My First Ever Bird In Flight Photo

[SuzieandFlo]

As the title says , this is my first ever picture of a bird in flight.
After sheltering from the rain for nearly 2 hours this morning, the sun eventually came out. This buzzard flew right over my head and spent a while hunting in the area I was in.
I couldn't resist the urge to try and get a shot of it. I managed to get a few but this, I feel, is the best one.
I've only had my camera for a couple of months and am now using different settings other than AF which I stuck to at first.
This picture was taken on the N setting, which makes best use of natural light. I have been using manual settings but as it was extremely windy (60mph gusts) and the light was changing from bright to cloudy and back again, I stuck the camera on N for today.
Other than cropping the picture and enlarging the Buzzard, it has not been edited in any other way. My camera is a FujiFilm FinePix S8000fd.

[welsh.lensman]

You did well to get an image at all it those conditions, well done.
May I suggest you practice your in flight shots on gulls, their quite obliging especially if you've got a bag of chips with you.

[SuzieandFlo]

Thanks .
I know it isn't brilliant but we all have to start somewhere . I'm chuffed to bits with the photo even though there is seriously a lot of room for improvement.
The wind was so strong today that smaller trees were being bent over. Not much scope for taking shots of small birds. The Buzzard was ok when flying into the wind , but kept being blown (very quickly) out of shot on the cross winds.
It must have been frustrating for it as it had to keep circling back on course to where it was hunting.
I'll try out the Gulls (+ chips) practise one day .

[nigel_b]

Well done! Against a blue sky is definitely best. I dont even bother pressing the button anymore if the sky behind is white and cloudy. Try and go with the bird to minimise subject movement if you can. Also if you can shoot on manual, shoot wide open with a really quick shutter speed.

[momji1971]

Well done! Go with Wayne tip of the Gulls. I honed by BIF skills with many hours of throwing bread/chips and tracking them.

It's worth spending the time to get to know the settings on your camera like second nature so when that shot of a lifetime comes your way you wont be worrying about settings etc and concentrating on the capture instead.

practise, practise and more practise. The quality of your shots will be directly proportionate to the time you spend shooting.

Great start, build on it and enjoy

regards.
Stu.

[SuzieandFlo]

Thanks for the great advice guys .
I'm at work Monday to Friday , 2pm -10pm so only come on here at weekends and holidays. I can only really play with my camera at weekends too , weather permitting. I'll get out and about soon to try out the tips you have given.
Thanks again .

[mrbright]

Yes, im just a novice, but they're great tips for sure, and that is a great first shot, congrats.
However, eating chips whilst photographing is one solely for the experts.

[John D]

[quote=SuzieandFlo;646659]*
I've only had my camera for a couple of months and am now using different settings other than AF which I stuck to at first.

Hi Suzie, Not a bad shot for your first 'in flight shot'.
However don't discard the AF (auto focus) and by all means try other settings other than AUTO such as AV (aperture priority etc) and as others have said practice get to know your camera and be patient.
Through practice and perseverance you will be soon be able to get sharper and even better images.
Two of the best places around your patch for getting a wide range of 'in flight shots' is Cramond and around the sea wall/River Esk at Musselburgh.
Both are excellent and worth a visit.
John D

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