One of the other essential shots is a flying puffin, even better if they have a mouthful of sand eels. Longer exposure times can show the rain in the background and raindrops on feathers can add to a portrait. The weather on the islands can be temperamental but rain can be used to our advantage to give atmosphere to an image. ![]() I found that having a list in my mind helped to stop focusing on one thing and going home with a disappointing selection of images. With limited time with the puffins, there are a number of shots that need to be in mind when visiting their islands. How to Photograph Puffins – Composition Ideas This little cheat table should help you get started. Sometimes it is hard to know where to start with settings, especially if the light is changing rapidly. Starting points for puffin photography exposures If you are using a Canon camera then autofocus needs to be set to AI Servo. If you are using a Nikon camera or Sony Mirrorless camera you need to set autofocus mode AF-C. Setting the aperture to between f/2.8 and f/5.6 should ensure an out-of-focus background, this can be enhanced by making sure your puffin and the background are a long distance from each other.Īs well as exposure settings you will need to set the focusing mode. If you want the background to be blurry then a larger aperture is needed. I would prefer to adjust the aperture size ( f-number) before the ISO. I usually set mine to around ISO 320 and only adjust it if needed. Either way, you need to think about settings before getting started.Īt all times the ISO needs to be kept low although on cloudy days this can be hard. If you are photographing puffin behaviour then a longer shutter speed is acceptable although keeping the shutter speed short will reduce movement in your photograph. If you want to capture puffins in flight you will need to increase the shutter speed up to at least 1/2000 of a second to eliminate the movement in their wings. To photograph puffins you will need to first decide what you are going to photograph. This will give you gorgeous warm light with more puffins than earlier in the day. If you have limited time to spend with the puffins then aim to arrive mid-afternoon and photograph through until sunset. Spending a whole day with the puffins will allow you to photograph them as the light changes. They tend to head off to fish early in the morning but by late afternoon the colony is getting busy again. Most of the puffin colonies in the UK have puffins coming and going all day. In July the pufflings emerge from their burrows and by August the colony is silent as all the adults and young have headed offshore for the winter months. During the day they will come and go so it is worth spending time within the colony watching and waiting for individuals to return to their burrows. Early on they are nest-building and courting.īy June they are sitting on eggs and feeding pufflings so the adult puffins will be busy arriving with bills stuffed full of sand eels. They start to arrive in late spring, usually in May.Īs the season progresses they will show different behaviours. Puffins are seasonal visitors to the UK coastline. Islands such as the Isle of May, Orkney, Shetland or St Kilda also host puffins, but getting to these islands is an adventure in its own right.īritain When is the best time to photograph puffins? Other options are the Farne Islands in Northumberland or Bempton Cliffs in Yorkshire with fewer limits on visitor numbers and easy access. It also gives you time alone with the puffins and resident wildlife after the day visitors have left. Staying on the island is an option and this gives you magical light. Only 250 visitors are allowed to land on the island each day and tickets have to be bought in advance. READ MORE: WHERE TO FIND PUFFINS IN THE UK This island is just off the coast of West Wales and is beautiful even without the presence of puffins. My favourite place is Skomer Island, where a short boat ride in the right conditions can take you to this isolated island. In the UK puffins are found in a number of places. ![]() ![]() Read more HERE Where to find puffins in the U.K. ![]() As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I may earn a commission on any purchases you make at no cost to you. This article contains links to products and services that I think you will find useful.
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