By Carl Drotsky
Those who love animals and have a knack for art are likely to be brilliant at bird photography if they're up to the challenge. Because birds are so easily scared into flying away, they are anything but easy to capture on film. While most hobbies and careers eventually become boring, each year spent in bird photography only increases one's curiosity. This is largely due to the fact that there are more than 10,000 species of birds throughout the world - each unique in appearance and lifestyle. A peaked interest in birdlife is a great start in bird photography, but it isn't enough. You'll need strong stamina and creativity to get great photographs.
Besides photography know-how, it's important for you to study the behavior patterns of birds - especially the species you're planning to photograph. You want to know what the bird is going to think and do before he does. If you can anticipate his actions, you'll be a step ahead of him when trying to capture him on film. Otherwise you'll just end up with an empty picture of where the bird was a second before. Study their eating habits, sleeping patterns and migratory paths to be able to find them quickly. Once you know where to look for these birds, spend some time watching them to get used to their mannerisms and the speed in which they move. This will prepare your finger to be quick enough to get the shot better than you think.
To get a good shot of anything, you need decent lighting. For birds specifically, back lighting or side lighting works nicely. Afternoon light also usually works well for a shot. Once you know the lighting is right, you need to learn how to capture moments when the bird is actually doing something. Action shots are so much more fascinating than a static shot of a bird simply perched on a branch. Show birds capturing food, feeding their young, singing or flying. Show how they interact with one another. By capturing these moments under decent lighting, you will be able to immediately enhance the quality of your photos.
It would be encouraging to believe that talent is everything, but unfortunately you also need a first class camera. Good quality cameras can be quite pricey but are worth the investment in the end, as they can turn a good photograph into an excellent one. DSLR, also known as digital single-lens reflex, cameras are completely necessary when photographing something as challenging as a bird. Because birds move their wings with such speed, an advanced focusing system which can move to at least nine points is what you need. Make sure the lens is at least an f/2.8; otherwise your photographs will be hazy.
Now here is where you may need to get dirty. Bird photography requires you to get close to birds who can be some of the most skittish creatures around. Be ready to get low to the ground, and learn how to move through the bushes silently. Do your research to know how close a bird species will allow you to get before flying away. Some birds will allow you within ten feet while others will flee when you're still a hundred feet away. You may win some distance by putting out some food to tempt a bird. In your quest of excellent bird photographs, remember to never compromise on the bird's wellbeing or the security of his habitat for the sake of getting the shot you want.
Besides photography know-how, it's important for you to study the behavior patterns of birds - especially the species you're planning to photograph. You want to know what the bird is going to think and do before he does. If you can anticipate his actions, you'll be a step ahead of him when trying to capture him on film. Otherwise you'll just end up with an empty picture of where the bird was a second before. Study their eating habits, sleeping patterns and migratory paths to be able to find them quickly. Once you know where to look for these birds, spend some time watching them to get used to their mannerisms and the speed in which they move. This will prepare your finger to be quick enough to get the shot better than you think.
To get a good shot of anything, you need decent lighting. For birds specifically, back lighting or side lighting works nicely. Afternoon light also usually works well for a shot. Once you know the lighting is right, you need to learn how to capture moments when the bird is actually doing something. Action shots are so much more fascinating than a static shot of a bird simply perched on a branch. Show birds capturing food, feeding their young, singing or flying. Show how they interact with one another. By capturing these moments under decent lighting, you will be able to immediately enhance the quality of your photos.
It would be encouraging to believe that talent is everything, but unfortunately you also need a first class camera. Good quality cameras can be quite pricey but are worth the investment in the end, as they can turn a good photograph into an excellent one. DSLR, also known as digital single-lens reflex, cameras are completely necessary when photographing something as challenging as a bird. Because birds move their wings with such speed, an advanced focusing system which can move to at least nine points is what you need. Make sure the lens is at least an f/2.8; otherwise your photographs will be hazy.
Now here is where you may need to get dirty. Bird photography requires you to get close to birds who can be some of the most skittish creatures around. Be ready to get low to the ground, and learn how to move through the bushes silently. Do your research to know how close a bird species will allow you to get before flying away. Some birds will allow you within ten feet while others will flee when you're still a hundred feet away. You may win some distance by putting out some food to tempt a bird. In your quest of excellent bird photographs, remember to never compromise on the bird's wellbeing or the security of his habitat for the sake of getting the shot you want.
About the Author:
Learn more about outdoor photography. Stop by Echo 4x4's site where you can find out all about bird photography.