What shutter speed would be best to photograph doves?

[dhess]

Just wondering what would be the best shutter speed to use to capture doves being released.

I basically want the birds reasonably sharp but have their wing tips blur a little bit.

I was planning on using shutter priority mode and 1/50 second speed?

What do you guys think?

[MattC]

dhess

That sounds like a starting point, maybe a little low - they are fast moving critters. I can only suggest working your way upwards from there to find your sweet spot. No doves in my part of the world - plenty of hawks though which present there own unique set of problems... perhaps that is where all of the doves got too??

Cheers

Matt

[sheepie]

I'd think that anything less than 1/100 would be too slow, and result in a lot of dove-like blurs in the pic, but not much dove. 1/100 would still (I think) give you a bit of blur in the wings.

That's where I'd start - if possible have a go at a few before the critical moment so you're sure! Maybe even start at 1/500 and work down (?).

It also depends on how close-in you are to the movement - the closer in, the higher the required shutter speed.

[Matt. K]

12 gauge.

[Killakoala]

I'll see your 1/500th and raise you 1/1000 MattK might have it right though.

Fact is that for a fast moving subject as doves would be, you need a very fast shutter speed unless you are quick enough to be able to pan with it, and i reckon doves might be just a bit too quick to do this easily, not impossible but very difficult. A fast shutter speed is mandatory i reckon.

[dhess]

Thankyou for the replies.

Unfortunately had to take the photographs at a wedding before anyone had replied.

I wrongly assumed that 1/50 second would be fast enough. Pics came out like crap. Oh well next time.

They sure are quick little critters.