Bird photography is undoubtedly one of the most challenging genres of photography. Your subject is usually small and fast, and if you are not fully prepared, the results will disappoint you. On the other hand, get things right, and your end product will be truly rewarding. To help you out in the field, we have wildlife photographer Kristi Odom from B&H with five top tips that’ll help you get some impressive bird photos:
While you might have already come across a ton of bird photography tips that focus on camera settings, Odom’s tips are a bit different. After all, on-the-field expertise pays higher dividends than being a settings geek.
As with photographing any species of wildlife, understanding the behavior of the bird you’re after is necessary. Knowing what they like to feed on, where they go to drink or even what their mating calls sound like will open up unique opportunities for you.
“It’s always good to take your photo past the typical portrait and tell people something about your subjects.”
Odom also shares some behavioral tips you can adopt for improving your bird-photography skills. They include not flocking in a group, respecting wildlife and not shying away from uncooperative weather. Be sure to watch the complete video to get a better understanding.
“Some of my favorite shots of birds have been in the rain and in the snow. I love seeing how birds react when they’re in the middle of a rainstorm.”
Lastly, she also shares the importance of knowing your camera inside-out, so that you can make the most out of the technology that the camera packs. Since you need to be quick when photographing birds, you could benefit from the camera’s capabilities. It could help you increase your success rate.
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