Peregrine Falcon at Arnhem Milnerton, Cape Town

Special Visit from a Peregrine Falcon, the World's Fastest Bird

Peregrine falcon near Woodbridge Island looking into my bedroom window on the 12th floor, Arnhem Milnerton Cape Town. This is a regular visitor, but elusive for capturing high quality images at times.

Images by Vernon Chalmers with Canon EOS 70D / Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens (M Mode / Handheld).

Peregrine falcon in flight at Arnhem, Milnerton >>

Peregrine Falcon at Arnhem Milnerton, Cape Town | Copyright Vernon Chalmers

Peregrine Falcon at Arnhem Milnerton, Cape Town | Copyright Vernon Chalmers

Peregrine Falcon at Arnhem Milnerton, Cape Town | Copyright Vernon Chalmers

Peregrine Falcon at Arnhem Milnerton, Cape Town | Copyright Vernon Chalmers

Peregrine Falcon at Arnhem Milnerton, Cape Town | Copyright Vernon Chalmers

The Peregrine Falcon: Fastest Bird in the World >>

Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Intaka Island | Kirstenbosch Garden | Woodbridge Island

Using a Birds in Flight Lens for Small Static Subjects

Canon 400mm Lens for Static Subjects with Birds in Flight Photography Settings

Birds in Flight Lens / Settings for Small Static Subjects - Intaka Island

Long lens for random static subjects when the objective is predominantly high-speed action

This is what I love about a 'long lens' at 400mm, birds in flight settings and a static subject without changing anything (and trusting my kit in hand to deliver).

Wild flower during last week's Intaka Island birds in flight client practical.

Canon camera / lens was setup for birds in flight, but its possible to immediately / in between in-flight shots capture some static subjects as well. The higher shutter speed will not really have an effect on image quality. The higher ISO could, but it is removable in post-processing without losing too much detail (depending on the quality of the camera's image sensor, but I don't regard this as too important if the light is reasonable to good).

What works well here is the fact that there was relatively good separation between the subject and the background - it adds to a more solid blurred look - therefore 'popping' the main subject against the reeds / grass.

An aperture of f/6.1 - f/8 would have secured more sharpness across the subject, but for me, while engaging in in-flight photography with little time between birds I take the known risk of a bigger aperture for these type of in-between shots - at least is will provide for a shallower depth of field. With enough time I would change to Av Mode, a smaller aperture, with no substantial impact on Auto-ISO. The flower was less important in my general application a the time, but important enough to share it with the developing photographer in terms of the 'what-if' scenarios.

For close-up shots like this I prefer using Av Mode and Auto-ISO to know that the ISO will come down with a few stops, but with birds randomly in front of the lens I don't change anything - as the birds in flight is the main priority and therefore Manual Mode works best to control aperture and shutter speed.

For predominantly static subjects the shutter speed is not that important (for my purpose) and Av Mode (Aperture Priority) is more often the better option - the modern DSLR camera will in most cases select a good ISO exposure to match your selected aperture and distance to subject / and quality of light.

Canon Equipment and Exposure Settings
Canon EOS 7D Mark II / EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens 

Manual Mode: Auto-ISO 2000 / f/5.6 / 1/2000's - handheld

Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Intaka Island | Kirstenbosch Garden | Woodbridge Island

Canon Snapshot for Thought...

Never underestimate / undervalue the camera in hand

Wildflower at Intaka Island with Canon 400mm Prime Lens

Whatever (older) kit you may have will often surprise you with its capabilities beyond the application(s) and / or intended genres.

The wildflower image was created while I was setting up my camera for a client in-flight photography training session at Intaka Island earlier in the week. The flower was not really the objective, but rather ensuring that the AF and exposure settings were correctly tuned for the available light conditions.

This image is a reminder 'to self' that a camera / lens setup not intended for its ultimate purpose – action photography, in this case – can do other jobs about just as good as its newer siblings explicitly purchased and applied for specific (close-up) genres.

