Adam Bird, Photographer RSS

After working as a professional in photography full time for over a decade, there are some things that I've learned. First, is that I'm always exploring. There are new things to photograph everywhere. With this blog I'm hoping to share what I know and learn from those around me.

To see more of my photography please visit www.adambirdphoto.com and feel free to ask questions or leave feedback, adam at adambirdphoto.com

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Dec
19th
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I don’t get to photograph swimming all that much, but when I do it is a challenge that can’t be denied.  Water in the air screws with autofocus, making it difficult to get continually sharp images of the swimmers.  Many pools tend to have nearly antique lighting, yellow to orange with age.  A photographer must also be wary and careful on the pool decking, at a crowded meet, overbalanced with a large telephoto lens it’s easy to fall or drop a camera. To adapt, I’ve learned how to predict swimmers breath strokes and time my autofocus activation appropriatly, giving me some pretty bad ass shots that I quite like, where I can show people the eyes and expressions on swimmers face as they’re immersed in competition.  Using a Canon 5D Mark2, which is not a common sports camera, gives me clean hi ISO files using a full frame sensor, taking full advantage of the 400mm f/2.8 that allows me to stay away from the water and the crowds to shoot safely. This just continues to prove that no matter what the situation, given enough time, or enough money (or hopefully both) you can walk away with a compelling image in any situation. [o]

I don’t get to photograph swimming all that much, but when I do it is a challenge that can’t be denied.  Water in the air screws with autofocus, making it difficult to get continually sharp images of the swimmers.  Many pools tend to have nearly antique lighting, yellow to orange with age.  A photographer must also be wary and careful on the pool decking, at a crowded meet, overbalanced with a large telephoto lens it’s easy to fall or drop a camera.

To adapt, I’ve learned how to predict swimmers breath strokes and time my autofocus activation appropriatly, giving me some pretty bad ass shots that I quite like, where I can show people the eyes and expressions on swimmers face as they’re immersed in competition.  Using a Canon 5D Mark2, which is not a common sports camera, gives me clean hi ISO files using a full frame sensor, taking full advantage of the 400mm f/2.8 that allows me to stay away from the water and the crowds to shoot safely.

This just continues to prove that no matter what the situation, given enough time, or enough money (or hopefully both) you can walk away with a compelling image in any situation. [o]

  1. maninthehat posted this