eye out for changing light conditions. I had a great time a couple of days ago at a Kite feeding centre and all my exposures were spot-on or at least close enough for minor correction in post-processing.
Absolutely the best way my friend. Spot on! As you say, you just have to be aware of changing light. Yes, even if you're out a bit it's often not too much. Auto can change the exposure massively.
"Because we can't fly." I felt that pain deep in my soul. There have been many times where I wished we had a balcony or I could get on our roof 😆 But I am very, very short. That bench you climbed on is probably at or above waist height for me. Thank you for the tips!
Lots of good advice. Regardless of how many techniques I try, birds like Swifts, Martins, Swallow, which seem to be ALWAYS changing flight direction, still give me problems.
Another great tips video. Paul but manual focus? You got to be insane!!!!!!!!!!!! And one more tip forgot practice practice practice practice and practice and don't get disappointed if it doesn't come off first time it takes practice practice and practice
Download my handy Guide to Birds in Flight: koji.to/k/9vbf
Very useful, thank you for this. Will give the two eyes thing a go!
Thank you Mr Miguel. The owl photo around the 3:15 min mark was awesome. Great tips.
Hi Paul short & sweet plus good tips what's not to like 👍
Good tips as usual :) have a great day!
Good tips, and manual focus is a good one, thanks.
If you could tell us (the viewers) what shooting mode you use on camera in picture description would be very helpful. Thanks for all you do.Eric
Good tips Paul. Thanks for all the content with good tips and great videowork. Whatever your planning: good luck.
I love that second tip. If I understand correctly, you are shooting as the bird flies through the pre focused area. On high speed continuous shutter, you catch a sharp shot or two as the bird flies through the depth of field. Can't wait to try it!
That is a beautiful shot of the Great Tit, with its reflection in the water below, at 3:33.
Absolutely correct. What I didn't clarify, as you've mentioned here, is that you can only get one or two completely sharp shots because the focus isn't adjusting, as with autofocus. Depends on a few factors but usually one or two will be sharp.. at the most. So ideally you want more than one go at it.
Wonderful, starting with pre/focus first. Then continue with the other probably great tips. Thanks a lot.
Another super video, Paul, with some great images and advice. Especially like the advice of changing to MF with birds flying towards one. I use back button focusing so will stay in AF but take my thumb off the back button when focussed on the area I want in focus. Thanks for this tip and the advice in the ‘wind’ section.
I will take the tips of using manual in practice. Fingers crossed. Thx again
Very great tips.
Another great video Paul some great shots and tips and comedy as always think you've always been a bit insane🤣
Comedy? I can't even remember.. Lol. I've always been a bit different, yes... but I wouldn't want to be 'normal'.!
Cheers Paul, another very interesting video and some great tips. Love the owl heading straight at you! Wonderful. Take care and be safe. Graham🇬🇧📷
thanks Graham
Another cool video, mate. Some very helpful tips, too. I'll be putting them to use next week when I go to Gigrin Farm for the Red Kites. Some of the tips I've been using without thinking. Pre focusing for one. Focusing on a tree really helps so I can totally recommend that tip. I am going to really try keeping both eyes open (ideal for keeping my eyes on all those Kites). I have tried it before, but I do find it tricky. Anyways, keep up the good work and I hope to see more of your content soon.
thank you!
Thank you, good tips.
Another great video with plenty of practical tips. Thanks. Question, I am returning to the Uk in late March and fancy a trip to Anglesey, what birds am I likely to see this early in the season ...............if any? Thanks for your help.
Cheers Chris. I don't know Anglesey... but I believe theres Choughs. And maybe peregrines nesting somewhere..?
Great tips. I am a beginner and are struggling with birds in flight.
Man, such great tips. Thanks so much for these.
Much appreciated.
Great tips.
Paul..Nice pictures. Which software is using for noise reduction???
I don't use any special software for noise reduction. In fact I almost never do any noise reduction on my images. If I do I just use photoshop.
Great tips Paul pre focus is my favourite ! Even with the best camera autofocus it helps to pre focus or use the lens focus limiter ! 👍😍
Definitely agree!
Hi Paul! I particularly liked and completely agree with tip No.3. Keeping both eyes open is something I've found to be very useful. Also getting at the same level as the bird is very useful. I've found this is brilliant at places like Bempton Cliffs, when the Gannets and other seabirds are flying almost level with the top of the cliff, almost at eye level!
That's great that you do that! Yes places like Bempton are excellent.
I find that going fully manual with exposure helps for BIF shots. I take a reading off a neutral bit of hillside or similar. I aim for a high shutter speed of over 1/1000, a stop or two down on my lens's maximum aperture and hopefully at that point there's enough light left to be able to use a low-ish ISO setting. This gets around the problems which occur when the bird is against the sky and becomes silhouetted, or against a dark background when the shutter or ISO go "sub-optimal". Just keep an eye out for changing light conditions. I had a great time a couple of days ago at a Kite feeding centre and all my exposures were spot-on or at least close enough for minor correction in post-processing.
Absolutely the best way my friend. Spot on! As you say, you just have to be aware of changing light. Yes, even if you're out a bit it's often not too much. Auto can change the exposure massively.
Excellent, do you a different memory card for a new location, what GB do you used and are they extreme type. Eric
Sandisk extreme pro, 300MB/S. Often using a 32 GB.
Thank you for the lesson, incredible work.
Thanks for video!
"Because we can't fly." I felt that pain deep in my soul. There have been many times where I wished we had a balcony or I could get on our roof 😆 But I am very, very short. That bench you climbed on is probably at or above waist height for me. Thank you for the tips!
Lol! I genuinely meant it. I've always said I would come back as a Peregrine Falcon. I wish I was taller too.. what can you do.?
Thanks
Lots of good advice. Regardless of how many techniques I try, birds like Swifts, Martins, Swallow, which seem to be ALWAYS changing flight direction, still give me problems.
Definitely. Very, very difficult to do!!
Another great tips video. Paul but manual focus? You got to be insane!!!!!!!!!!!! And one more tip forgot practice practice practice practice and practice and don't get disappointed if it doesn't come off first time it takes practice practice and practice
Haha! Yes, practice and practice.. especially with flight photography! Loving your recent Tern pictures - wonderful.
@@PaulMiguelPhotography Thanks Paul your Videos helped me a lot Plus the practice too
Also being tall helps out a ton ;)
Wish I was taller...
Great tips Paul but manual focus? He’s gone insane! ;-)