The lens used was a 30 year+ old non-Image Stabilisation lens design (Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM) paired with an almost 10-year old camera (Canon EOS 7D Mark II) with entry-level birds in flight settings. Manual Mode: Auto-ISO / f/5.6 / 1/1000s - Large AF Zone and handheld.

The bottom line is when you get to know light, exposure and your kit in hand well enough you will be able to extract quite substantial value from said combination(s). Together with your own trust of the camera / lens in your hand a lot can still be achieved before it becomes really necessary for new kit. Once you master your kit you may learn its shortcomings – and then with the same (old) kit you will find there is still some value left in the 'creation of images' – depending on how you apply your mind (in learning even more from current kit).

African Sacred Ibis in Flight Intaka Island with EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens

Above bird in flight with Canon EOS 7D Mark II / EF 400m f/6.5.6L USM lens at Intaka Island, Cae Town. Manual Mode: Auto-ISO 400 / f/5.6 / 1/2000s - Large AF Zone and handheld.

I read a comment earlier today where somebody wrote “I’m still learning photography after 35 years” – not making reference to the fact that he / she is not knowing how to use kit in hand, but rather still experimenting how to be even more creative in applying light, different genres and image making possibilities etc. For that alone you will be able to spend many years with the same camera (and a few lenses).

Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Intaka Island | Kirstenbosch Garden | Woodbridge Island

Commercial Reproduction of Vernon Chalmers Images

Commercial Reproduction of Vernon Chalmers Photography  Images

No Vernon Chalmers Photography (VCP) image may be used for business, corporate, industrial or individual commercial reproduction use on any medium (including any digital format).

This is applicable to any artistic, creative, educational, retail and other banner display(s) and / or commercial distribution on any format including any type of paper, plastics, textiles, metal, wood, glass and / or digital display.

Additional clarification is available from Vernon Chalmers / VCP Legal Representative.

Non-commercial users please refer to: Drawing, Painting, Sketching and Superimposing in the VCP Copyright / Intellectual Property Policy.

Copyright / Intellectual Property Policy Index:

• Summary
• Copyright Protection
• Commercial Reproduction
• Drawing, Painting, Sketching and Superimposing
• Image Locations
• Image Copyright and Media / Press Releases
• Images for Canon South Africa
• Crediting of VCP Images
• Images not For Sale
• Sharing images on Social Media
• Using images without Permission
• Contact Vernon Chalmers

Image Copyright Information for South African Photographers >>

Vernon Chalmers Photography Copyright | Intellectual Property Policy >>

© Symbol Image: Copyright Free from Pixabay

Effect of Low Light in Birds in Flight Photography

Canon Birds in Flight Photography at Intaka Island 

African Sacred Ibis : Intaka Island, Cape Town

An in-flight image of an African sacred ibis during Wednesday's low-light client training session at Intaka Island.

I personally would have wanted less blurred wingtips, but it was a trade-off in the given conditions, dark background and distance to subject wrt selected exposure settings (compared to my usual Woodbridge Island sessions with selective sunny conditions, brighter backgrounds and general closer proximity to fast flying birds flying relative close to my own positioning).

Quality of light

While (good) light is one of the most important factors in photography it is not always possible to have the best light at your disposal. There will be many occasions where 'what you see is what you get' in terms of low / poor light conditions if there is no proper understanding of the impact of light and / or how to control the camera for still getting satisfactory image results. 

One of the biggest and challenging variables to manage to is to achieve the best possible exposure (under any given light / inclement weather conditions). Today, many high-end enthusiast and all professional Canon EOS / EOS R cameras / lens combinations are suitable to shoot in the rain, just make very sure about your own kit's weather-sealing in terms of both the body and the lens (and the weather-sealing as a pairing). Personally I don't risk any of my kit in the rain (even if it is certified as weather-sealed) - except when shooting from a hide / or other environmental protection. 

