Dolphin photography tips...

[tscouple]

Hi
Has anyone tried photographing dolphins?

I'm going on a trip to a place that has a lot of dolphins, and I want to get the very best photos ever... =)

Has anyone got any tips to share.. I'm using a pretty basic camera, Nikon D3000 wiht just the kit lens...

Thanks in advance ..

[indykaleu]

Are you going to a place that has dolphin shows or out in the wild? If you are going to a show, try to watch the show before photographing the dolphins. This should help you anticipate what the dolphins will do and where they will be and hopefully allow you to focus in the correct location.

I would recommend setting your camera to shutter speed priority and avoid going for a tightly composed shot until you are happy with your results. I've been minimally lucky shooting dolphins so far, but I'm getting better. It just takes a lot of practice...

Oh, one other tip. If your camera has an AI servo mode, that may help you keep the dolphins in focus as you are shooting them. HTH

[jml79]

Here is a shot I took a while ago with my old P&S Canon A610.



Keep you shutter speed high and lots of light. Oh and go to seaworld. I have a ton of great shots from there.

[andrewdt]

Originally Posted by tscouple

I'm using a pretty basic camera, Nikon D3000 wiht just the kit lens...

Assume that you cannot get as close as you would like (especially if in the sea) and get yourself a telelens - a cheap 70-300 would do the trick and in good light they are fine lenses (or go 18-200mm to allow you a good spectrum without changing lenses often).

Definitely good tips on AI Servo so that you can keep firing and if they are moving towards or away from you the focus is right all the time, and TV mode good as you would want a shutter speed no less than 1/200 - try for even faster if possible with the light.

Oh and obvious but worth a mention - keep your popup flash where it belongs - closed. It will not help you but will irritate them.

[J R WEEMS]

Only time I have done this so far was in Ireland. We were on a boat in Dingle Bay and 'FUNGIE" would swim close in. I used a 50MM 1.8, and a Nikon F2A. Most came out pretty good. As with most wildlife you need to think about what you are doing and try to second guess the action. I would love to get another chance to do it with my D 700. -- Evenso, it was quite a challenge. The boat was moving, AND viberating as well as the subject was on the move. GOOD LUCK!!

[jml79]

Oh man...everyone is trying to speak canon in here. Seeing that the op has nikon gear maybe full terms would help more. Only canon calls shutter priority TV and continuous auto focus AI servo.