Figure: Fantail (likely genus Rhipidura) in mid-flight. This small, agile bird is recognized by its widely fanned tail, which it uses to maneuver while catching insects. Captured with Canon R5 Mark II and EF 85mm f/1.8 lens. Image protected with watermark and copyright © Shutter to Light.
After dinner, I grabbed my Canon R5 Mark II with the EF 85mm f/1.8 lens for a quick walk. My goal was simple: test the camera’s pre-shooting feature. While scanning the neighborhood, I spotted a small bird perched on a TV antenna. I half-pressed the shutter, waiting for the moment—and suddenly, the bird leapt into the air.
I captured the instant perfectly: wings spread wide, legs dangling, caught mid-flight. It was a fleeting moment, barely a fraction of a second, but thanks to the pre-shooting buffer, the camera saved the shot even before I fully pressed the shutter.
Photography sometimes gifts you frames that feel like metaphors—this one spoke to me about leaps, transitions, and the quiet tension between stillness and motion.
Technical Details
- Location: Fremont, CA
- Camera & Lens: Canon R5 Mark II + EF 85mm f/1.8
- Processing: Cropped and in-camera upscaled to ~5MP, minor adjustments only
- Light: Evening natural light with a subtle warm rim glow highlighting the feathers
Reflection & Next Steps
I love the expressive gesture—the outstretched wing, the dangling foot, the subtle warmth of the rim light. The negative space around the bird adds a minimalist, almost meditative quality. I’m curious to revisit the RAW file to preserve more detail and maybe try a black-and-white silhouette version.
Personal Insight:
Chasing these fleeting moments reminds me why I love photography—it’s about being present and ready for the unexpected. If you’re using pre-shooting mode, remember to keep your camera steady and your finger ready—you never know when the perfect moment will arrive.
What Do You See in This Moment?
Have you captured a “leap of light” moment? Share your story in the comments!
If you appreciate the energy and grace of birds in motion, check out Gliding Over Gold.