In good light (for in-flight photography) I normally use my default exposure settings: Manual Mode: Auto-ISO / 1/3200's / f/5.6 - with no problem. In low light I change the shutter speed to 1/2500's (or lower) to lower the ISO. The trade-off is that faster subject movement could cause wingtip-blur or if I have used an aperture of f/6.3 would have increased the Auto-ISO and in turn (could) cause additional pixel noise (also considering the dark background) - depending on the available light / random background in any given moment - i.e. darker trees, bush or other obstacles.

Environmental Variables for Improved Birds in Flight Photography >>

What f-stop to use?

Many photographers shoot birds in flight at a default f/stop of f/6.3 - which will ensure a slightly sharper image (with less potential for wing-blur as well) - especially (also) if there are two birds in the frame / or if the single bird is quite close to the lens (in filling a large part of the frame).

A question I'm often asked: why do you shoot birds in flight at f/5.6 and not f/6.3? There are 3 main considerations in terms of personal preference and specific body / lens pairing:

• f/5.6 allows more light and therefor increase intentional background blur
• More light improves the Autofocus (AF) operation of my camera / lens combination
• At f/5.6 all 56 AF-points of my camera / lens pairing are utilised as cross-type AF points for bird tracking potential vs. only 75% cross-type AF-points at f/6.3 - therefore ensuring a higher precision / faster tracking probabilities

Source: Canon EOS 7D Mark II User Manual - PDF Download 

Note: With the Canon EOS 7D Mark II / EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens the are many different combinations available AF-Point expansion or Zone-areas. In any selection at f/5.6 the AF points will be activated a cross-type points. At f/6.3 this is not possible in terms of covering all cross type AF points (across the AF grid). 

Auto-ISO for high-speed action photography is recommended by Canon for many of the enthusiast / professional EOS camera bodies (Full Frame or APS-C) since the EOS 5D Mark III / EOS 7D Mark II and higher-end bodies entered the market.

Auto-ISO application reference: "In Manual exposure mode, a pre-set shutter speed and lens aperture can be continually maintained, even if the light changes. This allows the photographer to have full control over stopping motion and depth-of-field, while still allow the camera to react to any changes in light". (Source: Taking Advantage of Auto-ISO)

Most new EOS R Full Frame / APS-C bodies will handle much higher Auto-ISO's due to the new DIGIG X image processing sensor (for even higher ISO data in-camera processing). Post-processing of Raw images should ito of selective cropping and noise management reduce luminance noise reduction even more (while preserving a natural look).

Good light is important for 'ideal exposures'. Any combination of exposure settings will have more of an impact in low / poor light conditions. I spend quite a substantial amount of time explaining 'ideal exposures' to my photography students / clients - this is in essence a personal objective and subjective acceptance choice for each individual photographer - without this the photographer may never find acceptance in how he / she should appreciate and / or present their own images.

Setup and Tips For Birds in Flight Photography >>

Modern EOS R bodies should assist the photographer more when the maximum lens aperture is f/5.6 - especially in low light conditions (and fast moving birds in an Auto-ISO selection option).

Canon Camera / Lens Settings Intaka Island Canon

• EOS 7D Mark II Body
• EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens
• Manual Mode
• Auto-ISO: 250 - 800
• Aperture: f/5.6
• Shutter Speed: 1/2500
• AI Servo: Case 1: Large Zone
• 10 fps High Speed Continuous Mode
• Handheld

Lightroom Post-Processing
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic CC 11.4: Cropping. Colour correction / noise reduction / lens profile correction and a few spot removals.

Image Copyright
All Images Copyright Vernon Chalmers Photography

Birdwatching at Intaka Island, Cape Town

Vernon Chalmers Birds / Birds in Flight Photography Training Intaka Island

Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Cape Town >>

Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden Bird Species Index >>

Woodbridge Island, Milnerton Bird Species Index >>

Photography Training in Poor Light Conditions Intaka Island

Birds in Flight Photography Training Intaka Island, Cape Town

A 'Birds in Flight' practical client session at Intaka Island, Cape Town  turned into a few high-ISO snapshots - with 'Birds in Flight' settings.

