Cape Town Photographic Society Practical : Birds at Woodbridge Island
Facilitator: Vernon Chalmers
Facilitator: Vernon Chalmers
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| Cape Teal Ducks Woodbridge Island @ f/5.6 |
Birds in Flight Assembly Map for Woodbridge Island Practical
Woodbridge Island Map : Assembly for Birds in Flight Practical Sun 19 Nov 2023 >>
Woodbridge Island Map : Assembly for Birds in Flight Practical Sun 19 Nov 2023 >>
Directions and Assembly
From the R27 (running past Woodbridge Island) turn onto the Woodbridge Island Main Bridge towards the sea with the Milnerton Lighthouse right in front of you. Turn immediately Right when over the bridge and you will see the Parking Area adjacent to the Canoe Club with the Milnerton wooden bridge just to the left and the Milnerton Lagoon right in front. I will also be standing right infront of the Milnerton Lagoon.
Time
07:30 - 08:00 (Quick orientation to start at 07:45 to go over settings)
First Parade
I will do an quick overview of camera settings / overview of our walk and species that we may encounter along the way.
Essentials
Please ensure you wear hiking boots or strong quality closed shoes as we will enter the Table Bay Nature Reserve area as well which is a bit rough under foot ito overgrowth. It is not unsafe to walk, just a bit overgrown after the winter period.
It may be windy and overcast so a jacket is recommended.
A bottle of water (+- 350 - 500 ml) per person is also recommended.
Caution
On weekends photographers and cyclists 'share' the side-walk next to the Diep River as we walk next to the water. It is recommended to 'walk and shoot' in single file to give everyone (us and the cyclists) enough space to pass one another. I've witnessed many altercations when a group of photographers are clustered together on the the side-walk for getting that special shot in... cyclists are on a different / faster mission.
From the R27 (running past Woodbridge Island) turn onto the Woodbridge Island Main Bridge towards the sea with the Milnerton Lighthouse right in front of you. Turn immediately Right when over the bridge and you will see the Parking Area adjacent to the Canoe Club with the Milnerton wooden bridge just to the left and the Milnerton Lagoon right in front. I will also be standing right infront of the Milnerton Lagoon.
Time
07:30 - 08:00 (Quick orientation to start at 07:45 to go over settings)
First Parade
I will do an quick overview of camera settings / overview of our walk and species that we may encounter along the way.
Essentials
Please ensure you wear hiking boots or strong quality closed shoes as we will enter the Table Bay Nature Reserve area as well which is a bit rough under foot ito overgrowth. It is not unsafe to walk, just a bit overgrown after the winter period.
It may be windy and overcast so a jacket is recommended.
A bottle of water (+- 350 - 500 ml) per person is also recommended.
Caution
On weekends photographers and cyclists 'share' the side-walk next to the Diep River as we walk next to the water. It is recommended to 'walk and shoot' in single file to give everyone (us and the cyclists) enough space to pass one another. I've witnessed many altercations when a group of photographers are clustered together on the the side-walk for getting that special shot in... cyclists are on a different / faster mission.
Camera / Lens / Shooting Settings (based on my Canon gear / should be OK for most other)
Camera / Lens
- Any APS-C / Full Frame camera
- 400mm lens / or 300mm lens with / without teleconverter (1.4x / 2x)
- Minimum focal length lens (70-300mm) 300mm will be used most of the time
- 200mm f/2.8 lens paired with 1.4x / 2x converter could also work
- No tripod or monopod required (it will just get in your own way)
Recommended Camera / Lens Settings for Flying Birds
- Manual Mode or Shutter (Tv) Mode
- Auto-ISO in reasonable to good light (will discuss in 1st parade)
- Aperture: f/4 up to f/8. I shoot f/5.6 (will discuss during 1st parade)
- Shutter Speed 1/2500 - 1/3200 (will discuss during 1st parade)
- AI Servo / SERVO / Continuous Mode
- Use a Cluster / Zone Area for Autofocus (will discuss during 1st parade)
- Case 1 recommended (when using an advanced Canon AF System)
- 4.5 to 16 Frames per Second (fps) - I shoot 10 fps, but less or more also OK
- Default metering / Auto-White Balance
- Viewfinder Shooting
- Autofocus on
- No Tripod / Monopod
- Recommended: IS off for Canon lenses (when shooting above 1/1000s)
- Above could be experimented with other cameras / lenses as well.
