How many Keepers when shooting fast birds/animals

I am curious as to how many keepers people are getting when they shoot fast moving animals such as passerines. These little guys are constantly moving and even with the use of ISO 400 films and some fill flash it is difficult to stop their motion especially when one shoots under overcast skies or during the "magic" hours. I don't mind being patient and using up film, but I am curious as to how many great "keepers" others are getting when they shoot these little birds. Bye "great" I mean an image you would be proud to display on your wall, submit for publication or enter into a contest.

Are you getting 10/100? 5/100? 1/100? More or less?

That's really a tough question, Anthony. So much depends on the actual subject. If I'm actively trying to get close to something, I'll usually be shooting as I work my way closer, and of course most of the distant shots end up being wasted. I do it, though, because I think it helps the critter get used to my being around, and for "insurance" and out of insecurity, I guess.

 

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If I succeed in getting reasonably close, I'll end up with may three-four rolls of shots ranging from good habitat-type shots to frame-filling, plus those I took from way too far out that I trashed. Those last three-four rolls will have lots of keepers, usually, maybe 1/3 or so depending on how much the bird's twitching its sneaky little head's back to the camera at the wrong time, etc.

 

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On the other hand, sometimes the animal will flee before I get anything I like, then the whole damned effort's a waste from the photographic point of view (fortunately, I enjoy watching critters, even fleeing ones, so it's not ENTIRELY a waste of effort).

 

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As I get better and more experienced, I have learned to calm down my twitchy trigger finger to some degree. The experience involves learning about a lot of different animals behaviors, though, and this knowledege is ongoing. Even within passerines, behavior varies greatly.

 

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If you're concerned about burning too much film, you might start critiquing your misses. Are they things you recognize as you shoot them? If so, you can weed them out. If not, well, they're probably just bad luck.

This one depends on more than gear. A lot for me is how I am feeling & if I am in tune with the birds as well as the gear I am using. On a good day it seems almost everything is in focus, just as I am in shooting. When I let the mind wander & worry about other things my concentration goes down the drain & I waste film. I know how to recognize when it just isn't working & don't shoot much then other than dead bang images. Kind of like everyone else who has good & bad days.

Learning to recognize when the 'creative curve' hits near the top has taken time, but by learning it & letting it dictate images & shooting, I get a lot more keepers than shooting just because I am there.

Dan - I think you made an excellent point that would force us to consider a more philosophical level to this discussion. How many of us are affected by how "in-tune" we are that day with our subjects? For me personally, I know there have been days where I was completely at peace in the middle of the woods capturing images of songbirds. Seems like they knew it as well and lowered their natural fear of man. Every time I fired the shutter, I felt I ended up with an excellent image. Times where all the technical aspects of composition, exposure and focus all seemed to fall into place naturally, and the artistic expression was flowing.

 

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Then there are days when I know there will be excellent morning light and I force my butt out of bed, but things don't feel right. There are times like this when I can't seem to get with it and every shot feels a bit awkward. Even though I am thinkinig about all the technical aspects of photography, I can't seem to get the other side moving. I know I overlook excellent subjects that I would find if I was more relaxed and in-tune with my surroundings. The result is obvious when my slides return.

 

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What do I do then? Go home? What if my livelyhood depends on getting those shots? Even if I get the shots, will they be worth keeping?

 

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Maybe I am just rambling, but I feel there is an aspect to nature and wildlife photography that goes beyond all the big gun lenses, film and 8fps shutter speeds.

On the effect our attitude, personal feelings and how 'in tune' we are have on the results. The days it just isn't there aren't the days I get my finest images. At times I have started off feeling ambivilant. Just there because I'm supposed to be a professional. Supposed to be able to produce images no matter what. I go out & shoot & sometimes I get past the lack of inspiration by sheer work, walking the hills, wading in the water, etc. A few times I have gotten excellent images from working through the ambivilance, forcing myself to look, to see and to set up the camera & work through the 'blahs'. Other times I just wasted film. So I take the chance anyhow & if nothing else I have a drive or walk that could pay off in images but at worst gets me out of the house. The best images tho still come from those special times when everything clicks. I still can't tell just when that will be, just as a quarterback can't tell what day he will have his best game. But I do know one thing(for me personally). The success rate for the natural history, wildlife & scenic images is much higher when I work alone than when someone else is along. Or, if someone else is there if we work separately, coming together for a visit or lunch or camp or whatever. Not so much a 'don't scare the animals with two of us' type of thing, but the concentration is so much better for me when it is uninterrupted. In biblical terms, 'Moses & Jesus went to the wilderness & mountains to communicate with their God'. I go out there alone & get the feeling at times that beause I make the effort, I get to see some of 'Gods' greatest displays & am lucky enough to be able to capture some of it on film. Even if I don't shoot, but just experience the feeling of those days, it is worth it. So yes, I go out even on the blah days. The high is worth the effort even if the images don't always pan out.