How to shoot birds feeding at sunset?

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StevenAunan

StevenAunan

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Steven Aunan
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I took the Fuji GFX today instead of the R5m2, and found a bridge where hundreds of birds were feeding on bugs at sunset. I had a 58mm lens and was standing on the bridge. There must be a better way to shoot these birds. 70-200 f/2.8? Get there earlier? Shoot from the shore?

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That's a tough scenario, imo. I don't think that you could have done anything shooting towards the sunset. If you expose for the sunset, the birds and landscape are bound to be in silhouette. If you expose for the birds (or any motion), they'll likely be blurred and you'll lose the color on the horizon. If you were shooting a landscape without birds or other significant foreground motion (trees in wind), then you could use AEB.

If your priority is the birds, then I'd recommend getting there earlier, having the setting sun at your back, and letting the ISO run free. I'm also curious if anyone has a technique to recommend.
 
Turn it to Black and White and call it good. I had a difficult time photographing pelicans at the beach facing the setting sun and inversion. For the camera settings I chose FV mode 1/1000 to freeze the action, f/8 for depth of field (as they were were not very static) and my RF100-500mm for reach. That left ISO: Auto.

You might request a longer lens for Christmas.

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Thanks for the suggestions. I'll have to go back with a bigger lens and a few hours of spare time.
 

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