Swallows in flight

[BrentC]

I have been practicing a lot on capturing Swallows. Here are some from today. Getting better, still working on proper exposure.

1.
Swallow by Brent Cameron, on Flickr

2.
Swallow by Brent Cameron, on Flickr

3.
Swallow by Brent Cameron, on Flickr

4.
Swallow by Brent Cameron, on Flickr

5.
Swallow by Brent Cameron, on Flickr

6.
Swallow by Brent Cameron, on Flickr

 

[Gary A.]

These are wonderful. Thank you for sharing. What are you learning ... how are you getting better?

 

[birdbonkers84]

Great captures! As Gary A. has already asked how are you approaching shooting shallows?

 

[goooner]

Excellent set. I guess finding the right spot is half the rent, and then just shoot, and repeat.

 

[zombiesniper148 13]

Great set.
Always a good test. Next you'll be shooting fireflies.

 

[ZombiesniperJr]

Nice set 1,2,5,6 are barn swallows

 

[jcdeboever]

Dang, you and @snowy are sharp shooting son of a guns.

 

[BrentC]

These are wonderful. Thank you for sharing. What are you learning ... how are you getting better?

Great captures! As Gary A. has already asked how are you approaching shooting shallows?

Thank you.

First thing is my panning skills are getting better. They are damn fast. I am starting to get faster and smoother. The smooth part is key, keeping the swallow locked in. I played around with different AF points, and for me I am finding 9 point AF works best and I try to be as smooth as possible keeping the swallow locked in as I pan.
Also getting the right distance. Its easier tracking them when they are far out but then you are heavily cropping and losing too much detail, too close and I just can't keep it locked in. I would love to get a full frame shot but not sure if it will ever happen except by luck. But I am shooting them closer and closer as I get better.

Also the best time to shoot is when they are feeding. I think there was about 30 of them yesterday swooping around the pond. I pick one coming in the from the far end and try to lock it in then pull the trigger as they get closer. Of course most of the time they don't make it easy for you and change direction on the blink of an eye.

 

[BrentC]

Excellent set. I guess finding the right spot is half the rent, and then just shoot, and repeat.

Yes finding the right spot where there are a lot of them helps greatly. Feeding time is best.

 

[BrentC]

Great set.
Always a good test. Next you'll be shooting fireflies.

Thanks.

Nice set 1,2,5,6 are barn swallows

Thanks Logan

Dang, you and @snowy are sharp shooting son of a guns.

Thank you. This practicing on swallows should make better captures of the larger birds.

 

[Gary A.]

Yep, larger birds should be like shooting fish in a barrel.

 

[MSnowy]

Very nice set! Some of the nicest swallow shots I've seen in awhile.

 

[BrentC]

Very nice set! Some of the nicest swallow shots I've seen in awhile.

Thank you very much.

 

[DarkShadow]

Yeah these are fantastic and if you capture swallows it makes most everything else seem simple.A small bird on a crack binge everyday.

 

[baturn]

Great set! 5 and 6 are awesome.