birdpix wrote:
Keep up the good work, Mike! As I have said many times before, shooting BIFs is a skill that takes some practice before you get proficient. One thing that helps me is, when using a zoom lens, you can zoom out to locate the bird in the viewfinder and then zoom in to frame the bird being careful not to frame too tight. That will allow some movement of the bird in the frame without cutting off a wing or tail.
Thanks for the positive support, Ed. Coming from you, it means a lot.
I have been using the technique of zooming out to locate the bird and then zooming back in to frame it pretty much from the beginning. My biggest challenge seems to be the part about not framing it too tightly. That feeling of having to fill the frame seems to be a stubborn holdover from my film days. My brain knows that my camera has the resolution to allow me to crop a good deal if needed. Now I just have to get that message from my brain to the hand that controls the zoom!
Tomorrow, I'll be out and at it again. There should be at least four species of BIF to practice on. I'll pick 2 and stick to those.
Thanks again for your suggestions and support. Don't stop. I need all the help I can get!