Amazing Bird Photography Tips for Beginners
When it comes to bird photography, it can be difficult to discern which part of the photograph or photography process will help your photo stand out and resonate with people. Is it the camera, the lens, or the bird?
If you have an ideal camera, the perfect lens, and a close encounter with a majestic bald eagle, it might seem like conditions are optimal for an amazing photo.
However, what if you’re unaware of what makes a good bird photograph? Will a random burst of photos guarantee you the best shot possible? Sure, you might luck into something amazing, but going into any photography session with a better understanding of the fundamentals behind good bird photography and ornithology will help you achieve more consistent, higher-quality results.
Today, we’ll go over some of the core principles of bird photography to help you get better photos every single time you’re behind the lens.
No Need for Expensive Lenses
It can be a little too easy to get wrapped up in the notion that you need an amazing lens to capture the kind of bird photography that will stand out from the crowd. And, while it is certainly easier to photograph skittish birds when you’ve got a long lens, the lens itself isn’t what makes a bird photograph great.
There are plenty of other factors that can dictate the quality of a bird photograph, such as:
- Quality and direction of the light
- Composition
- Knowledge about the bird and its activities
- Background
- Knowledge about the gear you are using
- Proper settings
- Proper exposure
- Your position
- 4 Ps (Patience, Perseverance, Practice, and Passion)
Composition and Light
Composition in bird photography helps you convey your photograph’s message or story in a tasteful way. Following a few basic compositional rules can make all the difference in the world.
Use the rule of thirds to place your bird off-center, color contrast can be utilized by shooting with a complementary background — or, shoot with a clear background. Lastly, try to fill the frame with your bird.
Along with composition, light is essential in all photography, and this is doubly important when it comes to bird photography.
Late afternoon and early morning both provide some of the best light for bird photography. Not only are birds active during these times, but the light is also extremely soft.
Soft light is ideal because it does not cast harsh shadows on birds, it brings out the glow of their plumage, and some of the light catches in the bird’s eye.
Bring Your Audience into the Bird’s World
Bird photography and ornithology are all about getting a sense of the world from the perspective of a bird. To do that, you need to get down to their level.
Try to photograph birds from their eye level — except for birds in flight, of course.
When you opt to ‘go low and slow’ it will pay serious dividends in your photography. With eye contact, you’re able to establish more of an intimate connection with the bird.
Feel free to explore the site to see more examples of high-quality bird photography, or additional blog posts offering tips on how to get the most out of your time in the world of ornithology.