African Sacred Ibis against the Palm trees at Intaka Island

Bird Photography Training on a Wednesday Afternoon at Intaka Island

We scheduled today's session on Monday. Nature 'made it's own plans' for this afternoon. Arriving on location we were welcomed by poor light and the occasional drizzle. So what to do? We practiced high shutter speeds in these challenging conditions on a few flying birds, discussed exposure settings (for better light conditions) and had some fun chatting in the hide.

During this practical I met one of the most interesting photographers I have ever came across there or anywhere (for that matter) - a Nikon shooter who arrived after work to get an hour or so's shooting in, but such a laid back chap with photography oozing from the heart and not the head. Not a care in the world, just happy to share his hobby with us.

What a privilege to be surrounded by people sharing their photography stories and journeys. Not for taking the absolute best shots, but just being there (even in the drizzle) to enjoy nature and to go home with a few images.

African Sacred Ibis in Flight, Intaka Island, Cape Town

Towards the end of the session I took most of these images 'as is' with the Nikon chap's philosophy of just being 'in the moment' in my mind...

Birds / Birds in Flight Intaka Island

• African sacred ibis in flight @ ISO 2000
• African sacred ibis in flight @ ISO 1250
• Juvenile black-crowned night heron @ ISO 3200
• White-breasted cormorant @ ISO 800
• African darter @ ISO 3200

Canon Camera / Lens Settings Intaka Island Canon EOS 7D Mark II Body

• EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens
• Manual Mode
• Auto-ISO: 800 - 3200
• Aperture: f/5.6
• Shutter Speed: 1/2500
• AI Servo: Case 1: Wide Zone
• 10 fps High Speed Continuous Mode
• Handheld

Lightroom Post-Processing
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic CC 11.4: Cropping. Colour correction / noise reduction / lens profile correction and a few spot removals.

Image Copyright
All Images Copyright Vernon Chalmers Photography

Afternoon Birds / Birds in Flight Images (After 17:00) At Intaka Island, Cape Town 

Juvenile Black-Crowned Night Heron at Intaka Island, Cape Town

White-Breasted Cormorant Intaka Island, Cape Town

African Darter at Intaka Island, Cape Town

Birdwatching at Intaka Island, Cape Town

Vernon Chalmers Birds / Birds in Flight Photography Training Intaka Island

Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Cape Town >>

Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden Bird Species Index >>

Woodbridge Island, Milnerton Bird Species Index >>

2023 Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Update

Canon Photography Training Update Milnerton, Cape Town

Intaka Island | Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden

Landscape / Seascape Photography Training Milnerton Lagoon

Private Canon EOS / EOS R Camera and Photography tutoring / training classes in Milnerton, Cape Town  - or in the comfort of your home / garden (if genre is applicable) anywhere in the Cape Peninsula.

Tailor-made (individual) learning programmes are prepared for specific Canon EOS / EOS R / PowerShot cameras and photography requirements with the following general objectives:

• Individual Needs / Gear analysis
• Canon EOS camera menus / settings
• Exposure settings and options
• Specific genre applications and skills development
• Practical shooting sessions (where applicable)
• Adobe Lightroom post-processing training
• Ongoing WhatsApp and eMail Support

Canon Camera / Lens Requirements
Any Canon EOS / EOS R body / lens combination is suitable for most of the training sessions. During initial contact I will determine the learner's current skills, Canon EOS system and other learning / photographic requirements. Many Canon PowerShot camera models are also suitable for creative photography skills development. 

Cape Town Locations
Most theory sessions are facilitated from my studio in Milnerton (opposite Woodbridge Island). Practical sessions are facilitated opposite the studio apartment around Woodbridge Island. Intaka Island and / or Kirstenbosch Garden options are available where applicable. 

Bird & Flower Photography Training Practical Kirstenbosch

Your Location (Cape Peninsula)

Learn Garden Photography (small birds / flowers) in the comfort of your own home / garden More Information >>

Photography Training Rates
Sessions are costed at R2 250 for three (four hour+) sessions, but shorter and / or more sessions will be costed individually - depending on personal requirements. Any refresher training (for returning clients will i.e. new bodies / lenses) be costed at different rates). 

