Mastering Trap Focus for Sharp Bird Photography

^{Note: This tip comes from Canon’s article - How to Photograph Wild Birds}

It’s very difficult to focus on a bird that is flying right in front of (close by) you. 

No matter how good your AF system is, sharp focus is almost impossible, especially if you’re using a super-telephoto lens.

It’s not so difficult though if you photograph birds in flight from a certain distance.

The secret is to prepare for the shot with a trap focus.

Setting up trap focus beforehand will make it easy to confirm the bird in the viewfinder and enable you to then quickly focus.

What is Trap Focus?

Trap focus, also known as focus trapping, involves pre-focusing on a specific point where you anticipate the bird will fly.

When the bird enters this predetermined focus zone, the camera automatically (if your camera has a trap focus function in the menu settings) takes the shot, ensuring sharpness. If your camera does not have a trap focus setting you will need to fire off the shutter manually as the bird crosses the predetermined trap window.

Steps to Use Trap Focus

1. Set Up Your Camera: Switch your camera to manual focus mode.

2. Pre-Focus on a Specific Area: Choose a point in the bird's flight path and focus on that spot manually.

3. Activate Trap Focus: Many cameras have a trap focus feature. Enable it through your camera's settings menu.

4. Wait for the Bird: Position yourself and your camera so that the bird will fly into the pre-focused area.

5. Shoot Automatically: Once the bird enters the focus zone, the camera will automatically capture the image, ensuring it is sharp.

Tips for Success

• Know Your Subject: Understanding the typical flight patterns of birds can help you anticipate where to set your focus.

• Use a Tripod: A tripod can help keep your camera steady and focused on the right spot.

• Practice Patience: It may take some time and practice to get the perfect shot, but the results can be well worth the effort.

Using trap focus can greatly increase your chances of capturing stunning, sharp images of birds in flight. Give it a try on your next bird-watching adventure!

Want more? If you want to learn more about bird photography, and capture beautiful shots of your own, we recommend downloading and printing out Photzy’s 10 Bird Photography Cheat Sheets (Special bonus available now!)