Some might say that bird photography is one of the most difficult kinds of photography to execute. Birds are small, they move fast and they are completely out of your control. Add in the complexities of photographing water, and capturing the perfect moment becomes even more complex. This week we feature a group of bird photographers who have used their Sony Alpha systems to photograph their feathery subjects making a splash. With proper focusing, a fast shutter speed and enough patience, you can do it too. Learn more about how to make a great bird photo in one of Sony Artisan Matt Kloskowski's upcoming Alpha Workshops. Get the details and register HERE. 

It's Follow Friday and we're featuring a group of bird photographers who use their Sony Alpha systems to capture avian subjects as they flirt with water. 

Matt Kloskowski – @mattkloskowski

Matt Kloskowski is a photographer, educator and Sony Artisan Of Imagery. He’s a great one to follow on Instagram, as his account features stunning bird, landscape and nature photography. He also creates educational content that simplifies the process of taking photos, and as mentioned above he’s leading several Alpha Workshops this month and next on making great bird photos. Learn more and sign up now at alphauniverse.com/alpha-workshops. He took the splashdown shot below using his Sony Alpha 7R IV and Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G lens at 1/3200-sec, f/6.3, ISO 800.

Steve Jessmore – @sjessmo

Steve Jessmore has worked as a photojournalist for over 30 years and is now a freelance photographer who enjoys nature and wildlife. He’s had the opportunity to capture more of it throughout the pandemic, and he tells us all about it in his Alpha Profile Spotlight. Using his quick combination of the Sony Alpha 9 II and Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G, he captures incredible images of birds in their natural habitat (like in his Behind The Shot Article of million dollar flying cardinal image.) In the shot below, he captures the speedy getaway of a Canada goose as its wing hits the surface of the water.

Martha Hidalgo – @hidalgowildlife.photography

Martha Hidalgo is a wildlife photographer based in the Midwest. Photographing wildlife gives her the opportunity to be closest to what inspires her – nature and animals. She was the winner of an Alpha Female+ Grant and used it to capture crisp and stunning images of the wildlife in her area. On her Instagram account you’ll find action shots of coyotes, birds, bears, and more. In this shot she photographs an osprey mid-air coming up from the water with its meal, an incredible moment to capture. Give her a follow to see what wildlife she comes across next.

James Overesch – @james.overesch

James Overesch is a photographer and outdoorsman based in Wisconsin. He has one great bird photo after another on his Instagram account. He captured the shot below with his Sony Alpha 7R IV and the Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G lens and says, “My favorite thing about photographing ducks has been anticipating the moment right before they take off of the water’s surface. Freezing the duck and the individual splash formations from every step of their foot before they fly.... there's just something calming about it that I enjoy. Here's something a little different. Hope you like it.” We certainly do! Give him a follow for more.

Markus – @impressions4all

Markus is a photographer based in Germany. He’s been focusing on wildlife photography since last year, and on his Instagram account you’ll find all he’s captured using a combination of cameras – the Sony Alpha 7 III, Alpha 7R III and Alpha 7R IV. He has photographed many different types of birds against different natural backdrops, including water. He took this shot of an osprey on the hunt with his Sony Alpha 7R III and Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G lens.