I’ve been taking bird photography for more than a decade, and in that time I’ve learned a lot of tricks that help me capture the best shots. To help you up your game, here are my top 10 tips for photographing birds:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Bird photography requires patience and skill |
| Understanding basic camera settings is essential for good bird photography |
| Having the right gear, such as a telephoto lens, can make a big difference |
| Lighting and composition are critical elements of bird photography |
| Attracting birds to your backyard or finding the right location can improve your chances of getting good shots |
| Editing your photos can help bring out the best in your shots |
Shoot At Dawn And Dusk
When you do get the opportunity to photograph birds, make sure that you are ready. The best times to shoot are dawn and dusk.
These times of day have the best light, which makes it easier to capture your subjects in action. Remember that this is their most active time of day as well, so they’re more likely to be moving around or doing something interesting for your photos!
Want to attract more birds to your garden? Check out our 13 surprising tips to transform your backyard into a bird-friendly garden and enjoy watching feathered friends visit your home all year round.
Use Manual Mode
When it comes to bird photography, using manual mode is the way to go. Manual mode allows you to control every aspect of your camera and make adjustments as needed. You can set up your camera for manual mode by following these steps:
- Set your ISO between 400 and 800 depending on the light conditions
- Use a shutter speed of 1/250th or faster
- Set your aperture at f/8 (Aperture controls how much light enters through the lens)
Using Manual Mode in Bird Photography
| Brand | Steps |
|---|---|
| Canon | 1. Set the mode dial to M |
| 2. Use the shutter speed dial to adjust the shutter speed | |
| 3. Use the aperture control dial to adjust the aperture | |
| 4. Use the ISO control to adjust the sensitivity of the camera | |
| Nikon | 1. Set the mode dial to M |
| 2. Use the command dial to adjust the shutter speed | |
| 3. Use the subcommand dial to adjust the aperture | |
| 4. Use the ISO button to adjust the sensitivity of the camera |
Using manual mode is important in bird photography because it gives you full control over your camera, allowing you to make adjustments quickly to get the perfect shot. These steps for setting up manual mode provide an easy-to-follow guide for Canon and Nikon users.
Choose A Large Aperture For Shallow Depth Of Field
You can create a shallow depth of field by using a large aperture. If you’re not sure what that means, it’s simply the size of the opening through which light enters your lens. The larger the aperture, the shallower your depth of field will be and vice versa.
Most photographers would agree that using a large aperture is an effective way to create interesting images because it helps isolate your subject from its surroundings and makes visual impact stronger (not to mention potential photo editing easier).
One example of this technique is getting close enough for only your bird to fill up much of your frame with out-of-focus background details — even though those backgrounds may have been very pretty!
Elevate your bird photography skills and capture stunning bird photos every time with our top 13 techniques guide. From composition to camera settings, you’ll learn everything you need to take your bird photography to the next level.
Switch To Continuous Shooting Mode
It’s important to be able to capture your subject in the best possible light. If you’re working on a tripod, or have time to set up your camera before shooting, make sure that you have enough light in the scene. If there’s not a lot of natural light available, try using artificial lights for better results.
You can also use burst mode: press and hold down the shutter button continuously until you get a shot of your subject. This ensures that you’ll capture multiple images at once and give yourself more options for editing later on!
Increase Your Iso To Improve Shutter Speed
You may have heard the term “ISO” before, but what does it mean? It’s a setting on your camera that allows you to adjust how sensitive your image sensor is to light.
The higher the ISO number (or sensitivity), the more sensitive it is to light and therefore the faster shutter speed can be used (less light required). However, increasing ISO also increases noise in images.
Are you looking for the best bird feeding spots in your area? Our comprehensive guide on finding the best bird feeding spots provides all the information you need to attract a variety of bird species to your bird feeders.
Keep Your Shutter Speed Fast
Keeping your shutter speed fast is important because it allows you to capture more light in a shorter amount of time. The longer your shutter is open, the more likely you are to get blurry photos and camera shake.
In general, I recommend keeping your shutter speed at 1/500th or faster if possible—especially when hand-holding a camera at slower speeds.
