If you happen to be a lover of birds and are on the creative side, you have the makings of a brilliant bird photographer. Because of their ability to take flight, they are one of the most difficult creatures to capture on camera. As a bird photographer, either as a hobby or a career, you will always experience something new. With more than ten thousand types of birds, one can never grow bored of finding and photographing birds in their natural habitat. You must, however, be ready to be put to the test. It's not easy to get close enough for a great photograph without scaring birds away. To succeed in this sport, you will need endurance, determination and a real passion for birds.
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.
Even with ample patience and practice, your shot will be lacking without the right equipment. You'll save yourself loads of cash by getting a digital camera. Film is expensive, and many pictures must be taken to get it right. If you have to rely on film, you'll end up spending more than $300 in just a few hours. A digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera is really what you need. Even more specifically you need an advanced focusing system and a f/2.8 lens. When a bird flaps his wings, this type of camera will not only be able to focus automatically, it will respond with the necessary speed when you're ready to get the shot.
Now this is when you must be willing to get a little muddy. Bird photography requires you to get up close and personal to your subject which could very well mean crawling on your knees through bushes. Tracking skills will certainly come in handy now. Learn how to stay hidden while moving seamlessly with camera in hand. It will be helpful to know how close a specific type of bird will permit you to get before flying away. It's incredible how some birds will take flight when you're still more than a hundred feet away while other birds will have no problem until you're ten feet away. Save yourself a headache by doing the necessary research first. In all your bird photography endeavors, make sure you only grow in your respect for birds. Make sure you never compromise on the safety of a bird; a photograph is never worth putting a bird at risk.
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.
Even with ample patience and practice, your shot will be lacking without the right equipment. You'll save yourself loads of cash by getting a digital camera. Film is expensive, and many pictures must be taken to get it right. If you have to rely on film, you'll end up spending more than $300 in just a few hours. A digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera is really what you need. Even more specifically you need an advanced focusing system and a f/2.8 lens. When a bird flaps his wings, this type of camera will not only be able to focus automatically, it will respond with the necessary speed when you're ready to get the shot.
Now this is when you must be willing to get a little muddy. Bird photography requires you to get up close and personal to your subject which could very well mean crawling on your knees through bushes. Tracking skills will certainly come in handy now. Learn how to stay hidden while moving seamlessly with camera in hand. It will be helpful to know how close a specific type of bird will permit you to get before flying away. It's incredible how some birds will take flight when you're still more than a hundred feet away while other birds will have no problem until you're ten feet away. Save yourself a headache by doing the necessary research first. In all your bird photography endeavors, make sure you only grow in your respect for birds. Make sure you never compromise on the safety of a bird; a photograph is never worth putting a bird at risk.
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