Threading the Needle

Using threading the needle techniques can be helpful when trying to photograph small birds hopping or taking flight in amongst branches. This articles shares some recent photographs of cardinals captured proximate to the boardwalk at Hendrie Valley.

NOTE: Click on images to enlarge.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-4000, cropped to 4287 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 6.8 metres

Many small birds like cardinals and sparrows will hide in amongst twigs and branches , especially during the winter, early spring and late fall. They often use twigs and branches as protection against raptors that are on the hunt. This behaviour can make it more difficult to capture images of these small birds taking flight or hopping.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-4000, cropped to 4314 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 6.8 metres

Each of us has our own style when it comes to our bird photography. Some folks prefer unobstructed views of birds in their photographs.  Even though the cardinal in the image above is partially obscured by twigs and branches I quite like it. This photograph is number nine in a Pro Capture H run of 15 consecutive handheld images. The opening photograph in this article in number one in the same Pro Capture H run.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400mm, full frame capture, f/6.3, 1/3200, ISO-1250, Pro Capture H, subject distance 7.4 metres

When small birds are positioned inside trees and shrubs it can be a challenge to acquire auto-focus on them. I always use a single, small auto-focus point as it gives me the best opportunity of threading the needle past twigs and branches. When capturing these types of images I never use continuous auto-focus.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400mm, full frame capture, f/6.3, 1/3200, ISO-1250, Pro Capture H, subject distance 7.4 metres

I use single auto-focus with the first frame locking focus and exposure for the balance of the run. Many mirrorless cameras have quite fast frame rates, especially when single auto-focus is used, rather than continuous auto-focus.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-3200, cropped to 4374 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 11.8 metres

When practicing ‘threading the needle’ I will often choose what appears to be an improbable image to capture, with a subject bird buried behind numerous twigs and branches.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-3200, cropped to 4376 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 11.8 metres

I’ll try to find whatever small portion of the bird on which to acquire focus. If this simply isn’t possible I will try to locate a twig or branch at the same focusing distance from my camera as is the subject bird.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-3200, cropped to 4376 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 11.8 metres

I always use Pro Capture H, utilizing my standard settings, i.e. Pre-Shutter Frames and Frame Limiter both set to 15, and using a frame rate of 60 frames-per-second. I love the challenge of attempting to photograph a bird taking flight when it is buried inside a bush or tree.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-2500, cropped to 3479 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 12 metres

It is quite common for small birds to nervously jump and hop between branches and twigs. These movements represent excellent opportunities to practice eye/hand coordination. Sometimes a subject bird will make an unexpected movement. For example, I was expecting the bird in the above photograph to thrust itself forward and launch into flight.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-2500, cropped to 3528 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 12 metres

Surprisingly it hopped almost straight up onto another branch. As photographers we often underestimate how potentially interesting these hopping motions can be.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-2500, cropped to 3706 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 10.2 metres

The photograph above is a good example of an interesting ‘hop shot’ with the cardinal’s wings extended and both of its feet released from their perch.

When threading the needle it is important to anticipate the direction and angle of the subject bird’s next movement. This enables a photographer to leave room in their composition for the bird to move through the frame. Good eye/hand coordination and appropriate shutter release timing are needed for a successful image run capture.

Let’s have a look at eight images from the same fifteen image Pro Capture H run. As the run begins you’ll notice that the cardinal is in a very difficult and cluttered location. As the run unfolds the bird moves into a more open area, resulting in some decent BIF captures towards the end of the run.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-1250, cropped to 3408 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 14.7 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-1250, cropped to 3089 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 14.7 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-1250, cropped to 3510 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 14.7 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-1250, cropped to 3354 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 14.7 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-1250, cropped to 3356 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 14.7 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-1250, cropped to 3715 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 14.7 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-1250, cropped to 3372 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 14.7 metres
OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-1250, cropped to 3983 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 14.7 metres

Threading the needle provides a number of benefits. These include improving eye/hand coordination and shutter release timing. Learning to better anticipate a subject bird’s direction and angle of movement. And, creating images with a subject bird immersed in its environment.

OM-D E-M1X + M.Zuiko 100-400mm f/5-6.3 IS @ 400mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-2500, cropped to 4070 pixels on the width, Pro Capture H, subject distance 10.2 metres

Threading the needle builds our handheld skills and enables us to more easily capture images of small birds in flight when they launch from unobstructed perches.

