Como fotografar pássaros: Um guia para iniciantes para fotografar pássaros em voo

Learning how to photograph birds, especially birds in flight, is both exhilarating and challenging. Capturing their fast and fleeting movement requires skill, patience, and the right techniques. Whether you’re aiming to photograph the descent of a bird onto a lake, the rapidly beating wings of a hummingbird, or the soaring flight of a bald eagle, mastering bird photography takes practice and preparation. In this beginner’s guide to bird photography, we’ll share professional tips and tricks to help you successfully capture stunning images of birds in motion.

Neste artigo, você aprenderá:

• How to photograph birds and capture them in flight
• Which camera lenses and settings are best for bird photography
• How to anticipate bird behavior for better action shots
• Techniques like panning and using Auto ISO for sharper images
• Tips to avoid overexposing bright feathers and enhance image quality

Escolhendo a lente de câmera certa para a fotografia de pássaros

Adquirir uma lente de câmera ultra-teleobjetiva é crucial para capturar pássaros em voo. Recomenda-se usar uma lente com distância focal de 400 mm ou mais, como a Tamron 50-400 mm ou 150-500 mm para câmeras sem espelho, ou a 150-600 mm para DSLRs (você pode usar o adaptador do fabricante para sua câmera sem espelho). Se você possui uma câmera com sensor de corte, o uso de uma lente ultra-teleobjetiva full-frame nela aumenta o alcance efetivo da teleobjetiva para aproximar ainda mais o objeto em fotografias dinâmicas.

Recommended Camera Lenses for Mirrorless Cameras

TAMRON 150-500 mm F/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD (modelo A057) for Sony E, Fujifilm X and Nikon Z mirrorless cameras. This lightweight and compact ultra-telephoto lens reaches 500mm making it a great choice for photographing birds. At just 8.4 inches in and weighing in at under 66.3 oz, the lens is easy to use with a gimbal tripod head. The 150-500 features Tamron’s VXD linear autofocus motor to ensure fast and precise autofocus, even when panning. It also features VC (Vibration Compensation) that suppresses camera shake when shooting handheld or in low-light situations. The VC compensates for panning movement when the panning mode is selected. Note, if using the lens on a tripod or with a gimbal, turn off the VC.

The lens provides high resolving power to capture the intricate details of a bird’s feathers, beak and more. This lens has weather sealing and a fluorine coating on the front element for easy cleaning and is compatible with Ø82mm filters.

TAMRON 50-400 mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD (modelo A067) for Sony E and Nikon Z mirrorless cameras. This 8X ultra-telephoto zoom lens provides the perfect focal length for birds that are situated closer to you. Its standard-to-ultra-tele range lets you zoom out if larger birds fly closer to your position and zoom in as they move further away.

Tamron’s VC image stabilization mechanism helps you take steady hand-held photos as VC suppresses camera shake that often occurs when shooting in the telephoto range, when panning, and under low-light conditions. The VXD autofocus system provides accurate tracking required for fast-moving subjects. This lens has weather sealing and a fluorine coating on the front element for easy cleaning and uses Ø67mm filters.

Recommended Camera Lenses for DSLR Cameras

TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 (Modelo A022) for Canon and Nikon DSLR cameras and with mirrorless cameras when using the manufacturer adapter. This ultra-telephoto 150-600mm lens provides superb optical performance and features a fast and precise USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) autofocus to capture fast motion. The 5-stop VC image stabilization has several modes, including a panning mode to follow flying birds.

This lens has weather sealing and a fluorine coating on the front element for easy cleaning and uses Ø95mm filters.

Ready for tips on how to photograph birds, particularly birds in flight?

Now that you have the right camera lens for bird photography, it’s time to focus on essential techniques. Learning how to photograph birds requires more than just great gear. You also need to understand bird behavior, perfect your camera settings, and master specific shooting methods. In the following tips, you’ll discover how to photograph birds with greater precision and freeze fast-moving action. You’ll also learn how to create stunning images that highlight your subject’s beauty, detail, and motion.

TIP 1. Know the Habits of the Birds You Are Photographing

When learning how to photograph birds, especially birds in flight, it is essential to understand their behavior patterns and unique characteristics. By studying how birds feed, recognizing the triggers that prompt them to take flight, and observing their typical flight patterns, you gain invaluable insights that help you predict their movements. As a result, you can better anticipate action moments and position yourself for the perfect shot. Moreover, dedicating time to research both birds in general and your specific subject will greatly improve your chances of capturing dynamic and compelling images of birds in flight.

