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Introduction to Bird Photography
Home » Birding » Bird Photography » Introduction to Bird PhotographyWhether your favorite bird is the cardinal, the hummingbird, or the bald eagle, bird photography allows you to retain images of your favorite species. Your perfect photograph might capture the lazy grace of the swan, the hunt of the red-tailed hawk, or some other species in its natural habitat.
Bird photography has become a very popular hobby. You can go on a trip or take a hike with your local bird watching club. You can buy a bird field guide or subscribe to a bird photography magazine. In addition, the Internet is now an additional source where you can learn from photographers who have been watching birds for decades.
If you are new at bird photography, you can get started in your own backyard. Get started by focusing your efforts on the areas surrounding your bird feeders, birdbaths or birdhouses. Once you’ve had some practice at your own home, take a morning or an afternoon and explore some nearby wooded areas with your camera.
The best time to take pictures of birds is in the mornings or the evenings or on hazy days. Direct sunlight can weaken your photographs, and most birds are also most active shortly after sunrise and before sunset.
As you take pictures, remember that you are only an observer on the scene, so do your best not to disturb or startle the birds. With this in mind, be wary of spending much time near nesting areas. Never endanger a bird for the sake of your own picture and leave birds alone if you sense that your presence is causing them stress. When you leave an area, leave it, as far as possible, exactly as you found it; after all, it’s the birds’ home, not yours.
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