Technical Note

Photographs were captured handheld using camera gear as noted in the EXIF data. Images were produced from RAW files using my standard process. My standard Pro Capture H settings were used for all of the images in this article. Pre-Shutter Frames and Frame Limiter were both set to 15. A single auto-focus point was used, along with 60 frames-per-second. For those readers who are interested in calculating equivalent field-of-view, multiply focal lengths for Olympus M4/3 cameras by a factor of 2. This is the 1,261 article published on this website since its original inception in 2015.

How you can help keep this site advertising free

My intent is to keep this photography blog advertising free. If you enjoyed this article and/or my website and would like to support my work, you can purchase an eBook, or make a donation through PayPal. Both are most appreciated.

Our eBooks include Images of Ireland, New Zealand Tip-to-Tip, Nikon 1: The Little Camera That Could, Desert & Mountain Memories, Images of Greece, Nova Scotia Photography Tour, and a business leadership parable… Balancing Eggs.

If you click on the Donate button below you will find that there are three donation options: $7.50, $10.00 and $20.00. All are in Canadian funds. Plus, you can choose a different amount if you want. You can also increase your donation amount to help offset our costs associated with accepting your donation through PayPal. An ongoing, monthly contribution to support our work can also be done through the PayPal Donate button below.

You can make your donation through your PayPal account, or by using a number of credit card options.



Word of mouth is the best form of endorsement. If you like our website please let your friends and associates know about our work. Linking to this site or to specific articles is allowed with proper acknowledgement. Reproducing articles, or any of the images contained in them, on another website or in any social media posting is a Copyright infringement.

Article and images are Copyright 2023 Thomas Stirr.  All rights reserved. No use, duplication or adaptation of any kind is allowed without written consent. If you see this article reproduced anywhere else it is an unauthorized and illegal use. Posting comments on offending websites and calling out individuals who steal intellectual property is always appreciated!

5 thoughts on “Threading the Needle”

  1. You have touched on one of the more difficult aspects of bird photography. I agree with you, that as long the eye of the bird is in focus and the key features of the bird are visible, a small branch or two is not a serious hindrance and may even provide some aesthetic distance between the viewer and the subject.
    But if you’re using Pro Capture and S-AF don’t you lose focus as the bird moves? I’m not clear why you opt for S-AF. What is the advantage over C-AF?

    1. Hi Damian,

      As long as the bird moves parallel to the camera’s sensor it will remain in focus. This holds true whether the bird is taking flight or already is in flight. The amount of depth-of-field I have to work with will depend on the focal length I’m using, aperture, distance to subject, and distance of the subject to the background. When photographing small birds or insects taking flight I can usually get most of the run, if not all of it, in focus as long as I’m shooting a profile flight view.

      If the bird’s flight path is towards, or away from, the camera’s sensor then it will fly out of focus after a number of frames. So, there is some risk that a bird could fly out of focus when using S-AF. It really comes down to the frame rate used and the distance that a bird can travel during a Pro Capture H image run, and the angle of its flight path.

      I always use a frame rate of 60 frames-per-second when using Pro Capture H. I have my Pre-Shutter Frames and Frame Limiter both set to 15. This gives me 1/4 second of response time from when the desired bird action occurs to when I fully depress my shutter release to end my Pro Capture H run and commit the 15 images in temporary memory to my SD card. If I was to use C-AF and shoot in Pro Capture L my frame rate would be reduced to a maximum of 18 frames-per-second with my E-M1X, rather than 60 when using S-AF. This would reduce the number of small, incremental body and wing movements captured in a Pro Capture run by 70%. I’d much rather risk a bird flying out of focus and get a higher number of frames showing incremental movements. In many cases a bird doesn’t travel far enough in 1/4 second to fly out of focus… unless it is flying directly at the camera. I have never liked this shooting angle and would typically not bother even trying to capture this type of flight path.

      Folks who own the OM-1 can shoot at 50 frames-per-second in C-AF as long as they are using a compatible lens. My M.Zuiko 100-400mm f/5.6.3 IS is not capable of 50 fps in C-AF with an OM-1. It is limited to 25 fps when using C-AF.

      Hope this has clarified things…

      Tom

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *