Birds in Flight

Photographing Swallows in flight is a very tricky business. They are relatively small and fly quickly, often at low levels across complicated backgrounds. Even with improving modern autofocus systems such as that found in the Canon R5 this image was taken with, keeping these birds in the frame and in focus with long focal length lenses is a real skill that should be appreciated. In this example, the photographer has captured the bird in a very pleasing mid-flight pose as it collects mud for its nest. The outstretched wings are delightfully forward of its head in what looks like a welcoming embrace, the tail streamers mirroring those lovely curved lines. The position in the frame is spot on and that glance towards the photographer has ensured there is an immediate connection with the viewer. Note how the focus is directly on those eyes - an important element to images like this. What makes it for me is that lovely warm-toned background which is dreamily out of focus and provides the ideal contrast to the Swallow's plumage. I also enjoy the little bokeh balls that decorate the background. All these elements ensure that the viewer's attention is focused where it needs to be. A beautiful and skillful capture.

High key is an important part of the photographer's armoury and it has been used to good effect here. This image has clearly been taken in harsher than ideal lighting conditions - conditions that can prove very challenging with birds such as Gannets with their white plumage. Deliberately over-exposing in these conditions can be a good choice, particularly when taking a more artistic approach to photography. The over-exposure has rendered the background bright and eliminated any distracting elements. It has also allowed the bird to begin bleeding into the background in places, balancing those areas that are harshly lit and focusing all the concentration on the warmer tones of the head and underside. The pose of the bird is also pleasing, the extended feet balancing the dark wing tips of the forward-facing outstretched wings. I also find the position of the head pleasing, and it's good to note that the wing feathers don't dissect it, but rather frame it. Note also how the tail feathers point into the bottom right corner, and are balanced by the right wing tip feathers pointing into the top left. Gannets can look a little sinister at times, and this character looks like a pantomime villan, its wings like an outstretched cloak about to engulf a hapless victim.

Out of nearly 6,000 entries, this was a clear winner for me. I have seen the technique used to photograph Kingfishers many times, but what struck me about this is the three clear wing beat patterns that have been captured during the exposure and the balance of the overall composition - the perfect way to demonstrate the beauty of bird flight. The flight path of the Kingfisher also forms a lovely diagonal across the frame as the bird dives from top left to bottom right, the rear curtain sync flash triggered at the perfect moment to capture the final image of the bird as it heads to the bottom right corner. The background and ambient exposure balance is expertly judged to create a dark background that ensures no distraction and is the ideal partner to highlight the subject. Judges love to see images that are well thought out, are perfectly executed, and that produce an end result that showcases something different. Add that element of artistic flare and you have a real winner.

I really enjoy the explosive nature of this photograph, capturing the moment of take-off. The frame is divided nicely into thirds, the central warm-toned strip of background sandwiched by the cooler tones of the sky above and the water below. These tones are mirrored by the warm tones in the Shoveler's breast and cooler tones of the neck and upper wings. The pose of the bird has been well captured as it exits its watery home and takes to the skies, that eruption of water behind it the evidence of its position moments earlier - this adds a dynamic element to the image. The outstretched wings as they provide lift add to the energy of the photograph which captures a moment hard to detect with any clarity in real time. Many may argue that there isn't enough space left on the right side of the frame for the bird to 'fly into', but room needs to be given to the departing splash, and this balances the overall frame nicely. I also enjoy the bravery of using a high ISO to capture the action in low light. Modern cameras control noise so well these days that they open doors to photographs not possible a few years ago.

One of the qualities that makes a successful image is immediate impact - this is particularly important in competition photography. This image made me stop scrolling through all the entries straight away. The photographer captured a fantastic moment of action and treated the viewer to something that can't be seen by the naked eye as it happens so fast. Not only this, but they have skillfully exposed the image to create stark contrast between the birds and the dark background - this ensures that all the viewer's concentration is on the birds and their squabble. I love the balanced position and posture of each protagonist - those outstetched wing positions mirror each other with surgical precision. The feet locked together are vital to portray the close combat, but the icing on the cake is the toe of the left hand bird in the mouth of its opponent. Hats off to the photographer for ensuring the shutter speed was cranked all the way up to achieve a sharp shot. Even at 1/6400 sec there is still some motion blur in the wing tips - this demonstrates just how fast the shutter needs to be in circumstances like this. I would have cropped a little of the space on the left of the frame to perfectly balance the birds centre stage, but a small adjustment to a fabulous and hugely impactful image that I could look at for hours.

In most circumstances, the rear view of a bird in flight simply doesn't work, but there are always exceptions to every rule - this image demonstrates this perfectly. Simplicity can be so powerful in photography and, when you marry this with strong compositional elements such as symmetry, then you can create something very special. This image displays both simplicity and symmetry. The simplicity is the single subject, the secret to this is provided by the background, the muted colour of which ideally compliments the muted tones of the tern's plumage. Add to this the prefect symmetry of the bird's pose with its outstretched wings and fanned tail and you have all the ingredients needed. What really makes this photo complete is the tern's open beak poking below the central point of its fanned tail. The camera settings employed also speak of a skilled hand - viewers should take note of the fast shutter speed to ensure no motion blur has crept in, and the narrow aperture to increase the depth of field so we can enjoy all that sharp detail in the bird's plumage.

Peregine Falcons are all about power, speed and aggression - qualities that shine through in this image. Compositionally, this photograph works really well - the position and shape of the Peregrine is nicely balanced, the wings outstretched and reaching into opposing corners of the frame. The hapless prey almost mirrors its captor in shape balancing the composition nicely. The clean and uncluttered background ensures all the focus remains on the eyes of the Peregrine, its stare sinister in its intensity as it carries its meal. A great piece of behaviour to witness and it has been captured perfectly by the photographer.

