Tricks and tips on capturing Birds of Prey (BOP).

1/1250 - F8 - ISO640 - 600mm

1/3200 - F7.1 - ISO1000 - 600mm

1/2000 - F9 - ISO640 - 600mm

If you are new to taking photos of BOP, then these tips and hints may help. Lets start with some of the basics.

Lighting:

Where possible, position the sun behind you to avoid shooting directly into the sunlight.

Camera settings:

There are a couple different settings, depending on the camera, but basically, this will match more cameras.

Some rules of thumb:

  • Whatever the length of the lens (ie: 600mm) shutter speed needs to be higher or equal  to the length (ie: 1/600 or higher)
  • The farther the subject, the higher the shutter speed should be. This is because even a slight movement of the camera translates into a larger motion blur when the subject is farther away.
  • If you are shooting on a tripod, you can down shutter speed to half.
  • Focus types - continuous focus mode, as the BOP will also being continuously moving. Many cameras have multiple focus types now.
    • Some of these that you can use:
      • Flexible spot
      • Spot focus
      • Lock-on focus
      • Tracking focus
      • Continuous auto focus
  • Depending how close you are to the BOP, you will need to alter the F-Stop settings. If the BOP is within:
    • 10-15 meters then F8 - F9
    • 20+ meters then F5.6 - F7
    • The close they are the higher the F-Stop, otherwise you will not get the entire BOP in focus.
  • ISO
    • Poor light (overcast) - 2000
    • Direct into the sunlight - 800
    • Sunlight behind you - 400

How to get close:

  • If you are travel in a car, have the windows down already as even the sound of the windows lowering set trigger them, and drive as slow as you can.
  • Don't get out of the car, as soon as you do the BOP will fly off.
  • Take the photos from within the car through the open window.
  • Slowly move the car towards the BOP and again take the photos through the open window.

Sometimes you may be lucky and be able to open the door really quietly, especially if you are on the side away from the BOP, NOTE: don't close the door. Move slowly to get the best photo.

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