Hi, I will like to know if there is some "fixed" rules for flash set up in bird photography, angles, orientation, inclination, diffusers, number of flashes...... I try trial-error method getting very different result. When I put a perch for birds, sometimes the sunlight is hard, in five minutes is in shadow, after half and half.....Is better TTL mode or Manual?
I appreciate any help.
Thanks.
Juan, this is an ethical question for many and something you should think about - flashes cause stress and disrupt bird's, nesting, feeding and natural behaviour . How would you like to get flashed in the eye with a strobe ? What does it do to bird eyes or developing chick eyes? Will a bird be scared away from a natural food source, or scared off a nest by strobe flases? Will it stop mating or courting behavior?
As far as "baiting" birds - another ethical concern. Putting up a perch and drawing the bird in with food, seed, etc is also altering their natural behaviour. Some of the shots posted here are "set-up" shots where the bird is drawn in, by food or seed, to a set-up perch placed in perfect light, the photographer is ready at the perfect angle, the BG has been placed there to be perfect, etc. These "perfect" shots are usually very obvious and may get few comments here from those who disagree with this type of human behavior simply for the purpose of getting a pretty picture. Some even occasionally win the weekly WP's.
For many, it's exactly what you mention that makes bird photography so demanding - and ultimately so incredibly rewarding.
The light changes constantly, the birds are skittish (even without a flash), they are small and tough to find or track, they live in deep woods, and there are 1000 other variables to deal with. If any of us feel we are stewards of the environment and have an ethical obligation to protect and preserve the critters (and land, of course) that brings us so much joy, we are going to be "sacrificing" a lot of potentially good images.
This subject comes up here regularly, and a search of the forums will bring up some of the threads. There is also info on the NPN regulations for bird and nature photos (not disturbing or altering natural behavior) on the site here.
Think about these things and decide what you feel is in the best interest of the bird. If you personally choose to use flashes or bait, there are books you can find with the info you're looking for.
Juan, Please don't take this as any kind of insult or accusation - when i first became serious about photography, and when I joined this site, I had not thought about many of these things either, and I had some serious reflection and soul-searching to do - as I believe many newer people might.
Cheers -
Sandy
PS: I'm adding the link to the NPN instruction site, where you'll find lots of good articles about bird photography, and also (the last item on the list) information abouy Nature Photographer Ethics:
Hi Sandy, I really never thought about this point of view. The 90% of my birds pictures are without flash, i really don't like that much the way birds look with artificial light. I bought two more flashes this year, maybe influenced by the birds gallery of other photographer. Where i usually hang my pictures (Fotonatura.org in Spain), a bird without 100% perfect light don´t worth anything, and this is almost impossible without flashes set up.
If you see my birds gallery at my web (naturepic.es), you will see that what i´m saying is true.
I will think about it Sandy.
Thanks for your advice.
Posted by Harry Harris on August 23, 2011 at 3:01 PM
Well said Sandy. While I agree that some of the images of birds using flash are great, I will not take a chance that a bird will be disturbed so I am careful on approaching and also I choose not to use a flash.
Juan, if you decide you do want to proceed with flash in particular and set ups Art Morris' CD book "Birds as Art II" talks alot about it. Also Alan Murphy's e-book covers set ups really well.
Juan, I use fill flash regularly for plants. In the past, I have very occasionally used it for a single shot of a bird in deep forest.
But I look for days that are bright overcast ones as these are perfect for BIF and most other avian shots. I feel that ANY flash is disruptive to birds and animals. I know others feel differently.
Sandy
Hi Sandy, i have the feeling that birds note something strange when you shoot the flash, but most of the time they don´t even move or go away. Sometimes they get used to it and they don´t play any attention. But i don´t know for sure, are just my ignorant thoughts.
Other thing is that if flash damage birds eyes, i consider that more important than stressing them. I don´t know that for sure.
Maybe someone should study about it.
Thanks again.
Posted by John Cubit on August 24, 2011 at 12:46 PM
It is counterintuitive, but I have never seen any animal react negatively to a camera flash. They react more to the click of the shutter. To me, flash photos of birds have to be done very carefully to avoid looking glary and artificial--fill flash at most.
In the example at the link below the photo was take after sunset, and I needed the extra light from the flash. (The blue band in the background is earth shadow.)
Discussion
9 repliesI appreciate any help.
Thanks.
As far as "baiting" birds - another ethical concern. Putting up a perch and drawing the bird in with food, seed, etc is also altering their natural behaviour. Some of the shots posted here are "set-up" shots where the bird is drawn in, by food or seed, to a set-up perch placed in perfect light, the photographer is ready at the perfect angle, the BG has been placed there to be perfect, etc. These "perfect" shots are usually very obvious and may get few comments here from those who disagree with this type of human behavior simply for the purpose of getting a pretty picture. Some even occasionally win the weekly WP's.
For many, it's exactly what you mention that makes bird photography so demanding - and ultimately so incredibly rewarding.
The light changes constantly, the birds are skittish (even without a flash), they are small and tough to find or track, they live in deep woods, and there are 1000 other variables to deal with. If any of us feel we are stewards of the environment and have an ethical obligation to protect and preserve the critters (and land, of course) that brings us so much joy, we are going to be "sacrificing" a lot of potentially good images.
This subject comes up here regularly, and a search of the forums will bring up some of the threads. There is also info on the NPN regulations for bird and nature photos (not disturbing or altering natural behavior) on the site here.
Think about these things and decide what you feel is in the best interest of the bird. If you personally choose to use flashes or bait, there are books you can find with the info you're looking for.
Juan, Please don't take this as any kind of insult or accusation - when i first became serious about photography, and when I joined this site, I had not thought about many of these things either, and I had some serious reflection and soul-searching to do - as I believe many newer people might.
Cheers -
Sandy
PS: I'm adding the link to the NPN instruction site, where you'll find lots of good articles about bird photography, and also (the last item on the list) information abouy Nature Photographer Ethics:
http://www.naturephotographers.net/birdphotography.html
If you see my birds gallery at my web (naturepic.es), you will see that what i´m saying is true.
I will think about it Sandy.
Thanks for your advice.
Skip Harris
Thanks
Juan
But I look for days that are bright overcast ones as these are perfect for BIF and most other avian shots. I feel that ANY flash is disruptive to birds and animals. I know others feel differently.
Sandy
Other thing is that if flash damage birds eyes, i consider that more important than stressing them. I don´t know that for sure.
Maybe someone should study about it.
Thanks again.
In the example at the link below the photo was take after sunset, and I needed the extra light from the flash. (The blue band in the background is earth shadow.)
http://cubit.smugmug.com/Nature/Burrowing-Owls-Athene/DSC5857-7-copy/816741174_iYpiS-XL-1.jpg