Primary Photography Private Training Genres

• Introduction to Photography / Canon Cameras More 
• Bird / Flower Photography Training Kirstenbosch More
• Birds / Birds in Flight Photography Training More
• Canon Speedlite Flash Photography Training More
• Macro / Close-Up Photography More
• Landscape / Long Exposure Photography More

Other Photography Genres

Other photography genres (or other personal requirements) will be discussed individually / or can be worked into primary session options above in terms of specific requirements, lenses and techniques (i.e. Street / Food / Portrait / Motor Racing Photgraphy).

Contact me for more Information

Birds / Birds in Flight Photography Training Woodbridge Island / Intaka Island

Photography Training Practical Sessions at Kirstenbosch Garden 

Close-Up and Macro (Garden) Photography Training Sessions Cape Town

Motorcycle Racing Photography Training Killarney, Cape Town

Intaka Island Photography View | Kirstenbosch Photography View

Milnerton Beach Photography View | Table Mountain Photography View

V&A Waterfront Photography View | Woodbridge Island Photography View

Canon EOS Advanced Autofocus Training

Canon EOS / Canon EOS R Advanced Autofocus Training

For Birds in Flight / Other Canon Action Photography Genres

Advanced Autofocus Training Module - Image with Canon EOS 7D Mark II

"Master your Canon EOS / EOS R AF System / Fine-tune your Camera for Action and Birds in Flight Photography"

This module is now fully integrated in most Birds-in-Flight Photography Training Sessions. 

Over the last ten years I have facilitated a number of Birds in Flight Photography workshops in Milnerton / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town.

Autofocus / AI Servo Training Module Objective
To provide Canon EOS DSLR photographers with a hands-on learning and configuration experience through-out the full duration of the theory / settings sessions covering the current Canon 61-Point and 65-Point AF Systems (and Canon EOS R with more than 5500 AF-Points) - with enough shooting opportunity via practical shooting sessions.

Please note: This advanced training module is integrated into my Birds in Flight Training sessions. The Canon Autofocus / AI Servo one-on-one training module will be facilitated from a Birds in Flight Photography perspective.

More on my Birds in Flight Photography Training>>

Applicable Canon EOS Bodies: 
Canon EOS-1D X (Mark II) / EOS 5D Mark IV / EOS 5D Mark III / EOS 6D Mark II /  EOS 7D Mark II / EOS 90D / EOS 80D (and others)

Applicable Canon EOS R Bodies: 
Canon EOS R3 / EOS R5 /  EOS R6 Mark II / EOS R6 / EOS R7 (and others)

Contact Me should you wish to learn only about the advanced Canon EOS Autofocus / AI Servo One-On-One Training Module

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Advanced Canon EOS Autofocus (AF) One-On-One Training Module Cape Town
This hands-on Canon EOS AF / IA Servo Master Class Cape Town will be facilitated to both enthusiast and professional Canon EOS photographers for configuring and tweaking a variety of AF / AI Servo settings for the best possible AF accuracy and tracking performance.

Canon Autofocus / AI Servo one-on-one training will be facilitated from a Birds in Flight / Action Photography perspective.

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Key Autofocus Module Learning Areas

• Autofocus overview
• Telephoto / Super Telephoto Lenses (Prime / Zoom)
• Tele-converters (Mainly Canon EF 1.4x / 2x)
• Memory cards (all current options: CF / SD)
• 61-Point AF Systems (EOS Full Frame)
• 65-Point AF System (EOS 7D Mark II)
• 5500+ AP Point AF Systems (applicable Canon EOS R's)
• AI Servo Focus Areas / Zones
• AF Cases and detailed fine-tuning of Case parameters
• Tracking variables for birds in flight (planning and application in the field)

Photographers with EOS R / RP / 70D / 60D and other Canon EOS bodies
Please Contact Me for more information for discussing the suitability of this workshop for your current / future Canon EOS / Autofocus requirements.

