Saw a Black Skimmer

redsgurl

They are ultimate cool bird.

xenia

That's a great shot.  It's a juvenile bird.

redsgurl

Is it? I don't know much about Skimmers. The book I have didn't denote that it was a juvie. Thank you.

gogittum

I've done a lot of really serious photography and use a Nikon D300s for serious work, but still have real trouble getting a flying bird in sharp focus like that.  Any tips you could share ??  Nice work.

P.S.   I do pan the camera - track them as if I were a wing shooter.

redsgurl

I appreciate the confidence you have in me, but I am a hack. Flash is the guru around here. His imagery of sports is Sports Illustrated quality. My opinion. Until he chimes in, I will tell you what I do.  I shoot a Nikon too.  (I jumped over. Shhhhhhhh) Nothin fancy, but if it matters, it's a D610.  The lens is the Nikon VR ED AF-P Nikkor 70-300mm 1:4.55.6E.  Not a prime or  top of the line piece of glass, or even fast, but I like it for what I do. Tim (Mississippi Mac) would probly qualify it as maybe "Pro-sumer". Regardless. Settings will make or break you. What settings do you shoot?  I shoot the setting A.  F stop setting is F5 thats as close to wide open as I can get with that lens.  Auto white balance, auto ISO. Works for me. As far as sharp focus, a shot like that is better done with your left hand supporting the bottom of the lens, and tucked into your chest to steady movement. Fingers supporting the lens, so you are not having a death grip.  I also push the camera slightly against my face, so I don't have the feeling of trying to reach, if that makes sense. Keeps me feeling more solid that way. Breathe. Breathing is important. Take a breath, focus. shoot. Exhale slowly. Less motion. Be comfortable and fluid in your movements. Fluid is easier said than done. It takes practice. Panning, shooting overhead, over your shoulder if you cant turn, all take practice. Anticipating the next movement always helps. Then, there is always a tripod. They pan, they tilt, a nice ballhead is fairly inexpensive. I use mine if I am waiting for something, or it's a long shot. My camera is heavy and I tend to drop my shoulder without realizing it. I need to use it more often.  I don't know if this is what you asked, I do tend to get wordy at times. Everyone will chime in here, I'm sure. Hope this helped with one element of your shooting.....

JWT

you mention some names that i haven't seen on here in a while. it's gotten quiet.  

one thing that helps me with in flight shots is changing the focus from spot to a zone which gives you more points that can lock on. i have two back focus buttons & will set one for each & then hope i remember to hit the right one. this works great against an open sky. the background in your shot would have confused it. that's just plain good shooting on you~~

redsgurl

I see how quiet it is ..... Is it just you and me left? I should have been checkin in more often, but when they changed everything.............. I have never tried back focusing. Supposed to be like the best thing ever. I should try. I leave my focus alone. I always go deaf when shooting because of adrenaline, I more thing to remember would do me in. I'm glad you like the image. Thanks.

JWT

not many of the "old guard" here any more. it's a shame, Mac & Guidenet & several others gave me great advice when i was getting started.

back focus is the ****. once you set the camera & get used to it, you can't go back. your front shutter will still work the same so it's not like you lose anything. 

redsgurl

Yes, I am sad Tim and "The Craig's" are no longer here. They helped me a ton also. Annnd it was funny as ****! LOL. I will try the back focus.