Look For The Best Light
The best time of day to photograph birds is early morning or late afternoon. The light is soft, and there’s less competition from other photographers. If you’re shooting handheld, try using a tripod to avoid camera shake (especially if your subject is in flight).
A shutter speed of 1/1000th or faster will capture the motion of birds in flight. Also, keep an eye on aperture settings; shooting with a wide aperture (such as f/1.4) will create a shallow depth of field that helps isolate your subject from its background.
If you want to become a pro at bird photography, you need to know the basics. Check out our guide on becoming a pro at bird photography with these simple tips and tricks to learn about the essential elements of bird photography, such as lighting and composition.
Consider Using A Teleconverter To Increase Focal Length
If you don’t have a lens that offers the focal length you need, consider using a teleconverter. A teleconverter is an additional piece of glass that screws onto the end of your existing lens. This will increase your focal length by a factor of 1.4x or 2x, depending on which one you choose to use.
The downside is that these are more expensive than new lenses and they reduce image quality because they introduce more glass elements into what’s already a complex system.
However, if all else fails and you need just a little bit more reach than is available from your current equipment, then this is probably worth considering as an option for getting closer to wildlife especially birds in flight!
Experiment With Backlighting And Lens Flare
Use a polarizing filter. This can help you to control the amount of light that reaches your camera’s sensor, and will make it easier to photograph in bright environments.
Use a flash. Many cameras have built-in flashes that can be helpful when photographing birds in flight or at close range; however, if you’re going to use one, be sure not to blind them or get too close when using it.
Try using a reflector instead of a flash—it might just be easier!
Have you ever wondered how birds migrate? Our guide on the science behind bird migration explains the phenomenon of bird migration and sheds light on some of the fascinating discoveries about how birds navigate during their long journeys.
Use A Tripod
A good bird photographer will always use a tripod. Even if you’re shooting handheld, bringing one along is an easy way to ensure that your shots are sharp and clear. It’s also helpful for reducing camera shake in low light situations.
A tripod frees up your hands so that you can concentrate on the composition of your shot and focus on getting the best moment possible.
If it’s windy out, having both hands free allows you to quickly adjust the position of your equipment if something gets blown away by the wind or knocked over by a gusty breeze!
Having both hands free also means that you can have one hand holding onto the shutter button while using the other hand to make subtle adjustments to exposure settings or white balance settings without having to touch any buttons on your camera body itself – which would mean taking away from being able to keep perfecting what’s already in front of us!
Conclusion
This is just a short overview of the most important tips for taking better bird photos. For more in-depth information, check out our blog post on the topic. We hope that you’ve found this content helpful and inspiring!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources on bird photography:
10 Tips for Photographing Birds: This article provides a detailed guide to photographing birds in different environments, with tips on gear, technique, and composition.
10 Tips for Successful Bird Photography: This article offers practical advice for taking great bird photos, with tips on the right settings, location, and timing.
Bird Photography Basics: How to Take Great Photos of Birds: This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about bird photography, from gear and settings to composition and editing.
FAQs
What are some tips for taking good photos of birds?
Some tips for taking good photos of birds include using a fast shutter speed, shooting at eye level, and paying attention to the lighting and background.
What type of camera is best for bird photography?
A camera with a fast autofocus system and a high frame rate is ideal for bird photography. A DSLR or mirrorless camera with a telephoto lens is recommended.
How do I attract birds to my backyard for photography?
Attracting birds to your backyard for photography can be done by offering food, water, and shelter. Bird feeders, birdbaths, and birdhouses can all help attract birds to your yard.
What time of day is best for bird photography?
The best time of day for bird photography is early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the light is soft and warm. Birds are also more active during these times of day.
How do I edit my bird photos?
To edit your bird photos, start by adjusting the exposure, contrast, and color balance. You can also crop your photos to improve the composition and use noise reduction to reduce any digital noise.
Hello! I’m Hellen James, and I’m a birdwatcher and birder. I have a personal interest in bird behavior and classifications and have been following the latest research on the topic for years.