Fast Shutter Speeds for Slow and Faster Flying Birds

CANON Shutter Speeds for Slow and Faster Flying Birds

Fast Shutter Speeds for Slow and Faster Flying Birds

Fast shutter speeds for slow and faster flying birds - and one experimental slow shutter speed capture

Yesterday I briefly discussed the effect of slow shutter speeds on relatively fast movement subjects for creating motion blur in some of the moving parts (the areaoplane and the motorcycle) - capturing them with shutter speeds of between 1/60s - 1/125s if the objective of the photographer is to show motion blur (in i.e. the propellers and wheels).

With birds in flight photography it is generally quite the opposite: the objective is to freeze the motion of the bird in flight (main areas are the wings, heads and sometimes a few water drops as well).

The shutter speeds used for the 3 birds: the first two fast and the third bird is an application of a slow shutter speed of a medium-fast bird.

Image 1: for the little egret (a relatively slow flying bird) I used a shutter speed of 1/3200s with an aperture of f/5.6 (using Manual Mode). The shutter speed is responsible for stopping the motion and the aperture at f/5.6 is to provide sufficient background blur - the out of focus area between the bird and the background.

Image 2: for the pied kingfisher (a very fast and at time erratic flyer and diver) I used a fast shutter speed of 1/5000s to ensure stopping any motion of the bird and the water. I used an aperture of f/5.6 (using Manual Mode). The background in this image was slightly less blurred than image one as the subject here is very close to the water and the blurring effect with the Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens at f/5.6 is less effective at a shorter background range).

Image 3: this is an experimental / abstract capture for showing a slow shutter speed on a relatively fast flying bird (white-breasted cormorant). Shutter speed was pre-set in Tv Mode at 1/60s.

To be safe, for most bird speeds, I use an average shutter speed of 1/3200s - 1/4000s. Lower in lower light and higher in good light / fast flying birds.

Note on ISO and Shutter Speed: I use Auto-ISO in Manual mode for all my birds in flight photography and with higher shutter speed comes higher ISO''s for my ideal exposures - i.e. if you are achieving an ISO of 400 with a shutter speed of say 1/3200s and you move to 1/4000s the ISO will move one stop more to ISO 640 or 800 (depending on your camera's ISO settings). In low light the ISO (when using Auto ISO) could go even higher.

Most entry-level DSLRs can only achieve a maximum shutter speed of 1/4000s. Higher-end models are capable of achieving shutter speeds of 1/8000s. For most birds in flight / fast action a shutter speed of up to 1/4000s should be fast enough for stopping the motion.

All three images captured with Canon EOS 7D Mark II / EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens at Woodbridge Island.

Fast Shutter Speed in Still Photography
"In still photography, shutter speed is one of the three main elements of the exposure triangle, along with aperture and ISO. Shutter speed refers to the amount of time the camera's shutter is open, allowing light to reach the camera sensor. A fast shutter speed means that the shutter is open for a very short duration, resulting in less light reaching the sensor.

Here are some key points about using a fast shutter speed in still photography:

• Freezing Motion: One of the primary reasons to use a fast shutter speed is to freeze motion. This is especially important when photographing fast-moving subjects, such as sports events or wildlife. A fast shutter speed helps capture a sharp image without motion blur.

• Reducing Camera Shake: Fast shutter speeds also help minimize the effects of camera shake. When shooting handheld or in low light conditions, a faster shutter speed can prevent blurry images caused by slight movements of the camera.

• Limited Amount of Light: The trade-off with a fast shutter speed is that it allows less light to reach the camera sensor. In situations where there is not much available light, using a fast shutter speed may require larger apertures or higher ISO settings to compensate for the reduced exposure time.

• Aperture and ISO Considerations: To maintain a proper exposure, you may need to adjust other exposure settings when using a fast shutter speed. For example, you might need to use a wider aperture (smaller f-number) or increase the ISO to allow more light into the camera.

• Creative Effects: Fast shutter speeds can also be used creatively. For example, high-speed photography captures fast events that are normally imperceptible to the human eye, such as a bursting water balloon or a splash of liquid.

• Choosing the Right Shutter Speed: The appropriate shutter speed depends on the specific conditions and the effect you want to achieve. In general, for freezing typical everyday motion, a shutter speed of 1/250th of a second or faster is often sufficient. However, for faster action or very fast subjects, even faster shutter speeds may be necessary.

Keep in mind that while a fast shutter speed is advantageous in many situations, there are instances where a slower shutter speed may be intentionally used to convey a sense of motion or create long-exposure effects. Understanding how shutter speed interacts with aperture and ISO is crucial for achieving the desired exposure and creative effect in your photographs." (Source: ChatGPT 2023)

Fast Shutter Speed Action: Little egret in flight Woodbridge Island

Fast Shutter Speed Action: Pied kingfisher in flight Woodbridge Island

Slow Shutter Speed Action: White-breasted cormorant in flight Woodbridge Island

Birds in flight Photography View

Canon Photography Training Milnerton Woodbridge Island | Kirstenbosch Cape Town