- Ensure battery is charged
- 32 GB to 64 GB Memory Card (+- 1200 RAW images capable on 32 GB @ 26 MB each)
- Shoot RAW or JPEG (not both)
For Perched Birds
The objectives for our practical will be Birds in Flight and / or Perched Birds (along the way). If I'm completely focussed on BIF and leave my settings often on above settings and just shoot whatever is in front of me. If you want, and have enough time before the perched bird fly off, you may want to move from Manual Mode to Aperture (Av) Mode. This will decrease the Shutter Speed and the Auto-ISO. Just remember to turn back to Manual Mode (essentially for the faster BIF Shutter Speed). All other settings can be left as is.
Recommended Camera / Lens Settings for Perched Birds
- Manual Mode or Aperture (Av) Mode
- Auto-ISO in reasonable to good light (will discuss in 1st parade)
- Aperture: f/4 up to f/8. I shoot f/5.6 (will discuss during 1st parade)
- Shutter Speed: Av Mode = pre-determined / M Mode +- 1/300s - 1/400s (for possible movement)
- AI Servo / SERVO / Continuous Mode (One Shot also possible)
- Use Single Point / 4 or 8 Point AF Points Cluster for AF (will discuss during 1st parade)
- Case 1 recommended (when using an advanced Canon AF System)
- 4.5 to 16 Frames per Second (fps) - I personally shoot less than 10 fps
- Default metering / Auto-White Balance
- Viewfinder Shooting
- Autofocus on
- No Tripod / Monopod
- Recommended: IS off for Canon lenses (when shooting above 1/1000s)
- Above could be experimented with other cameras / lenses as well.
- Ensure battery is charged
- 32 GB to 64 GB Memory Card (+- 1200 RAW images capable on 32 GB @ 26 MB each)
- Shoot RAW or JPEG (not both)
For any additional Questions:
Feel free to WhatsApp me on 082 5596 083
Please Note:
I prefer one-on-one questions and answers rather than belonging to any WhatsApp Group.
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Agenda (as Presented in Pinelands - March 2023)
- Introduction (Personal / Image Story)
- Bird Photography / Considerations
- Perched Birds / Birds in Flight
- Lenses / Tele-converters
- Autofocus (AF) Systems
- AF System Settings / Enhancements
- Camera / Lens / Exposure Settings
- Tracking / Environmental Variables
- Conclusion
- Practical Preparation
General Bird Photography Considerations
A Popular Photography Genre
Important Considerations
- DSLR vs. Mirrorless Bodies
- Lenses (on Full-Frame vs. APS-C Bodies)
- AF Systems / AI SERVO Configurations
- Frames per Second (fps) / Buffer Speed
- RAW vs JPG (Buffer Speed vs. Post-Processing
- Buffer Size / Memory Card Speeds
- Exposure Settings (SS / A / ISO / Other)
Lenses for Birds / Birds in Flight
- Recommended Focal Length (300mm - 400mm)
- Brand Choices?
- Prime vs. Zoom Lenses
- Fix Aperture (i.e. f/2.8) vs. Variable Aperture (i.e. f/4-5.6)
Bird Lenses (Range)
- 70-300mm (f/4-5.6)
- 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 (or Similar)
- 300mm (options) f/2.8 / f/4
- 400mm (options) f/2.8 / f/4 / f/5.6
- 500mm / 600mm / 800mm f/4 / f/5.6 / f/11
Teleconverter / Multiplication Factor
- Camera / Lens Considerations
- Advantages / Disadvantages
1,4x Converter
- f/2.8 x1.4 = f/4
- f/4 x 1.4 = f/5.6
- f/5.6 x 1.4 = f/8
2x Converter
- f/2.8 x2 = f/5.6
- f/4 x 2 = f/8
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| Southern Double-Collared Sunbird Bird Kirstenbosch 400mm @ f/5.6 |
Perched Bird Photography
Bird Images (Slide Show)
Important Considerations
- Location / Quality of Light
- Lens Choice (Use of Mono / Tripod)
- AF System / AF-Point Configuration
- Exposure Settings (A / ISO / SS / Other)
- Av vs. Manual Mode
- Minimum Focus Distance (MFD)
- Depth of Field / Separation (f/Stop?)
- Single bird vs. Two or More (f/stop?)
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| Yellow-Billed Duck Woodbridge Island 400mm @ f/5.6 |
Birds in Flight (BIF) Photography
Important Considerations (with body / lens in hand)
Important Considerations (with body / lens in hand)
- Location / Quality of Light
- Lens Choice (Handholding)
- AF System / AF-Point / Zone Configuration
- Exposure Settings (SS / A / ISO / Other)
- Manual Mode vs. TV Mode
- Depth of Field / Background Separation
- Single Bird vs. Two or more (f/stop?)