This is another great example of an image that makes a judge stop scrolling through the thousands of entries and take a closer look. Judges want to see something different, and this photograph is all about the out-sized leaf this bird is carrying, and the clever composition the photographer has managed to capture. The vertical format is the perfect choice here as it accentuates the long leaf and its relative size to our featured bird in flight. I also really like the clear under-exposure here - a deliberate choice by the photographer. The exposure settings have enabled all the attention to be focused on the bird and the leaf by rendering most of the background dark and removing distractions. This is so important - simple is often best in photography. The light falling on the subject bird has sculpted its shape perfectly and given it a three-dimensional quality, making it stand out so well from that dark background. The leaf is perfectly exposed and the curl on the end balances the bird at the other end and gives the image life and energy. Amazing work.

Great Grey Owls are popular subjects to photograph and I have seen thousands of images of them over the years. This photograph is a masterclass in how to create a truly successful image - it has all the elements. The owl itself has been captured in an ideal pose, those outspread wings providing perfect symmetry, the dangling legs and tail critically framed against the darker background window. I particularly like the layer of out of focus snow at the bottom of the frame and the patch of white on the left edge - these help to frame the bird and balance the image. The falling snow adds that extra element, the long focal length lens compressing perspective and rendering most of the flakes as out of focus white balls, adorning the image like baubles on a Christmas tree. Owls are all about that facial disc and large, colourful eyes, as we see here. I would like to be able to see more of the bird's right eye, but this does not detract from what is a very accomplished and pleasing image.

Any bird photographer will appreciate just how delicious this image is. Let's talk about the background first. Note how the low angle the photographer has adopted has allowed all the background to be out of focus and created a uniform tone that is smooth and without distraction. Getting low to your subject is so important to isolate it and create an intimate connection with the viewer. The low angle has also allowed the tones of the background to be reflected in the water, completing the uniformity of the frame. The lighting on the subject is sublime, the sun clearly low enough in the sky, and likely difused through high cloud, to ensure that the whites are rendered soft and ghost-like, and not stark and harsh. The pose of the bird is so pleasing and delicate; those outstreched wings cloaking the head, the angle of the tail perfectly balancing the opposing head angle. Just look at the feet hovering across that subtle ripple line that breaks the frame in such a complimentary way. The bird reminds me of a ballerina on the tip of her toes, arms arching over her head in pirouette across the stage. Sumptuous.

Photographing birds in flight isn't always about filling the frame with your subject. Allowing more space in the shot and including the habitat can be extremely powerful, as is the case here. It is also a more difficult skill to master with consistency as there are more elements to consider and balance in a pleasing way around a dynamic subject. This image achieves this balance with real skill. Anyone who is familiar with seabirds will instantly recognise this as a Northern Fulmar with its unmistakable outline, gliding close to the surface of the ocean. What makes this image for me is that gorgeous shimmer of the sun on the semi-frozen surface of the sea and the way the light is catching the top of the bird's wings. Take some time to fully appreciate all the gorgeous textures and shapes that have been captured here, something only possible if you throw away convention and turn your camera into the light. The image is expertly composed, that central band of rougher water divides the frame so pleasingly, the bird perfectly placed to balance the composition. The monotone feel of the image accentuates the shapes, textures and tones on display. One to print and hang on the wall.

If I captioned this image, then I would call it 'The Conductor' as it looks rather as if the main character is conducting the orchestra of heads that you see making up the out of focus foreground. This is another of those images where symmetry is everything - the symmetry of the main subject bird is as perfect as you can expect and has been pleasingly centred in the frame to give the image a beautiful balance. The composition is simply spot on here, as is the point of focus and the settings used to capture the image - these all point to a very skilled hand. The image is obviously taken in dull light and the original file would benefit from being worked a little harder to make it pop a little more, but an amazing shot nonetheless.

This is another great example of well-judged exposure. To achieve results like this, the photographer really has to understand how the camera meters the available light and the compensation that will be required to render the shot in this high key fashion. This Whooper Swan works so well with this approach as its white plumage almost blends in with the surrounding snowy conditions. This has created a clean and simple image that relies soley on the strong composition. Critically, the focal point is directly on the bird's eyes as it stares toward the viewer creating an immediate connection. I really like the diagonal that the open wings are forming from bottom left to top right of the frame, but the stars of the show are those dark webbed feet that give the bird a gawky, comical look that is instantly endearing. A clean, simple and effective shot that has instant impact.

European Bee-eaters make great photographic subjects due their bright colours and lovely proportions. Most images I see of them involve prey items being devoured or passed between birds on unsightly perches, so it is nice to see a clean image such as this. There is lots to admire in this shot - the outstretched wings and fanned tail feathers show all the bird's beautiful markings and produce a pleasing shape in the frame. The bird's open beak provides a dynamic element. The background is buttery smooth and the tones compliment those of the bird without distracting the viewer's attention from the subject. I like the position of the bird in the frame - it has plenty of space to fly into on the left of the shot. Well executed, great composition and sympathetic post processing - great image.

Getting the exposure correct in these situations takes experience and the photographer is obviously well practiced in these conditions as the exposure is very well judged. I love the contrast between the whiteness of the snow and frost and the darker plumage of this Buzzard as it takes to the skies. The composition is strong, the pose of the bird very agreeable with its wings stretching to the ground and almost seeming to touch the frozen blades of grass as it passes over them. The little spray of snow beneath the bird's feet betrays its recent take-off, these particles perfectly frozen by the fast shutter speed employed. Less experienced photographers should take note of the shutter speed used here, the photographer balancing the exposure using a higher ISO to keep the shutter speed high. I would have placed the bird a touch further to the left of the frame, but this is a minor detail and personal preference.