My Bird Images Sucked!
Photography has always been a passion of mine, but recently I have been focused on capturing images of Birds. Bird photography is a lot different than landscape photography and I soon realized that capturing those perfect shots required more than just a good camera and a landscape photographers approach to photography. Early on, I went out to the local park and started photographing birds with great disappointment. Each time I would return, I would review my images and think about throwing in the towel. Determined to elevate my skills, I embarked on a journey to improve my bird photography. Through this journey, I discovered techniques and strategies that have allowed me to rapidly improve the quality of my images. Here are a few of my thoughts.
Research and Preparation: It turns out that bird photography requires skill beyond just the technical aspects of photography. I vividly remember my first trip out to the local bird sanctuary thinking to my self “Just wait until National Geographic gets a hold of these images!” (kidding). A very short time into my visit, I quickly realized that you actually have to know a few things about the birds and the habitat you are photographing in order to capture a successful image. Not only did have no idea what species I was photographing at any given time, I had no idea what common behaviors they display so that I could even remotely be prepared to capture a successful bird in flight shot. I was overwhelmed, frustrated and a bit depressed in that I actually had no idea what I was doing and my images just plain sucked. Understanding bird behavior and habitats is a very important part of becoming a successful bird photographer. Predicting their movements so you are prepared for that perfect capture is critical. I am no bird expert, but I have begun to recognize certain behaviors which is now allowing me to to prepare in advance for that upcoming shot. Each week, I spend a significant amount of time researching the technical aspects of bird photography, species recognition, photography locations, bird migration patterns, and typical habitats. This research has helped me to become more confident in the field.
Gear Matters: Anyone that tells you that gear does not matter in bird photography is lying to you. My early trips to the bird preserve were full of frustration because I had the wrong gear for the job. I was using a Canon 5Dsr at the time, which is a fantastic landscape camera, but lacked the necessary technical aspects for bird photography, such as a decent frame rate or auto focus system. My lens selection was also lacking in that I only had one older zoom lens, a Canon 100-400L, which was far too slow of a lens, didn’t have the reach I was looking for in my images and wasn’t the sharpest of lenses. Researching this topic, I immediately caught what us photographers call GAS or Gear Acquisition Syndrome. I traded in all of my old DSLR gear and jumped head first into the Canon mirrorless ecosystem. I invested in a Canon R5 and R7, both with high shutter frame rates and impressive animal eye tracking auto focus. Although the cameras are great, the biggest game changing purchase for me was a Canon 600mm f/4L prime telephoto lens. This lens is a wildlife photographers dream. It is an amazingly sharp lens that allows you to capture wide aperture, shallow depth of field shots from a distance while isolating the subject. Knowing that I had to capture images at the eye level of my subjects, I also invested in a ground pod and gimbal head to support the large 600mm lens and take low angle shots. These enhancements provided me with the necessary tools to immediately capture improved images while ensuring the birds remained undisturbed in their natural environment.
Mastering Patience and Observation: Bird photography demands an immense amount of patience and practice. Many times I have been met with frustration, because the shot in my head never happened. Each outing is unique and I continue to work on my patience and hone my skills. I am learning to anticipate the behavior of different species, and put together compelling compositions while using a pleasing background in amazing light. By carefully studying their movements and habits, I continue to gain insight into their flight patterns, feeding routines, and preferred perching spots. Patience is a bird photographer’s greatest ally and my biggest struggle. Waiting for the perfect moment to capture that perfect image is often the most frustrating part for me. So each and every morning, I work hard on my patience and enjoy the experience, whether I get the image or not.
Understanding Light and Composition: Developing an eye for capturing compelling compositions and making optimal use of light is transforming my images. I experiment with various lighting conditions, with a focus on blue hour and the golden hour, when the soft, warm light accentuates the birds' features and creates a magical atmosphere. I now get up very early to capture that best, magical light and have learned to pay more attention to the overall composition and background, ensuring it complements the bird and doesn’t distract from the main subject.
I am learning that it is not just about capturing beautiful images but also about understanding and appreciating my subjects. My efforts to research, prepare, and invest in suitable equipment is paying off. By mastering light and composition, I am attempting to create visually striking photographs that convey the awe-inspiring beauty of birds. As I continue to grow and learn in this field, I am filled with gratitude for the moments spent in nature and the ability to capture them through my lens. Oh and by the way, it turns out that bird photography is very addicting. I am excited to get up each new morning and experience something unique in nature.
