Bird photography can be an incredibly rewarding hobby, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. Getting sharp, well-composed photos of birds in flight or at rest takes patience, skill, and the right equipment. If you’re looking to take your avian photography to the next level, read on for tips on how to get better bird photos.
Use a telephoto lens
The most important piece of gear for bird photography is a good telephoto lens. You need a lens that allows you to zoom in closely on your subject from afar. An ideal bird photography lens is 400mm or greater, either a prime or zoom. This will give you enough working distance to avoid frightening birds away while getting frame-filling shots. A lens with a wide maximum aperture around f/4 or f/2.8 is also key for blurring backgrounds and letting more light in for faster shutter speeds.
Shoot in Shutter Priority mode
The best camera mode for capturing birds in flight is Shutter Priority (Tv or S). Select a fast shutter speed like 1/1000s or faster to freeze the action. The camera will automatically pick the aperture and ISO needed. Use Continuous Shooting drive mode to machine gun multiple frames per second so you can capture the perfect moment. Pan with the bird to track it across the frame. A fast burst rate and large buffer are a big plus for action.
Master panning techniques
Panning with a flying bird while tracking it in the viewfinder takes practice, but is an essential bird photography skill. Use a tripod or monopod for support. As the bird approaches, lock your focus on it. When it’s in range, pan smoothly by rotating your whole body while keeping the lens pointed at the bird. Press the shutter button and continue the motion. Follow through until the bird leaves the frame. This takes timing and coordination, but results in sharp wings and blurred streaks that convey motion.
Get eye level with your subjects
One key to great bird portraits is getting at or below eye level. When shooting roosting birds like owls, ducks, and perching songbirds, position yourself so your camera is even with their eyes rather than shooting down on them. This gives a pleasing perspective that connects the viewer with the animal. Side profiles of birds can also make striking photos. Some ways to get low angles include using a beanbag on the ground, propping your lens on a low tripod, or even laying down in position.
Draw in with bait
While controversial and illegal in some areas, baiting birds with food can be an effective way to attract them in close for photography. Some common baits used are bird seed, meal worms, cracked corn, fruit, and even fish like minnows. Place the bait on a feeding table or platform 15-20 feet from your hide or blind. Be patient and wait for birds to find the free meal. Fast lenses and big telephotos will help isolate your subject against blurred backgrounds. Always follow local laws and regulations regarding baiting.
Use blinds and camouflage
To get close naturally without bait requires hiding yourself from your subjects. Photographing from an enclosed blind lets you conceal yourself completely while birds carry on around you. If you don’t have a blind, wear camouflage clothing and use a telephoto lens at a distance. Kneeling behind foliage as cover also works. The key is blending into your environment so you don’t startle birds and can capture their natural behaviors up close.
Perfect your exposure
Getting a proper exposure is critical for vivid, detailed bird photos. Because feathers are so reflective, it’s easy to blow out highlights. In bright sun, seek open shade or photograph with the sun at your back. Cloudy days work great too. Spot metering on the bird rather than the overall scene prevents underexposure. If strongly backlit, use Exposure Compensation or manual mode to increase exposure by 1-2 stops. Silhouettes are also a dramatic option in backlit conditions.
Master your autofocus
Today’s DSLRs have sophisticated autofocus systems, but they’re not foolproof. Use the center point for initial focus on the bird, then recompose. Select AI Servo AF mode for moving subjects to keep focusing. However, autofocus can still be thrown off by obstructing branches, so override it with manual focus when needed. Prefocusing on a perch and waiting for the bird to land can be an effective technique too. For large, stationary birds at a distance, flip the lens to manual and focus carefully until the eyes are razor sharp.
Get the eyes in focus
Sharp focus on a bird’s eyes is what makes a truly great bird portrait. The eyes are the viewer’s entry point into connecting with the animal. Make sure to precisely focus on the eyes, even if other parts end up slightly soft. Using a wide aperture around f/4 helps isolate the eyes in focus against a blurred body and background. Good light is also critical to see the catchlights and color in the eyes. Frame the bird with room to spare so the eyes aren’t crowded near the edges.
Shoot at sunrise and sunset
The warm, glowing light at sunrise and sunset is ideal for bird photography. Low, raking sunlight creates a flattering sidelight on your avian subjects. Long shadows and rich color abound. The low light requires using wider apertures and higher ISOs, but gives more atmospheric shots. Birds are most active at dawn and dusk, making it easier to capture interesting behaviors. Having the sun behind you also prevents glare and underexposure problems.
Learn bird behavior
The more you understand bird behavior and biology, the better you can anticipate great photo opportunities. Recognizing territorial displays, mating rituals, feeding patterns, and nesting behaviors lets you position yourself to capture peak action. Study your target species to know their habits. Arrive early to favorite nesting and feeding spots to catch birds in the best warm light. Visit repeatedly to observe patterns over time. Knowledge of your subjects pays off with better bird photographs.
Use natural perches
Capturing birds perched in their natural habitats makes for far more interesting images than portraits on empty branches. Position yourself where colorful flowers, vines, reeds, grasses or other eye-catching perches are in the background. Frame the bird against complementary elements that add context. Sometimes just a hint of habitat is all you need. Using wide apertures for shallow depth of field helps throw the background softly out of focus.
Photograph common birds too
You don’t have to travel to exotic locations to photograph amazing birds. Even common backyard birds offer wonderful photo opportunities if you know how to make them shine. Improve your craft by practicing on local doves, sparrows, robins, cardinals and other frequently seen species. Work on capturing striking portraits, behaviors, flight shots, and environmental perspectives right where you live. Developing skills on common birds will prepare you for rarer species.
