This short article shares a selection of 12 consecutive images of a Blue Jay taking flight. The photographs were captured handheld using an Olympus OM-D E-M1X with the Pro Capture H mode.
NOTE: Click on images to enlarge.
In our first frame we can see our subject Blue Jay doing a pre-flight crouch as is common with small birds.
The Blue Jay’s feet are just leaving its perch as it launches forward and begins to open its wings.
The Blue Jay is now in mid-air with its digits still open and wings in an upstroke.
A nice action capture with the Blue Jay just beginning its downstroke and its feet clearly visible.
The Blue Jay’s wings are now partially through its first downstroke.
A nice view of the Blue Jay’s wings as they almost complete their downstroke motion.
The Blue Jay’s first downstroke is now fully completed.
The Blue Jay is now bringing its wings back up in the early stages of its second upstroke.
The second wing upstroke continues.
The Blue Jay’s second upstroke has almost reached its apex.
The Blue Jay’s second downstroke now begins.
The Blue Jay is half way through its second downstroke just before it begins to leave the frame.
The 12 consecutive frames of a Blue Jay taking flight that you just viewed were all captured in a total of 1/5 of a second using the Pro Capture H mode of my Olympus OM-D E-M1X. As an avid bird photographer, Pro Capture H is one of my ‘must have’ photographic options.
Technical Note:
Photographs were captured handheld using camera gear as noted in the EXIF data. All images were produced from RAW files using my standard process. Photographs were cropped to approximately 4430 pixels on the width, then resized for web use.
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These shots along with other bird photos you have sent are just amazing. It is so interesting to see these birds movements in such a short period of time. Just a short time ago I would not have believed this is possible. And of course, you have mastered the M-1X camera for the use. Thanks much.
Thanks for the positive comment Joel… I’m glad you’ve been enjoying the Pro Capture images!
The Pro Capture H mode is such a unique and powerful tool to use for bird photography that it is often difficult to explain to folks. That’s the main reason why I have been showing a good selection of consecutive images in many articles. It’s one thing to have the Pro Capture H mode explained, and a completely different experience to actually see what it can do.
Tom