Bird photography is one of the most accessible and rewarding forms of wildlife photography. At the same time, it is also immensely challenging.

Here are a handful of tips help to you along your journey.

This goes with all forms of photography, but for bird photography, understanding how to work with natural light is critical. Chase good light and work with the light in the early morning and or the late afternoon, when it is softer and more diffuse. Use front lighting when you can but also try to experiment with side lighting to enhance textures in feathers. Use backlighting to create more dramatic visuals and rim lighting around features such as bill and feathers.

Simplify for visual impact and remove clutter which doesn’t add to the image. As a rule of thumb, two to three interesting things in the frame is a good baseline. By stripping away all the uneccessary elements, you can create greater visual impact.

The best bird images draw the viewer through the frame. Work out how to use leading lines, diagonals, framing and juxtaposition to build impact. Position yourself carefully in relation to perches, branches and natural features to ensure that these form interest components to the image.

If you are cropping more than 50 per cent of your image, you need to get closer or reassess how you are composing your image. Birds are difficult to approach, so consider using hides and blinds near good locations where it is safe to do so. There are a range of commercially made nets and portable hides available on the market. Anticipation and preparation is critical as birds seldom give you a second chance.

When you crop your image, experiment with different aspect ratios to create variations in the visual balance. The 16:9 and 5:7 cropping ratios work well but there is no hard and fast rule.

You are not going to capture good images without a basic understanding of bird behavior. Spend time studying and watching birds without a camera. Find out where species are distributed, what they feed on and when they breed. You don’t need to be an expert ornithologist, but a good understanding is the key to creating better photo opportunities.

Many birders will say early morning is the best time of day to head out. Other will say the afternoon is best. To be honest, I have had equal success with both mornings and afternoons. Midday can also work as well if you can find areas without harsh lighting.

Weather and season is just as important. Most species will remain sedentary in rain and strong wind. Many bird species are also migratory, heading towards warmer climates during the winter and returning in the summer to breed and raise their young.

With all wildlife photography, ethical etiquette and behavior is essential. Limit the impact of your photography on the species you are trying to photograph. While it is always tempting to get closer, try and remember that most viewing opportunities are the result of feeding and other behaviors. By disturbing birds, you can put them at risk.

Most importantly, enjoy what you do and don't get discouraged. You will spend hours looking and waiting for the right opportunity, but I promise you, when it does arrive, the effort would have been worth it. Birds are fascinating creatures and we can play a role as both photographers and conservationists in helping to preserve them for future generations.

If you would like to find out more about bird photography, please get in touch.

Cheers,

Russell