Capturing the dancing crane shots are not as easy as you may think. There are a lot of things to consider when shooting them and also a few variables that may affect your image.
First, you obviously need to get them in the frame! Secondly, you need some separation between the two dancing cranes and the rest of the flock— not always as easy as it looks. Sometimes they dance right in the middle of the flock.
You also have to look for merging lines (see example images below). The photo directly below shows the snow line through the middle of the crane’s bodies. I always look to avoid that line by moving my position, if possible and it isn’t always possible.
However, if that line is softer (see example image #2) or gradient, it won’t grab your eye as much as when it is a strong bold line.. In the example image #2, the background is starting to become a slight issue as that dominant tree could present a problem if it lands right between the cranes or through one of their heads. So much to consider when composing. And of course that is very hard to do when they are jumping and dancing. Also, as much as I love the young cranes, the elegant look of the adults is something special!
The last image (#3), I took image #1 into Photoshop and softened the snow line so that you could see what it would look like if the line was softened a bit. I did a quick job as it is just meant to be an example.
Image 1 - Merging line right through the cranes.
Image 2- young cranes dancing, merging line is not an issue but the background becomes a little distracting. This is an older image.
Image #3
Next, you’ll need enough shutter speed to capture the action and enough DOF for two large birds, depending on how close you are working and their position. You’ll also need to stay on them and follow their movements, that’s not always easy. I usually pick one bird to follow when they start to dance. I like having a zoom lens like a 200-600mm or a 100-500mm medium telephoto lens.
If it’s snowing, the snow can grab your focus and make it even more difficult. Another issue is your exposure. If you are too dark your blacks are blocked and your whites look dingy. If you’re too light, your whites are toast. I trust the combination of my highlight alerts and histogram in the field.
I also like it when the cranes are close together and a connection between them is visible. My favorite pose is when they are bowing to each other or when their necks are intertwined.
If you are really lucky, everything will come together, and your dancing crane Image will make your heart sing. But the absolute most important thing is to simply enjoy the dance…