This article discusses some of the considerations that can be used when photographing multiple BIF (birds-in-flight). As photographers each of us has our own objectives and preferred approach to creating images.

When it comes to photographing multiple BIF I prefer capturing a smaller number of birds, and typically photograph groupings of 2 or 3 birds. Everyone is different of course and some folks enjoy creating images of dozens, or even hundreds of birds-in-flight. This isn’t something that I typically do as I like to concentrate on the interactions of a smaller number of birds.

One of the most common opportunities to photograph multiple birds-in-flight is with mated pairs. Waterfowl such as ducks, geese and swans are frequently observed flying as a pair in close proximity.

It can sometimes be difficult to get both birds in focus if the pair is flying too far apart in terms of their respective distances from the focal plane of my camera. So, I look for tight flying formations as illustrated with the two images above. I prefer if the birds have their wings fully extended in opposite directions, or with both birds showing downstroke wing positions.

On occasion I will shoot up at a grouping of birds, but my preference is to have the birds a bit more distant so the grouping appears to be more at eye level.

I try to use shooting angles that help to visually compress the distances between birds.

I find these types of compositions to be very compelling as they make me wonder how the birds are able to coordinate their wing movements when in such close quarters.

When photographing multiple BIF many people like the birds to be well separated from each other.

Whenever possible I like to create a 3-D effect when photographing multiple BIF by having the birds visually overlapping on each other.

I most often look for opportunities when birds are banking, thus making the tops of their wings visible.

Shooting up at the bellies of birds is something that I do on occasion, but I normally find the appearance of the topside of wings more pleasing. Unless a bird, or pair of birds, is coming in to land I don’t normally photograph birds that are flying directly into the lens of my camera.

From a geometric standpoint I find groupings of three birds flying together to be the most aesthetically pleasing. When larger groups of birds are flying together I will scan the group to see if I can pick out a trio of birds to photograph.

My two favourite perspectives for a trio of birds are a front-quarter view (as illustrated below) or a profile view. As noted earlier, I usually wait for the birds to be in very tight to each other as I find this adds some drama to the images.

The next four photographs are from the same image run. You can see that as image run progressed the birds drew further away from each other. To my eye, the most drama is created with the first two images.

When photographing multiple BIF I concentrate on the geometric shape that a grouping of birds is creating, rather than seeing the birds as individuals. Groupings of three birds typically has a lead bird with two others following. This usually creates a natural triangular shape which provides balance to a composition.

Our final five photographs are from the same image run and illustrate the natural ‘flying triangle’ of a three bird formation.

When photographing multiple BIF I try to position myself so that the majority of approaching birds are flying at an angle towards the sun.

Technical Note:

Photographs were captured handheld using camera gear as noted in the EXIF data. Images were produced from RAW files using my standard process.  All images are displayed as full frame captures without any cropping. Photographs were resized for web use. This is the 1,129 article published on this website since its original inception in 2015.

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