Trying to catch a flock of birds: Try as I may my timing is just not right. The birds took off and I tried panning to catch them in flight. This was the fourth in a series I took. I...

Di.Longstreet Loc: Georgetown, Maine

Try as I may my timing is just not right. The birds took off and I tried panning to catch them in flight. This was the fourth in a series I took. I find this frustrating . This was a late day shot 3:45pm. More a shot of opportunity and I won't give up till I get it right . So give me some tips on catching a flock taking off or flying by.

AK Dreamer Loc: Alaska & Nevada

Use a fast shutter speed and don't "flock" shoot. Concentrate on one bird. If your camera allows, place the focus on the position that locks onto one bird with the shutter release button half depressed allowing you to follow that bird. In bright light, a stopped down aperature (high number F stop) and a fast shutter speed = good depth of field. A number of individuals on UHH can give you really good advice as their bird photos are phenominal. I'd go to search and look at some of these photographer's work. I'm sure they would answer a PM to specific questions. All that being said, I am not an expert on birds in flight photography but I do take a lot of aircraft in flight photos and many of the same principals apply (except the fast shutter speed with prop driven aircraft). Keep shooting and I hope I've helped.

Tomphoenix Loc: Phoenix,MD

What he said,also it looks like there is not much light. Will Your suggestions help with the lack of light in this photo???

AK Dreamer wrote:

Use a fast shutter speed and don't "flock&quo... (show quote)

sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

Great info for you but I'd like to say that you follow the target after focus so the 'speed blur' doesn't affect you so much.

Keep shooting. I get 1 out of 50 I like.

Sarge

nikron7 Loc: Indianapolis

sarge69 wrote:

Great info for you but I'd like to say that you follow the target after focus so the 'speed blur' doesn't affect you so much.

Keep shooting. I get 1 out of 50 I like.

Sarge

The folks earlier responded to how you compensate for low light situations.
For Panning you have to continue through your pan even after you have taken your shot. Secondly, panning takes practice. That should be plenty of reason to keep trying.

tainkc Loc: Kansas City

When shooting flocks, set your ISO to around 400. Set your fstop to 6.3 or 8 (considering it is 3:45pm in the winter). Set you camera to continuous mode. It is hard to focus in on just one bird when it is pigeons or ducks at a distance. Autofocus should work o.k. if it is fast. If not, try to gauge the distance ahead of time, set your focus to manual and try that. Set your shutter speed to 3000 give or take for a proper exposure.

A good way to practice panning is to shoot automobiles or motorcycles going down the street.

MarkDG

Di.Longstreet wrote:

Try as I may my timing is just not right. The birds took off and I tried panning to catch them in flight. This was the fourth in a series I took. I find this frustrating . This was a late day shot 3:45pm. More a shot of opportunity and I won't give up till I get it right . So give me some tips on catching a flock taking off or flying by.

If your camera has a setting for "Sports" try using that. It won't shoot in RAW, but its better than missing the shot. Afterwards, look at the setting the camera picked, and you can try those setting in TV mode yourself if the shot ever comes up again. You should also have your auto focus set to Al SERVO.

mollymolly Loc: In the heart of the Everglades.

I know your frustration! I've been trying to get flocks of Ibis coming in to roost. Most are just blurs, some kinda sorta ok. When you find the answer please let me know. I'm going to follow this thread along with you.

Chuy Loc: OUT OF TOWN

We all know about missed opportunities, thank goodness there are better ones down the road.

Di.Longstreet Loc: Georgetown, Maine

Tainc
What a great idea. I will practice panning on moving cars . I will post on my efforts. At the very worst I will get good pics of cars.

Bekkie Loc: Ohio, USA

This is both interesting and informative. Another area I can practice in. Thanks for posting this.

CamObs Loc: South America (Texas)

Panning is a lot like shooting skeet. Square your shoulders to the point you want to shoot, start by sweeping from (in this case)the left with your elbows tight to your body, match the speed of the subject, shoot when you are square to the subject and continue the sweep for a way. This is how I shoot race cars at 200 mph. Yes, it takes practice.

Ragarm

Keep at it. Try panning slower subjects to get the feel of it.

I got this shot out of a whole gagle of them. Trying to match subject speed precisely when excited isn't easy.

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

Di.Longstreet wrote:

Try as I may my timing is just not right. The birds took off and I tried panning to catch them in flight. This was the fourth in a series I took. I find this frustrating . This was a late day shot 3:45pm. More a shot of opportunity and I won't give up till I get it right . So give me some tips on catching a flock taking off or flying by.

You answered your own question - the key is - practice

Ragarm

Someone mentioned follow through, critical. All shotgun shooting sports teach you that. Once you 'get it', it sticks with you. You'll know it when you've got it.