Photographing fast-moving subjects like swallows in flight can be quite challenging. As a wildlife and bird photographer, you need the right camera settings to capture sharp, properly exposed images of these agile creatures. In this article, we’ll cover the key camera settings and techniques for photographing swallows and other small, erratic birds in flight.
Use a Fast Shutter Speed
The most important camera setting for freezing the motion of fast-moving subjects like swallows is a fast shutter speed. Since swallows can fly at speeds over 30 mph, you need a shutter speed of at least 1/1000 second or faster to avoid motion blur in your images. I recommend using shutter speeds between 1/1000 to 1/2000 second when photographing swallows in flight.
A fast shutter speed freezes the action, capturing the rapidly flapping wings without any blur. This allows you to get clean, crisp shots of swallows as they swoop and dive through the skies. Slower shutter speeds simply cannot freeze the motion adequately.
Use Aperture Priority Mode
The best exposure mode for action photography is Aperture Priority (A or Av on your mode dial). This mode allows you to choose the aperture, while the camera automatically selects the shutter speed needed based on the available light.
When photographing swallows in flight, I recommend using an aperture between f/5.6 to f/8. This gives you a fast enough shutter speed to freeze the motion, while also providing adequate depth of field. Shooting with the aperture wide open at f/2.8 or f/4 may not allow a fast enough shutter speed in darker conditions.
Auto ISO and Exposure Compensation
To ensure you have a fast enough shutter speed as the lighting conditions change, make sure to use Auto ISO. This allows the camera to automatically increase the ISO if needed to achieve the required shutter speed based on the aperture you’ve selected.
Also, dial in +1 or +2 stops of exposure compensation. This makes the images brighter, which allows for faster shutter speeds. You want the images slightly overexposed compared to standard camera metering when photographing white birds like swallows against a bright sky.
Continuous High-Speed Burst Mode
Swallows can change direction and speed almost instantly, so capturing the perfect moment is largely down to luck and persistence. Use the fastest continuous shooting burst mode your camera offers, typically around 10 frames per second on higher-end DSLRs and mirrorless cameras.
This allows you to shoot multiple images quickly in fast succession as the swallows move about. Review the series of images later and keepers while deleting the rest. The faster the burst rate, the higher your chances of capturing great shots.
Autofocus Settings
Photographing erratic, fast-moving birds like swallows tests the autofocus capabilities of any camera. To increase your chances of getting sharp images, use these autofocus settings:
- Autofocus mode: Choose AI Servo AF (Canon) or Continuous AF (Nikon) to track focus on moving subjects.
- Autofocus area: Dynamic Area AF (Canon) or Auto Area AF (Nikon) bases focus on surrounding points if subject moves away from initial point.
- Set tracking sensitivity to respond quickly if the bird changes direction.
- On higher end cameras, enable enhanced iTR subject tracking (Canon) or 3D tracking (Nikon).
These settings allow the camera to track focus on a moving swallow and adjust quickly if it changes speed or direction in erratic flight patterns.
Position Yourself Properly
Good positioning is key when photographing fast action like swallows in flight. Here are some tips:
- Shoot with the sun at your back to properly expose swallows against the bright sky.
- Get as low as possible and shoot at the level of the swallows’ flight paths for best angles.
- Try panning by tracking the birds in flight with the camera.
- Position yourself near trees, barns, or nesting sites they frequent to increase chances of capturing them in flight.
Choose backgrounds carefully. Shoot against clean, blurry backgrounds like an open sky or soft foliage to make the swallow stand out. Avoid cluttered backgrounds.
Use a Telephoto Lens
A telephoto zoom lens in the 100-400mm or 150-600mm range works best for photographing swallows in flight. These long focal lengths allow you to zoom in tight on distant swallows and capture frame-filling shots.
Many recommend a 400mm f/5.6 prime specifically for birds in flight. But the versatility of a zoom lens is preferable for swallows on the move. Image stabilization also helps stabilize the framing at long focal lengths.
Additional Tips
Keep these additional tips in mind when photographing swallows in flight:
- Use single point AF for perched swallows, switching to dynamic for in-flight shots.
- Try panning as the swallows approach and track them in flight.
- Favor higher ISO levels like ISO 1600 or 3200 to get faster shutter speeds if needed.
- Expose for the breasts and bellies to get proper brightness on white feathers.
- Shoot in RAW format for more flexibility adjusting exposure and white balance later.
Example Camera Settings
Here is an example of camera settings that work well for photographing swallows in flight:
Camera Setting | Recommended Value |
---|---|
Exposure Mode | Aperture Priority |
Aperture | f/5.6 to f/8 |
Shutter Speed | 1/1000 to 1/2000 sec |
ISO | Auto (100-3200) |
Exposure Compensation | +1 to +2 EV |
Drive Mode | High-speed burst |
Autofocus Mode | AI Servo / Continuous AF |
Autofocus Area | Dynamic Area AF |
Adjust these settings as needed based on available light and the speed of the swallows. The key is using a fast shutter speed to freeze motion, with auto ISO to boost it as required in changing conditions.
Conclusion
Photographing fast action like swallows in erratic flight requires the right camera settings and techniques. A fast shutter speed over 1/1000 second is absolutely essential to freeze motion for sharp images. Continuous autofocus, automatic ISO, exposure compensation, high-speed bursts, and proper positioning also help capture great in-flight shots.
With practice and persistence using these bird photography tips, you can master the challenge of photographing swallows and other birds in flight.