Join photography birding groups
Connecting with other local birding photographers is a great way to discover new places and expand your knowledge. Join groups on social media or sites like Meetup. Go on group photo walks at birding hotspots. You’ll pick up new techniques while enjoying the camaraderie of like-minded enthusiasts. It’s also invaluable to have people to provide sightings alerts and recent reports on bird locations and activity.
Use flash carefully
Adding flash can help illuminate birds on overcast days or in shade, but it must be used judiciously. On-camera flash typically appears too harsh and flatters birds poorly. Off-camera flash positioned away from the lens axis creates more pleasing side lighting. Avoid startling birds with the flash. Never directly flash nesting, roosting, or sleeping birds as it can stress them. Flash is best limited to occasional fill-in illumination in optimal conditions.
Shoot lots of frames
With birds in flight or flocking, the action is often over in a split second. Use Continuous High burst mode to machine gun fire off frames and improve your chances of capturing peak moments. Memory cards are cheap, so don’t worry about wasting shots. You can quickly sort through hundreds of images later. Waiting a few extra moments while your finger presses the shutter can mean the difference between getting the shot or missing it entirely.
Use creative compositions
When photographing stationary or perched birds, look for ways to create more imaginative, artistic compositions. Shoot from perspectives like lying on the ground with a low angle. Frame birds through natural frames like branches or leaves. Capture abstract close-ups of colors and textures in feathers. Use selective focus and shallow depth of field for creative background blur. Convey size and scale by including familiar elements for perspective. Go beyond the standard portrait and flight shots.
Improve in post-processing
Skillful post-processing brings your bird photos to life. Adjust exposure, vibrance, contrast, and shadows/highlights to optimize tonal range. Careful cropping helps eliminate clutter and brings focus to the subject. Sharpening adds critical edge definition, especially important with feathers. Dehazing can help recover detail lost to atmospheric haze. Remove distractions with cloning and healing tools. Converting to black & white accentuates form, shape, and textures. Share your best images on photo sites and social media.
Invest in proper bird photography gear
Gear | Recommendations |
---|---|
DSLR or Mirrorless Camera | Crop sensor or full frame with advanced autofocus system |
Telephoto Lens | 400mm+ focal length, f/4 or faster aperture |
Tripod/Monopod | Sturdy model to support long heavy lenses |
Remote Release | Wired or wireless shutter release to reduce blur |
Memory Cards | Large, high-speed cards for burst shooting |
Photographing birds can be expensive due to the cost of long telephoto lenses required. But buying quality gear designed for wildlife and action photography will pay off with better images and handling in the field. Used professional gear is a more budget-friendly way to get excellent optics and performance.
Learn the habits of your subjects
Familiarizing yourself with the behavior, feeding patterns, habitats, and nesting preferences of target bird species will help you predict their movements and get better positioned for great shots. Here are tips on understanding behavior to photograph some common birds:
Songbirds
– Most active at dawn and dusk on feeding grounds
– Perch on branches, feeders, poles
– Photo opportunities: feeding, singing, territorial displays
Raptors
– Hunt rodents in open fields from perches and poles
– Nest in tall trees or on cliffs
– Photo opportunities: flight, plunging attacks, eating prey
Shorebirds
– Probe wet mud of marshes and beaches for food
– Nest on ground inscrapes or depressions
– Photo opportunities: flocking, inflight over water, mud-probing
Waterfowl
– Found on lakes, rivers, ponds. Often bread and raise young near water.
– Nest in reeds and grasses near water
– Photo opportunities: swimming, dabbling for food, takeoffs
Practice camera settings ahead of time
When actively shooting birds in the field, there’s little time to adjust camera settings and experiment. You need to instinctively know which focus modes, exposure settings, and drive modes work best for different situations. Extensive practice sessions ahead of time are invaluable. Rehearse handholding and panning techniques, focus tracking moving subjects, and burst shooting. Then these skills will be second nature when bird photo opportunities arise.
Have patience and persistence
Good bird photography requires cultivating patience and persistence. You must research locations, studying bird habits, and returning repeatedly to favorite hotspots. Learning a new technical skill like panning takes time and repetition. Sitting for hours waiting for the perfect shot calls for patience. Persistence pays off when you finally capture that outstanding bird image you’ve worked long and hard for. Let your passion drive you to keep learning and improving.
Join Audubon Society or other bird groups
Getting involved with birding conservation organizations like the National Audubon Society brings many benefits for photographers. You gain access to information on bird species, trends, habitats, migrations, and sightings that aids your photography. Outings to bird sanctuaries offer improved access and photo ops. And you support conservation efforts that protect birds and the places they live. Consider joining your local Audubon chapter.
Obey ethical bird photography practices
When photographing birds, it’s vital to prioritize their welfare over getting the shot. Never harass birds or put undue stress on them, especially during nesting season. Respect designated wildlife refuges and closed areas. Use proper blinds/hides that don’t disrupt habitats. Limit use of flash and baiting. Practice safe, responsible birding stewardship to protect your subjects for the future.
Conclusion
Bird photography is one of the most challenging but rewarding types of nature photography. By studying your avian subjects, practicing key skills like panning and exposure, and having the right gear, you’ll gain the images and experiences of a lifetime. Most importantly, take time to know the habitats and behaviors of local species. Let the incredible beauty and behaviors of birds inspire you to keep learning and exploring with your camera in hand.