Observation
Bird photography is like hunting, and good hunters are good scouts. Birds are creatures of habit that like to hunt, mate and roost in the same places. A good photographer will scout for those places by carefully observing her subjects, sometimes day after day, to better understand where the birds can be counted upon to be when the time comes to shoot. Observation entails studying more than the birds. As a photographer, the observer is also looking at backgrounds, directions and light.
Position
Observation leads to the selection of a position for the photographer. In some cases, it may even involve the use of a blind to be closer to the flying birds without alarming them. If you can get near the same height of the bird while it is flying, you will generally get a better composition. Backgrounds should not obscure but highlight the bird; that is why sky, water and distant landscapes are better than close vegetation as a rule. The light will ideally be to the rear of the shooting position, the exception being a spectacular sunset where the sun doesn̵7;t glare into the shot. Flying birds usually look best in the composition if they are caught flying across the field of view as opposed to toward or away from the lens.
Gear
The four variables are always lens, aperture, shutter speed and film. Lenses need to be 300mm or larger, so you can get close enough to fill the composition with your subject. Most bird photographers suggest an f-8 aperture. For sunny daylight shots, the film needs to be ASA 100. For dusky shots, especially black and white, an ASA 400 is fast enough to gather the light, though the product will be grainy. Faster shutter speeds will freeze the bird better, but too fast a shutter will sacrifice depth of color. A good starting speed is 1/1000. Shutter speed selection depends on two things: the lateral speed of the bird and the ability of the photographer to pan.
Method
Panning is the most important technique for shooting flying birds. Panning is moving the lens to follow the bird in flight, and taking the shot while in motion. Most bird photographers agree that the best flying shots are the ones with the greatest resolution and detail. This involves not only following the bird, but ensuring the subject remains in focus. If the bird is being shot as it prepares to land or hovers, and you have done a good job of scouting to ensure the bird does this habitually in the same place, you can use a tripod and use an auto-drive to shoot a rapid series.
Practice
Wherever you are, there is some kind of bird that is extremely common and not particularly shy about people. It might be starlings or seagulls, raptors or robins, virioles or vultures; but these birds afford the photographer an opportunity to practice, practice and practice. That is the only way to get really good at panning and focusing on the move.