Slow, slow, quick, quick, slow
I’ve tried long exposures to get blurred photographs of birds before. I love the technique if it works. Just look how epic this Arctic Tern photograph is, with perfectly sharp head and beak and beautifully blurred wings.
It’s one of my favourite shots.
Our group of six photographers at Lake Kerkini in Greece is trying the technique on the huge Pelicans on Lake Kerkini. Instead of exposing my sensor for 1/4000th of a second for a standard flight shot, I’m panning my camera as they fly and using only 1/15th of a second.
Personally I’d rather the eye was perfectly frozen and not motion-blurred, but I still love the effect. What do you think?
More from Lake Kerkini
The moment before it slapped me There's a younger Dalmatian Pelican on the prow of our small boat. I'm in prime position to photograph it. It's… read more
Pelican comedy breakfast The early light is hitting the mountains on the other side of Lake Kerkini and bathing them in a warm… read more
Heron over the snow-capped mountains There's something enchanting about birds being able to project their own shadow onto themselves. Here's a Black-Tailed Godwit with the… read more
Changing light The warmth of this image is a thrill. The difference in the mood of this image because of the changing… read more
Pelicans and mountains The blues and purples of this image are very restful, aren't they? So is being out on a boat on… read more
A still evening on the water It's that time of the evening, when the light becomes glorious as a few stray rays of the sun hit… read more
Symmetry There's something deeply appealing about the symmetry of these Dalmatian Pelicans. There's also something worrying about them begging for fish… read more
Wingbeats Dalmatian Pelicans are beautiful and getting more so as their mature breeding plumage approaches. Here's one having a flap showing… read more
A rockstar mop Dalmatian Pelicans have a rockstar hairstyle. It's bedhead on steroids. Just look at this unruly mess: The water at this… read more