Field GuideSection 7 of 17
Technique
Field-Tested Photography Techniques
Make exposure, autofocus, composition, support, and ethical position decisions before peak action begins.
Flight photography starts before the bird enters the frame. Set continuous autofocus, bird subject detection if reliable, high-speed burst, and a shutter speed fast enough for the image you want. Start slightly wider than maximum reach during chaotic action.
| Scenario | Starting settings |
|---|---|
| Pre-dawn silhouettes | Manual, 1/500-1/1000 sec, f/4-f/6.3, Auto ISO or ISO 1600-6400, expose for sky color. |
| Sunrise flight | 1/1600-1/3200 sec, f/5.6-f/8, continuous AF, bird detection if reliable, short bursts. |
| White birds in sun | Protect highlights, use histogram/zebras, and start around -0.3 to -0.7 exposure compensation if needed. |
| Creative panning | Bank safe frames first, then test 1/250, 1/125, and 1/60 sec with deliberate background streaks. |
For blast-offs, decide between wide flock shape, medium chaos, or tight individuals. The classic mistake is being at 600mm when the whole sky erupts.