TIP 2: Basic Camera Settings for Photographing Birds in Flight

When learning how to photograph birds, it’s important to start with basic camera settings and adjust them as needed based on your shooting conditions. First, use Shutter Priority mode and set your camera to a shutter speed of at least 1/2000 sec to freeze the motion of birds in flight. Next, set your autofocus mode to continuous-follow focus tracking and select center-point metering for greater accuracy. Additionally, use a high burst mode to increase your chances of capturing sharp, mid-flight shots. For best results, set your white balance to sunny conditions. If you are handholding your camera and lens, be sure to switch your image stabilization to the panning mode. However, if you are using a stabilizing device such as a gimbal or tripod, remember to turn off stabilization to prevent unwanted blur in your bird photography.

Quick Recap:

• Shutter Priority, 1/2000 sec, continuous autofocus, center-point metering.
• Use high burst mode for sharper mid-flight shots.
• Set white balance to sunny; adjust stabilization based on handholding or tripod use.
• Turn off stabilization when using a gimbal or tripod to avoid blur.

TIP 3: How to Photograph Birds Mid-Flight with High Shutter Speeds

To successfully photograph birds in flight when learning how to photograph birds, it is crucial to use a fast shutter speed of at least 1/2000 sec to freeze the action. Depending on the bird’s speed and the available lighting conditions, you should adjust your shutter speed higher or lower to maintain crisp, detailed shots. Furthermore, if your shutter speed drops below 1/1600 sec, be sure to increase your ISO to help achieve faster shutter speeds and preserve sharpness in your bird photography.

Quick Recap:

• Set shutter speed to 1/2000 sec or faster.
• Adjust based on bird speed and lighting.
• Increase ISO if speed drops below 1/1600 sec.
• Focus on sharp, detailed shots.

TIP 4: How to Photograph Birds in Flight Using the Panning Technique

To master how to photograph birds in flight, especially when using the panning technique, follow these simple steps to achieve sharp, dynamic images:

• Start tracking the bird early by moving your camera and lens smoothly along with the bird’s motion.
• Press the shutter release button halfway to activate continuous autofocus and lock onto the moving subject.
• Maintain a steady panning motion while keeping the bird centered in your frame.
• Fully press the shutter button while shooting in high burst mode to capture multiple frames.
• Continue panning after the shot to ensure a smooth follow-through and avoid abrupt movements that could cause blur.

TIP 5: Adjust the Image Brightness Using Auto ISO

O ISO automático é vantajoso em condições de iluminação flutuantes. A ativação do ISO automático permitirá que a câmera ajuste automaticamente as configurações da câmera para obter uma velocidade rápida do obturador. Nesse caso, mude para a prioridade de abertura e ajuste a câmera para a maior abertura possível. O ISO automático selecionará a velocidade do obturador e o ISO ideais para que você obtenha a foto.

TIP 6: Avoid Blowing Out the Whites

Ao fotografar pássaros com cores contrastantes, como as águias carecas, a superexposição é uma preocupação. Fotografar em dias nublados ou em áreas com luz solar difusa ajudará a evitar que os brancos sejam estourados e proporcionará uma exposição equilibrada. Quando isso não for possível, verifique o histograma com frequência para ver se os brancos do objeto foram superexpostos e ajuste a compensação da exposição conforme necessário.

TIP 7: Frame the Shot Carefully to Showcase Full Motion

When learning how to photograph birds in flight, composition is just as important as sharpness and exposure. Always aim to frame the entire bird within the shot, making sure not to clip critical parts like the wings, tail, or beak. Leaving extra space around the bird — especially in the direction it is flying — gives your photo a sense of movement and freedom. Additionally, avoid placing the bird dead-center; instead, use the rule of thirds to create a more dynamic and natural-looking image. Thoughtful composition will elevate your bird photography and help tell a stronger visual story.

Quick Recap: Frame Your Shot for Better Composition

• Avoid cutting off wings, tails, or beaks when photographing birds in flight.
• Leave extra space in front of the bird to emphasize motion and direction.
• Use a regra dos terços instead of centering the bird for a more dynamic image.

TIP 8: Practice. Practice. Practice

A prática constante é fundamental para aprender a fotografar pássaros. Aguarde os momentos decisivos, como quando as asas de um pássaro estão totalmente estendidas ou iluminadas pelo sol. Foque antes que o pássaro comece a pousar para capturar uma imagem nítida com as asas e os pés estendidos.

Master How to Photograph Birds and Capture Stunning Images

By applying the pro tips in this beginner’s guide on how to photograph birds, you’ll unlock your creative potential. You’ll soon capture breathtaking images of birds in flight and in their beautiful natural habitats. With the right camera settings, smart lens choices, and techniques like panning, your bird photography will soar. By studying bird behavior, you’ll anticipate magical moments and create sharp, dynamic photos that truly bring your subjects to life.

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