Shutter Speed and Bird Photography
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High end, digital point and shoot cameras on the market today are popular with birders because they allow them to capture a variety pictures, including birds in flight.
These cameras commonly provide a shutter speed setting mode. Shutter speed defined means the amount of time a camera's eye, the lens, stays open to capture an image.
Most digital cameras provide a range of shutter speed settings.
The slow end of the shutter speed range approaches the one frame every three seconds level. Typically, keeping a camera lens open for that amount of time during daylight conditions invites too much light into the picture, ruining it.
The fast end of the shutter speed range approaches the one frame every 1/2000 of a second level. Generally, bird photography enthusiasts opt for the faster settings.
With few exceptions, birds are characterized by flight. Higher shutter speeds, in the 1/500 - 1/2000 range, are necessary for capturing clear pictures of birds in flight.
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Shutter speed settings are equally important for non-flight pictures of birds.
While many bird species of birds can sit still and pose for extended periods of time, other bird species have trouble sitting still for any length of time.
Keeping a shutter speed setting at the 1/500 - 1/1000 level to compensate for any bird movement usually works for capturing most birds.
For example, hummingbirds in flight are often considered a quintessential nature photography subject. Hummingbirds also live an entirely different life at rest in the branches.
Most hummingbird pictures require a fast shutter speed setting. The male Anna's Hummingbird pictured at left was taken at close range with approximately a 1/500 shutter speed setting.
In rare instances where shutter speed is not an issue because the bird is sitting pretty, asking you to take his picture, consider changing the mode to aperture setting, which regulates the amount of light the lens allows.
Typically lower aperture settings allow in more light, adding greater focus and clarity to the scene. Higher aperture settings, on the other hand, allow in less light and provide a sharper focus on the subject and a blurred background effect.
Photo composition follows the mastery of technical issues such as light and shutter speed. Good technique makes for good pictures. Good technique and good composition make for better pictures.
© 2002-2011. Patricia A.Michaels