Slow shutterspeed in bird photography

With digital camera technology it is easy to freeze the movement. Nowadays there are plenty of photographs of the fast bird action. Even small passerines in flight or fighting. With SLR film cameras these kind of shots were only possible with hi-speed flash technology. However, one should remember that it is possible also to take so called ”slow shutterspeed shots” with new digital cameras. By experimenting with different shutter speeds it is possible to create very different looking images. Please notice also how f-stop affects to the background!

I prefer to have something sharp in slow shutter speed shots. Often I try to keep the birds head sharp and get the movement either to the wings of bird or to some other subjects in the image.

”Some movement on wings” is my favourite shot. Depending on the size of the bird you get movement with different shutterspeeds. For fast flying birds you get movement even with shutterspeed 1/1000 sec but for birds with slow wingbeats 1/60 sec or even slower shutterspeed is needed!

”Blurry wings and background” you get with 1/60 sec or even slower shutterspeeds. Important is to keep camera and lens steady by using tripod. Then follow the flying bird by panning the camera steadily. If you get colourful background you could create some interesting images with this technique! However, it is difficult to get head sharp enough.

”Blurry legs and background” is worth to try especially if you get colourful background, since I believe it is possible to create quite artistic images like this.

”Stationary bird and moving water” is always worth to try if you get bird for long period in one place and if you get some moving water around it. I have tried this method succesfully on the seashore with waves coming in and on the fast flowing stream. Again experiment with different shutterspeeds. Also mirror lock up should be considered with this technique, since you may want to use as low shutterspeeds as 1/10 sec.

”Bird in snow fall” is another favourite of mine. I really like falling snow and I´ve been experimenting different shutterspeeds with falling snow and have learned that you get very different feel in to the images with 1/500 sec compared to 1/60 sec.

Try it – I´m sure you´ll like it!

If You liked this idea, check out Jari´s Slow Shutterspeed Album!