Digital Photographer - UK (2019-08)

4

Shutter speed Try different shutter
speeds until you get an effect you like.
The length can also depend on your subject.
For example, a puffin in flight will probably
need a faster shutter speed.

5

Check your stance Brace your

arms to minimise vertical and tilt

motions with the camera. You may find this

easier if you shoot by using the viewfinder

(if you have one) rather than the screen.

6

Track your subject Follow them

before, during and after shooting in a

smooth motion to create a nice blurred trail

in the background. aim to keep them in the

same place in your viewfinder/screen.

of wings and add another dimension of
motion to the shot.
Seabirds are wonderful subjects to pan.
Larger than most garden birds, they’re also
much more tolerant of human presence
and can look stunning against a backdrop of
silky ocean waves. Whatever the bird, though,
panning is a technique where you can expect
a certain level of hit-and-miss images. A key
trick is to match the direction and speed of
your pan with that of the flight, and to avoid
jolting the camera down as you press the
shutter. If you’re not happy with your results,
keep changing up the shutter speed and
your movements until you find success.

MAnuAL MoDE

Sean set a shutter

speed of 1/80sec and

a low ISo of 100 for

this flying raptor, using

Manual mode to expose

bAcKgrounD

Sean has considered

the backdrop,

framing the shot

so that the warm

foliage behind the

bird complements

its own colours

SLoW SHuTTEr

“I have so many images

of red kites flying and

diving that I recently

turned my attention

to capturing some

slow-shutter action,”

says Sean Weekly

FAcE In FocuS

Focus is pin-sharp on

the bird’s face – one

of the hardest parts

to master with the

panning technique

Left

Bird reflections

The calm and reflective water

coupled with an overcast

sky enabled sean Weekly to

capture an attractive reflection

of this pelican lineup

Top left

Pelican power

a slow exposure of 1/30sec

sends the water and wings

into a graceful blur. sean has

been careful not to blow out

highlights on the feathers

x3© Sean Weekly

x6 © Lauren Scott

Bird PhoTograPhY