Best Way to Take a Picture of Flying Bird

I was wondering how we can take a picture of a flying bird without any blur in the picture. I have tried many ways and just wanted to share it will all and wish if anyone could add something new in it.
I am taking example of Canon A720 IS digital camera. It does support Image stabilization feature so it makes it bit easy to take a picture.
I have activated Image stabilization panning mode & instead of searching for the bird in LCD I put the camera on the way to the bird. As soon I have seen the bird on LCD I pressed the button. Still found it difficult to capture it.

The key is going to be shutter speed. The IS will help prevent camera shake from entering into the scenario, but subject movement is not addressed with IS. If you go to a fast enough shutter speed depending on the speed of your subject, you can freeze the action.

With your camera, you can do this either by going into Aperture Priorty (Av) or Shutter Priority (Tv). If you open the aperture all the way up, and use an ISO in the neighborhood of 400-800 you should be fine. If you find a shutter speed that works well for freezing the zction, you can go to Tv and set that shutter speed and the aperture will adjust (within reason) to accomidate your shutter speed. Be careful that you don't fall outside of the aperture range with this option. You might find yourself playing with the ISO to counteract that.

The Instructions you have mentioned are very helpful

Post edited by: Abeer, at: 2008/06/09 05:40

I have uploaded some of the pictures on my Album related to flying birds.thanks alot for the prompt reply and the very simple and precise answer. Thanks Alot.

Try to lead the bird in your view finder too.. Like shooting skeet. Your reaction and the movement will sinc better.. Make sense? The bird will be where you want it when you manage to react if you get a bit ahead of it. Anticipate the shot.

also with panning practice you will get it.

good luck!

wow, urban that is such a beautiful photo