Four Tips To Capture Amazing Bird Photos
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To capture great bird shots, you don’t need to be a professional photographer. It may seem daunting, but knowing your surroundings and equipment, being prepared and confident are the best things to help you make the most out of your birding experience. These are four photography tips that will help you prepare for your next birding trip.
1. Be familiar with your equipment. To capture stunning photos, you don’t need to spend thousands or carry around a lot of expensive equipment. The basics can do just as well. To start, most nature photographers use a DSLR (digital single lens reflex) camera. A telephoto lens is a great way to zoom in if you are looking for something more. Start with a 300mm or 400mm lens and then work your way up. A tripod is another useful tool. However, if you find it too heavy, rest your camera on your legs or on something solid nearby. As you get more proficient at birding, you will be able to purchase a variety of additional equipment.
2. Learn your settings. Although it may seem complicated, understanding your camera settings (shutter speed and aperture, ISO, and ISO) will make shooting photos much more enjoyable in the long-term. Clear and crisp photos of birds will be captured with a fast shutter speed, particularly when they are moving. Low f-stops between f/1.4 to f/2.8 create blurred backgrounds that bring the subject into focus. However, if you’re photographing birds against a sky background, or multiple birds, a higher stop might be more effective. You can start with an ISO setting of 400, and adjust it according to the lighting and other settings.
3. Be quiet and blend in. If you try to scare the bird away, it’s difficult to get the perfect shot. The usual birding rules for photographing are followed, with a few additional tips. Blinds can be used to camouflage yourself and your camera so that you don’t startle birds. Blinds can be replaced by a swath or gauze of fabric. Avoid wearing brightly colored clothes. Be close enough to the bird but not too close. Your subject should feel comfortable enough to have enough space. Talking and breathing are important when birdwatching. However, the noise of the shutter clicking can scare away birds. To give the bird time to adjust to the noise, take your first photo from a distance and then move closer.
4. Make it different. While you can make your birding photos look identical, there are many ways to spice them up. Avoid having a background that distracts from your subject. Simple changes in angles or stepping to the left or right can change the composition of your photo. Follow the rule of Thirds. This is where you see two lines that divide your image horizontally and vertically. Place the subject at the intersections of the two lines. A subject that is not in the center of the lines will be more interesting than one that is always at the center. However, you are free to play with the rules. A bird moving, whether it is flying or walking, adds excitement to a photograph.
