Photography Tips – Photographing Birds

By Bill Lockhart

When I became serious about nature photography subject matter was an issue.  A close friend introduced me to bird photography.  Photographing birds is an awesome challenge.  Just getting close enough to capture details is difficult.  As well, stopping actions of birds requires that one develop good eye hand coordination.

Good equipment is essential to photographing birds.  Two fundamentals are important.  First, a camera that can capture five to 10 frames per second.  Second, a telephoto lens that gets one close enough to the subject and can focus quickly.

Stanley Goes Fishing

My first year or so was frustrating.  I began with a point and shoot camera digital camera.  I could not afford shooting film, it was too expensive to process.  So, I waited until the technology evolved.

Oyster Catcher Morning

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So, let me focus, if you will, on some fundamental aspects of doing bird photography.

1.  Getting close.

Birds have wondrous details but to capture the details one must get close enough to capture the most fine ones.  How?  Observe behavior.  It is fundamental.  One must know what an animal’s territorial imperative is.  That is, at what distance can one get to an animal before it flees?  I learned from an early age, having grown up in a Florida swamp, that all animals have a defined distance that determines whether it will stay put or run away.  I also learned that each animal has certain behaviors that may allow one to get closer.  For example, if a bird is feeding as opposed to hunting, one can get closer.  The bottom line is to never approach a bird directly, let the bird come to you, or move parallel with the bird until its behavior means that it is focused on something other than you.

Gannet Love

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In the photograph above, the two birds were occupied in courting behavior.  As such, my presence was unnoticed by the birds and I was able to get very close to them without disturbing the action.

Some of the world’s best photographers use blinds.  And, they often use heavy tripods and specially designed equipment for mounting heavy and very long telephoto lenses.  Others, myself included, often shoot from vehicle windows.  Vehicles are good blinds.  But, all in all, the real challenge of bird photography is to shoot hand held.

2.  Work on eye/hand coordination.

This came natural to me, having extensive experience shooting rifles from an early age that grew through the years of my military service.  Yes, rifle marksmanship can aid in good photography skills.  When asked how one might develop such skills, I have always responded by suggesting that one practice photographing a basketball thrown by a friend.  I know it sounds crazy, but it works.  Back yard practice following the basketball with your camera and lens will help develop your eye/hand coordination.  Such is fundamental to stopping a bird in flight.

Headed Home

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In the photograph above I was able to stop the action of a Puffin in flight because I both observed the behavior of thousands of these wonderful creatures and learned to anticipate what they might do next.  As well, I was panning with the bird.  Course, I must admit, that for every shot of a Puffin in flight that I caught in focus and sharp I have 100 shots that were out of focus.  Puffins are swift fliers and they are erratic in movement.  It ain’t easy.

3. Be prepared for the unexpected.

Birds are active creatures.  As is all wildlife.  Action will occur, it is simply a matter of time.  If one is prepared with the proper exposure and correct camera settings, who knows what you might capture?

The Toss

In the example above, I was fortunate to observe the Anhinga swimming in a lake so I kept my camera pointed in the area where the bird was feeding.  Anhinga’s spear fish with their beaks then surface and often shake the fish loose by moving their heads upwards, thus tossing the fish in the air.  It is a behavior that I have observed hundreds of times.  I was fortunate to have been prepared for this shot.

Anticipate what might occur around you.  As in this example of a Swallow on a railing that I photographed in Alaska.  I was looking for a Moose, I found a Tree Swallow.

Tree Swallow on Railing

4.  Think about composition.

Composition is fundamental to photography.  An ordinary shot can become something quite unique through creative composition.

Ibis World

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Likewise, depth of field can produce interesting results.  This shot would not have been successful if I had used a different aperture.

5.  Capture the Critical Moment.

Photographs of birds are much more interesting if one is able to capture the critical moment, as in this example of an Oyster Catcher with water droplets.

Droplets in Time

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Here, observation of the bird’s behavior paid off.  I knew that the bird would raise its head and that water droplets would fall.  All it took was repeated shots each time the bird raised its head to get this one shot with the droplets falling.

6. Go where the birds are.

I love to travel and I often go to specific places to photograph specific things.  If one wants to photograph Bald Eagles, Alaska is the place to go.

Ad Lucem

If one wants to photograph exotic birds, a trip to the Galapagos Islands is a great place to visit.

Red-billed Tropic Bird

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Or, if you want something really special, try your backyard.  You never know what bird might stop by to say hello.

Backyard Hawk

In my view, bird photography is a great way to improve your overall photographic skills.  Like any endeavor, thinking about what you are doing is critical.

And too, sometimes we just get lucky.

Happy shooting.

Christmas Hawk

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