Fast Flying Dove  :  Canon EOS 7D Mark II / 400mm Lens  :  Woodbridge Island Cape Town

Canon EOS 7D Mark II - Birds in Flight Photo Gallery View

Birds in Flight Photography Cape Town View

Canon Photography Private Training Classes Milnerton, Cape Town

• Introduction to Photography / Canon Cameras More 
• Birds in Flight / Bird Photography Training Sessions More
• Canon Speedlite / Ring Lite Flash Photography Workshop More
• Macro / Close-Up Photography Workshop More
• Landscape / Long Exposure Photography Training Sessions  More

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

Taking advantage of good natural light

Birds in Flight Photography. Grey heron in early morning light... 

The heron was captured with an (almost) entry-level Canon EOS 700D and 1st generation EF 70-300mm lens at Woodbridge Island more than 10 years ago.

Grey Heron in Flight : Milnerton Lagoon / Woodbridge Island, Cape Town

Its not always about having the fastest camera / (longest) lens combination, for me, at the time, the quality of light was the most important criteria. A fast shutter speed came in handy as well. This is a JPG image straight out of camera with minimal cropping (if any).

The image was captured on an typical African summer's morning, but still very early in the morning (less than an hour after sun rise). Seeing a grey heron so close was really unexpected, but with its relatively slow flight speed I had enough time to adjust the zoom for an almost full frame capture.

The small aperture used / and the fact that the bird was so close to the background did not provide for any background blur in the image, but at least the f/9.5 aperture provided for a relativity sharp subject.

Canon Camera / Lens / EXIF Data

• Canon EOS 700D
• Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens
• ISO 1600
• Aperture f/9.5
• Shutter Speed 1/2000s
• Focal length: 190mm
• Lens IS turned off

More about Starting out with Birds in Flight Photography

Shooting Birds in Flight at higher ISO’s / moodiness of poor light

Poor Light Conditions and Exposure Settings

Little Egret in flight - Canon EOS 7D Mark II - Woodbridge Island @ ISO 1600

My students know that I’m an great believer of Auto-ISO on all DSLR's in my bag (for Birds in Flight photography.) On this occasion (a while before Covid) I looked out the window and observed ISO weather of between ISO 1200 – 3200. A bitterly cold and horrible day for anything outside let alone Birds in Flight Photography. Normally on a day like this, I will evaluate my opportunity cost options and rather do something else.

But, I had a new client, super keen on testing out his brand new kit (body and lens) and I had little choice but to assist him in his quest for mastering application / practice. I did however, offered him coffee (instead) on Woodbridge Island before this shoot, but the lad wanted to shoot – so off we went.

Herewith one of the images I managed to capture with my traditional Birds in Flight settings on that day - remember I deliberately selected Auto-ISO to see the results. EXIF Data: ISO 1600 / f/5.6 / 1/2500s.

Little egret in flight over the Diep River Woodbridge Island with Canon EOS 7D Mark II / EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens.

Grey reflections behind the bird: Icy cold water of the Diep River, reflecting the state of the sky above...

Follow-up response from a Facebook comment wrt these type of conditions:
"Available light / correct exposure is relative to what you are photographing - and how well the photographer understands light - either in application and / or impact on the creation of a specific image 'look and feel'. Quite a lot of photographers will purchase better and better equipment without learning / understanding the impact of light, the challenge(s) of light an or the application of light (or for that matter, exposure). whatever the conditions.

The experienced photographer will embrace a variety of light qualities - on a spectrum of poor to good - and work accordingly. It's not easy at times, but one learn what decisions to take / or not to take. Many days I look out the window and say I don't have to be there, because its miserable, and I don't go shooting. On another day miserable light may bring a special effect or drama... the more the photographer understand light / exposure the more he / she will extract value out of the conditions. As long as there is light, the camera will deliver (and I'm talking about natural light here, not flash / Speedlite flash or any other artificial light - this is an entirely different proposition)."

Facebook Page Source: Poor Light Conditions and Exposure Settings

Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Intaka Island | Kirstenbosch Garden | Woodbridge Island