Taking Your Bird Photography to the Next Level
Over the past few months I have been focusing exclusively on my bird photography skills. This genre of photography has pushed my photography abilities the limit. During this time, I have identified 6 basic principles I now follow in order to continue improving my skills and to improve the quality of my images.
1. Know your subject: Perhaps the most challenging skill of all is understanding the behavior and habits of the birds you are photographing. This is crucial to capturing great shots. This knowledge will help you anticipate their movements and get the shot you want. Understanding what a particular bird does, just before flight will make those in bird in flight captures much easier.
2. Use the right equipment: Invest in quality equipment that is suited for bird photography, such as a long telephoto lens and a tripod. This will help you get sharp, detailed shots and reduce camera shake. While a camera with a decent autofocus system is important, A sharp quality telephoto lens, preferably with a low aperture, is a critical investment and will have a larger impact on your images than purchasing a new camera.
3. Get the right lighting: Lighting is critical in bird photography. Try to shoot early in the morning or late in the evening when the light is soft and warm. Avoid shooting in harsh midday sunlight, which can create harsh shadows and highlights.
4. Composition: Consider the composition of your shots carefully. Try to capture the bird in its natural habitat and use the rule of thirds to create a balanced and interesting shot. Be patient and wait for the bird to move into a position that will create a visually pleasing image. The background, or what I like to refer to as the “Sweet Spot” is a critical aspect of composition. Avoid busy, distracting backgrounds and look for backgrounds that are an appropriate distance from the subject in order great separation from the subject and a nice bokeh (background blur) and provide a nice pleasing color in your image.
5. Depth of field: Understanding and using the proper depth of field in bird photography can greatly enhance the quality of your shots.
Depth of field refers to the area of your image that is in sharp focus. In bird photography, it's important to have the bird in sharp focus while keeping the background blurred or out of focus. This is because a blurred background can help to isolate the bird and draw the viewer's attention to it. To achieve this effect, use a wide aperture (such as f/4 or wider) and focus on the bird's eye. This will create a shallow depth of field and blur the background, giving your image a more professional look.
6. Shoot using Low angles: Low angles are also important in bird photography because they can create a more dramatic and interesting image. By getting down to eye level with the bird, you can create a more intimate connection with the viewer and give the bird a more imposing presence in the frame. Low angles also help to eliminate distracting elements in the background and foreground, allowing the bird to stand out more clearly. To achieve a low angle, consider getting down on your knees or using a tripod that allows you to shoot from a low position.
Understanding how to use these 6 techniques effectively, will elevate your bird photography to the next level.
