News

Bird Photography

Jun 17, 2011

Tips for our feathered friends

Photo Tips/Tips for Our Feathered Friends
Words by Danielle Lancaster
Images by Danielle Lancaster and Sheryn Ellis

Our fascinating feathered friends must be one of the most engaging, rewarding and at times challenging of wildlife to capture in a photograph.

Here’s a few tips to help you capture stunning images of our feathered friends:

Know Your Subject and Set Realistic Goals

No good looking for Galahs on the beach, but did you know you can find Pelicans in the outback. Research your subject and realise the perfect image will take patience, time and some luck of being in the right place at the right time.

The Right Gear
Most serious bird photographers these days use pro digital SLR cameras and super fast telephoto lenses such as a 600mm f/4 or 400mm f2.8 often fitted with tele-convertors to increase the focal length and get that bird in closer. In fact, with most cameras today you can achieve good bird images.

Long lenses do need a steady tripod though the new stabilised lenses are making hand holding surprisingly steadier – just don’t forget to turn the stabilisation off when you are on a tripod.

Point of Focus
Images of birds work best when the eyes are sharply focused. If the bird is slightly angled make sure the eye closest to the camera is your point of focus. I use single-shot spot AF to focus on the near eye for perched birds and continuous spot AF for flying birds.

Use Continuous Shooting

Especially if the bird is in flight!

Shutter Speed
Use a fast shutter speed to capture a bird in flight – those wings beat very, very fast.

Try Panning
Track the bird and blur the background and or foreground. This looks spectacular in a forest or with a busy background.

Don’t Forget Silhouettes
They can look stunning!

What About Flash?
Built in flashes have a limited range and as they are frontal light decrease texture details – those feathers have heaps of texture! But then they can also be very good for filling in shadows and adding a catch light to a bird’s eye.

Time of day
Birds are mostly active feeding early in the morning and late afternoon.

Respect

Please don’t approach birds so closely you stress them. This is particularly important at nesting sites where there are eggs or young chicks. Remember you could be showing a predator where the nest is.

Danielle Lancaster is a professional photographer who loves sharing her passion with others. Her company Bluedog Photography shoots a range of imagery for corporate and private clients and runs Bluedog Photography Courses, Retreats and Tours
Contact: (07) 5545 4777, www.blue-dog.com.au

Images:

King Parrott Know your subject, where and when to find them. Image by Danielle Lancaster

Eagle Use your lighting creatively. Image by Sheryn Ellis

Kite Birds in flight require a fast shutter speed to freeze their action. Image by Danielle Lancaster

Owl Always make sure the eye closest to camera is in focus. Image by Danielle Lancaster