Eagles are very beautiful birds, which is why they have been used in art and culture for centuries.
They can soar above you, making them a very photogenic subject. However, photographing eagles can be tricky, as they are agile and agile subjects are hard to capture.
Here are some tips to help you get the best shots:
For eagle photography, try using a small telephoto lens, such as a 50mm. The telephoto setting works well if you want to show off the bird against the sky, but it doesn’t give you enough light for close-up shots. For this, use a wide-angle lens, such as a 16mm. In low light situations, set your camera to its lowest ISO setting, usually 100, and shoot at f/11. This will help reduce noise and increase the quality of your pictures. A tripod is also useful for taking eagle pictures, particularly in challenging lighting conditions.
If you live in an area with regular eagle activity, you will be able to see them more easily and they will become familiar to you. When you see one, take some time to admire the bird’s beauty. You may be surprised by how fast it can fly and how big it looks when it lands. Don’t move too close or the eagle will feel threatened. If you are in any doubt about whether it is safe to approach, leave it alone. It could be a young bird that hasn’t yet learned its survival skills and is still learning.
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Look for a clear line of sight
If you want to take pictures of eagles soaring over the landscape, look for a place where you can see their path clearly. Eagles often fly high, but this can mean that the shot will be blocked by trees and other buildings.
Get down low
Most eagles hunt and roost on cliffs, so to get a good view of one you should climb down a cliff or make your own eagle’s nest on the ground.
Avoid taking photos of eagles in flight
It is better to get down low and stay still rather than trying to take a picture in flight. If you get a photo that is blurred because you moved, it will be difficult to tell whether the eagle is a young one or an adult.
Use slow shutter speeds
If you want to take a picture of eagles flying over you, you need to use a slow shutter speed. Otherwise the image will be blurred because the eagle is moving. If the eagle flies straight towards the lens, you need a shutter speed of 1/10th or less. If the bird flies away from you, you can use a faster shutter speed (1/500 or 1/1000..
Use flash for extra light
To take pictures of eagles in the sky, you need to use flash. This will help with lighting, but eagles are very sensitive to light and it may make them fly off.
Try to use a wide-angle lens
It’s best to use a wide-angle lens when you are taking photos of eagles, as this will create a more interesting composition. A telephoto lens will distort the image.
Take photos from above
If you want to take a photo of an eagle soaring over the landscape, get up high so that you can see its path clearly. You may need to get onto a ladder or go onto a building, but you should still be able to get down safely.
Use zoom
You can use a long telephoto lens to capture eagles flying away from you. Zoom in on the bird’s body and it will fill your frame.
Use a tripod
Use a tripod to steady yourself and the camera. This will ensure that you don’t accidentally move and blur the image.
Try using a remote shutter release
This will help you to take better pictures of eagles because you won’t have to worry about moving when pressing the shutter button.
Don’t forget to enjoy the views
Once you have taken some great photos, make sure you relax and enjoy your time outside.
Are you interested in taking up bird photography? You might want to read these tips first, to ensure that you have the right kit.
Get your camera out.
You may not have much experience of taking photographs of birds but it doesn’t matter. The main thing is to capture a picture of the moment, as it happens. To do this, use a camera which allows you to change settings for different light conditions. The ideal camera for eagle photography would be one which has the ability to take several shots at different exposures quickly and automatically. It should also be able to focus on the subject at long range, with no distortion. You can buy good quality cameras at a reasonable price, and it is worth spending some time trying them out.
Take plenty of practice photographs.
Most birds are quite active, often flying away from the camera at the first sign of disturbance. Practice is important, so take some photos of birds in their natural environment. You may want to photograph different species of birds, such as owls, eagles, gulls or ducks. If you have a local wildlife group, you may be able to find out about local bird species to photograph. Once you feel you have a handle on things, try taking photos in a variety of situations, from sunny days to cloudy, and at different times of day, such as dawn and dusk.
Consider buying an app.
You may prefer to take your pictures by hand, but for quick, accurate images it can be better to use a camera app. There are many apps available which can help you, for example the app called ‘Eaglet’, which can take pictures of eagles in their nest, without disturbing the birds or their chicks. You can then choose to share the picture with friends on social media platforms.
Get a telephoto lens.
As a general rule, you want a lens with a focal length of between 100mm and 200mm. This will allow you to capture the bird clearly in the foreground and the background, as well as giving you a wider angle, so that you don’t have to crop off parts of the picture. If possible, get a telephoto lens with image stabilisation. The quality of a bird’s picture will be better if it is taken from a safe distance, say at least 100m away, but you can try taking photos from further away to see how far you can get before the picture becomes blurry.
Check your settings.
Some cameras will allow you to change the aperture, shutter speed and other settings to suit different lighting conditions. The settings you choose should be appropriate for your camera. You may find it easier to use a camera app to select the settings you want, rather than fiddling around with them on your own camera.
Check the weather forecast.
You might want to take photographs in inclement weather or when there is a chance of rain. Take waterproofing precautions if you are planning on taking pictures in wet weather. For example, you could consider wearing gloves or using a waterproof case for your camera. Make sure that you have sufficient memory space on your device to store all the images you take.
Get the right kit.
If you are taking pictures of eagles, you will need some special equipment, including a camera tripod and monopod. It’s important to have enough time to make a good photograph. If you are taking shots from a moving vehicle, you will need to be able to focus on your subject quickly and easily.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I hope you found my tips useful. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact us!
Thank you for reading.