Autofocus (AF) Systems
Phase Detection AF
- TTL (Through The Lens) / Viewfinder (Optical)
- Separate Sensor / AF Module
- Faster / Practical for BIF
- Smaller AF-Point Coverage (Grid)
Contrast Detection AF
- LCD / Live View Mode
- Used in Mirrorless Cameras
- Larger Sensor Coverage (More AF Points)
Exposure Settings / Technique (Perched)
Settings Via Viewfinder (M or TV Mode)
Settings Via Viewfinder (M or TV Mode)
- ISO 100 - 800+ (Depending on the Light / Body)
- Aperture f/4-f/8+ (Depending on the Lens)
My Preferred Bird Settings (Av / M Mode)
- 100 - 400mm or 400mm lens (FF or Crop Body)
- RAW / Auto-ISO / Evaluative Metering / Auto-WB
- Aperture f/5.6 - f/8 (Depending on the Objectives)
- Shutter Speed 1/400s - 1/2000s +
- AF-Point 'Expansion Cluster' / Zone AF
- Multi-Shot Mode / AI Servo (4.5 - 10 fps)
- AF Tracking / Short Bursts
Exposure Settings / Technique (BIF)
BIF Settings Via Viewfinder (M or TV Mode)
BIF Settings Via Viewfinder (M or TV Mode)
- ISO 100 - 800+ (Depending on the Light / Body)
- Aperture f/4-f/8+ (Depending on the Lens)
My Preferred Birds in Flight Settings (M Mode)
- 400mm lens (Crop Body)
- RAW / Auto-ISO / Evaluative Metering / Auto-WB
- Aperture f/5.6 - f/6.3 (Depending on the Objectives)
- Shutter Speed 1/2500 - 1/3200s (Depending on Bird / Light)
- Zone AF / Large Zone AF
- Multi-Shot Mode / AI Servo (10 fps)
- AF Tracking / Short Bursts
Tracking / Environmental Variables
- Weather / Quality of Light
- Position of the sun
- Size / Speed
- Flight direction
- Movement
- Eye(s)
Distance: Foreground vs. Background for Blur
Environmental Variables for Improved Birds in Flight Photography- Bird vs. Background for Separation
- Background / Contrast / Obstacles
- Composition
- Post-Processing
Wrapping-Up
- Establish an 'Overall Workflow'
- Understand Light / Exposure
- Gear (Extract Maximum Value)
- Develop Good Technique(s) / Practice
- Experiment and Enjoy
Practical for Saturday
- To be discussed
- Logistics
- Times
Links to Birds / Settings (Perched Birds / Bird Portraits)
Canon EOS R6 Mirrorless (Woodbridge Island)
Canon EOS R6 Mirrorless (Woodbridge Island)
Canon EOS R6 Mirrorless (Woodbridge Island)
Perched Small Birds at Kirstenbosch 1
Birds in Flight at higher ISO’s / Moodiness of Poor Light (Woodbridge Island)
Birds in Flight at higher ISO’s / Moodiness of Poor Light (Woodbridge Island)
Perched Small Birds at Kirstenbosch 1
Perched Small Birds at Kirstenbosch 2
Perched Small Birds at Kirstenbosch 2
Perched Small Birds at Kirstenbosch 3
Perched Small Birds at Kirstenbosch 3
Perched Small Birds at Kirstenbosch 3
Portraits of Various Birds / Settings (Kirstenbosch / Intaka & Woodbridge Island)
Woodbridge Island Bird Species Index
Woodbridge Island Bird Species Index
Canon EOS 70D Birds in Flight Woodbridge Island
Woodbridge Island Bird Species Index
Woodbridge Island Bird Species Index
Links to Birds in Flight / Settings
Canon EOS 7D Mark II Birds In Flight Woodbridge Island
Canon EOS 7D Mark II Birds In Flight Woodbridge Island
Canon EOS 7D Mark II Birds In Flight Woodbridge Island
Birds in Flight (and Perched Bird) Intaka Island
Birds in Flight (and Perched Bird) Intaka Island
Birds in Flight (and Perched Bird) Intaka Island
Links to Birds in Flight / Settings (Light Conditions)
Good Light with Basic Equipment (Grey Heron in Flight Milnerton Lagoon
Good Light with Basic Equipment (Grey Heron in Flight Milnerton Lagoon
Good Light with Basic Equipment (Grey Heron in Flight Milnerton Lagoon
Birds in Flight at higher ISO’s / Moodiness of Poor Light (Woodbridge Island)
Reed Cormorant flying in the Fog (Woodbridge Island)
Reed Cormorant flying in the Fog (Woodbridge Island)
Reed Cormorant flying in the Fog (Woodbridge Island)
DSLR vs. Mirrorless Cameras
What is The Difference Between a DSLR and Mirrorless Camera?
What is The Difference Between a DSLR and Mirrorless Camera?
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| Common Starling 400mm f/5.6 1/5000s Woodbridge Island |
