Target Practice!
I swear barn swallows have the ability for short range teleportation. They are very quick birds and can change directions before you raise your lens. That’s why I use them for target practice. I have rejected very few of my photos over a few sessions for being out of focus. Mind you, sometimes the birds are too far away or underexposed. Still, whenever you’re trying to shoot birds, it all starts with getting the focus right.
Here are a few helpful tips on nailing your focus:
Familiarize yourself with your camera’s autofocus modes. Most of these photos were shot auto. I find this mode helpful for fast moving subjects that bounce around your frame. It worked here because the the background was nothing but clear sky. For subjects where there is more obstruction, I like to use 9 point autofocus, or single point for subjects that don’t move at all.
Increase your shutter speed. Sometimes even if your focus is dead on, you still miss the shot. For fast moving subjects, it may just be motion blur you’re seeing. Don’t be afraid to crank the ISO up a little if it means getting the shot.
Software is your friend. There is some incredible software out there like Topaz Sharpen AI. It can do great work bringing back a subject that is slightly blurry. Be careful not to rely on software like this though as it certainly has its limitations.
Click on any image to view in more detail.
