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Photographing flocks of birds
Jul 6, 2020 08:39:22 #
Looking for some insight on photographing flocks of birds, this is not in my normal wheel house. Recently tried photographing a Purple Martin roosting area and not pleased with the results. To complicate the situation it must be done from a boat as it’s an island and you can’t set foot on it. Showing what was best result of the flock, however the second photo of the sunrise I was able to take that morning July 4, 2020. Thank you in advance for any constructive help or criticism.
Jul 6, 2020 09:59:02 #
Flocks of birds are hard. The only shots that I have ever gotten that are semi decent are of swallows and geese. The geese worked because they are so large that you can tell they are geese and they fade off into dots. The show was thousands of migrating snow geese. The swallows worked because the near ones were only about 5 ft away and therefore look like birds and the rest faded into dots. Sometime a short video is the only way to really show flocks of birds. Nice sunset.
Jul 6, 2020 10:17:59 #
Strodav
Loc: Houston, Tx
I generally don't shoot small birds in flocks as I haven't been able to get an interesting shot. I will shoot pelicans and geese in formation and I've got an interesting shot of dozens of vultures on a power line tower, but I like ORpilot's suggestion of shooting a video.
Jul 6, 2020 10:42:23 #
Yep flocks are tough. The only way that I've been successful is to be close with fairly big birds and shoot lots of them.
Jul 6, 2020 10:46:20 #
cedymock wrote:
Looking for some insight on photographing flocks of birds, this is not in my normal wheel house. . . . Thank you in advance for any constructive help or criticism.
Another possibility is to photograph a large flock of starlings. Watching murmuration videos (look it up) is fascinating. You might get a still photo that is impressive. Sometimes, pigeons behave similarly. Good luck.
Jul 7, 2020 06:20:40 #
To shoot a flock, you need a flock. It doesn’t happen often, but if you’re out there, you’re sure to see a few, and be prepared.
Jul 7, 2020 07:39:16 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
cedymock wrote:
Looking for some insight on photographing flocks of birds, this is not in my normal wheel house. Recently tried photographing a Purple Martin roosting area and not pleased with the results. To complicate the situation it must be done from a boat as it’s an island and you can’t set foot on it. Showing what was best result of the flock, however the second photo of the sunrise I was able to take that morning July 4, 2020. Thank you in advance for any constructive help or criticism.
You need to be a LOT, LOT, LOT, LOT, LOT closer. Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.
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Jul 7, 2020 07:50:08 #
Practice and luck are needed, maybe some planning for 'what / how' the resulting image will look. We have purple martins hunting bugs in the morning here in Chicago, no where near as thick as your first image. But, translating that observation / knowledge into an image that 'communicates' as an idea is a difficult task. Too much of the 'flock' looks like lint / sensor dust in the results.
For the few times I've been prepared and near enough when a flock burst into the air at Bosque del Apache, I've tried to follow one bird in the AF to have something specifically focused in the resulting image.
Snow geese confusion by Paul Sager, on Flickr
Snow Geese by Paul Sager, on Flickr
For the few times I've been prepared and near enough when a flock burst into the air at Bosque del Apache, I've tried to follow one bird in the AF to have something specifically focused in the resulting image.
Snow geese confusion by Paul Sager, on Flickr
Snow Geese by Paul Sager, on Flickr
Jul 7, 2020 08:16:05 #
Jul 7, 2020 10:55:34 #
Closer, do take-offs and landings, focus on a specific bird in the front that you want sharp and let the focus fall off after that. Try not to focus on the bird in the center, but instead a bird more to the side. These shots never seem to actually tell the story but I think it's the best approach.
Jul 7, 2020 11:59:34 #
I have considered shooting the same birds for I am a fellow Irmolian. You have low light, boat bouncing, unless you set up on the island which likely not allowed...maybe get 400mm+ lens and focus on one and hope for large number in background. Maybe get sun behind you at sunset, wide enough lens to get part of the island, the boats and large contingent of birds in the shot with aperture fairly small and crop it a good bit...Truly a fine spectacle to behold.
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Jul 7, 2020 15:36:59 #
Yes it can be done, however, you need to be as close as possible and use a telephoto lens. It's a challenge, but can be rewarding if lucks on your side.
Jul 7, 2020 16:25:38 #
deputydawg265101
Loc: Montana
I too have tried flocks of snow geese which occasionally appear when we are out and about. I am unable to get close enough with the camera I have but still enjoy seeing them as the land on open water in early spring in Montana. We are 25 miles from the water so our timely arrival together usually does not happen.
Jul 8, 2020 12:18:42 #
Want to thank you for your suggestions and comments, I will be trying again and let you know the results.
Thank you again for your feedback ; ORpilot, Strodav, Retired CPO, ygelman, capmike, billnikon, Paul, mizzee, via the lens, Jrwil, RogLev and joan.
Thank you again for your feedback ; ORpilot, Strodav, Retired CPO, ygelman, capmike, billnikon, Paul, mizzee, via the lens, Jrwil, RogLev and joan.
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