Every form of nature photography has particular aspects that make it difficult to achieve top rate images. The macro shooter must learn to master depth of field at 1:1 range. Landscape photographers are forced to deal with complex compositions and lighting conditions. For bird photographers, learning the art and science of flight shooting can prove to be the greatest challenge. Nothing is more frustrating than attempting to track small, fast moving subjects through the viewfinder of a camera body with a large telephoto lens attached at the business end. The intent of these articles is to help all avian photographers to become more accomplished at flight shooting. I'll be covering the basics, (Part I) as well as the multifaceted technical issues (Part 2) involved with the subject. Whether you are new to the game or a consummate veteran, I hope you will find the tips offered herein to be helpful.

Learn the fundamentals: Photographing birds on the wing has often been compared to shooting trap or skeet with a shotgun. Whether hand holding or from a tripod, proper stance and form are key. Panning is not difficult to learn. Try to remain loose and relaxed. Do not grip the camera or lens like a vice. Avoid jerky motion, and always follow through rather than halting motion the moment the shutter is pressed. It is like trying to spray a running dog with a water hose; you must spray past the dog to hit it. Accept the fact a high percentage of your images will be tossed for a number of reasons. Your hand/eye coordination will improve over time, but is important to maintain correct technique whether you are getting keepers or not. Position your camera/tripod so that you are facing the subject on approach, and in nearly all cases, it is more desirable to make your images before the bird breaks the plane and is flying away from you.

Start small: If you are new to flight shooting, I highly recommend finding a nearby landfill, shore or lake where there are gulls present. Begin with medium range telephoto lens such as a 70-200mm or 300mm lens. Use an assistant with popcorn or other food to bait the birds - they will often hover at close range, and you can fire away while honing your newfound skills. Do not try small, fast moving birds using long telephotos until you are adept at the game of gull shooting. The importance of practice cannot be over-stressed. I often practice on birds coming in to my feeder in my back yard, with no intent of keeping the images. Lock onto the subject as early as possible, as if it were an enemy aircraft coming in to shoot you down.

Know your subject: This holds true for all nature photography but is equally important in flight shooting. Woodpeckers have an arcing, swooping flight pattern much different than say, waterfowl. Passerines often make jerky motions in flight as they catch insects. Some birds hover for periods of time while others do not. Many birds are migratory, so it is crucial to know when and where they will be at all times of the year. Learn their flight routes and the best locations for you to setup at any given location.

Equipment: We often hear that it is not the equipment in nature photography that matters most, but rather the person operating the equipment. Flight shooting is the exception to the rule. (Ed. Note. I shoot with Canon gear, and references here are for Canon bodies and lenses, but other manufacturers have similar equipment and settings). Some camera systems, and bodies and lenses of those systems are better at acquiring and holding auto focus (AF) than others. I noticed that I was getting more keepers after I acquired my Canon 1D Mark II digital body last year. All things being equal, the better your camera/lens combination, the better you will be. The important thing is that you know and understand well your equipment, its settings, functions, and limitations.

Stay tuned: Next month, in The Finer Points of Photographing Birds in Flight - Part 2, I will delve deeply into the technical aspects of camera modes, settings, AF points, custom camera settings, lens settings, personal technique and more.

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