TOP BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS

© Owen Deutsch

Learn my best tips for getting the best bird shots – even as a beginner in your backyard

From Award-Winning Nature Photographer Owen Deutsch

Though I had been a fashion photographer for quite some time, photographing birds just wasn’t quite like photographing beautiful models. It is certainly a different kind of beauty to capture. In the same fashion, if you’ve never photographed birds before, I think you’ll find these tips useful and very new to you.

  • UP YOUR FRAME RATE (Just know you’ll need to edit down later)
  • SHOOT IN OVERCAST LIGHT
  • KEEP THE SUN BEHIND YOU
  • INCREASE SHUTTER SPEED (with sun behind you)
  • GET DOWN LOW TO THE GROUND USE PRE-RELEASE (if you shoot with a Nikon Z8 or Z9)
  • CATCH THE GLINT IN THE EYE
  • ALWAYS KEEP THE EYE SHARP

Quick Birding Tips

Why increase the Frame rate?

In my experience, you should shoot at least 10 frames per second. You won’t get everything your camera can give you if you shoot less. You will certainly shoot a lot of photos, and you’ll need to edit down and throw many away. I have heard many complaints about this, but hey ... you want to get that winning shot, right? It’s all about the process. Take your time, up that frame rate, and you’ll be rewarded.

If you shoot with Nikon Z8 or Z9, use Pre-Release

If you use a Nikon Z8 or Z9 camera, use pre-release. This feature is like magic! Cameras have a buffer and can't always record as fast as you need them to without this feature. If you want a photo of a bird in flight, or want to capture the bird just taking off, you can use pre-release to catch that bird leaning forward!

Pre-release allows you to get that shot of the bird taking off between 15 to 120 frames per second. If pre-release isn't an option, utilize the highest frame rate your camera allows. You typically can find this under your Drive Mode settings. I recommend at least 15 to 30 frames per second, if possible.

Get lower…lower…even lower

Getting low to the ground will help you get unique shots that you wouldn’t normally get if you shoot just straight ahead or upwards. It changes the entire mood of the shot! You can also incorporate foreground details that make the photo much more interesting. Including parts of the environment can make the photo, giving it context and helping to tell the bird’s story. Think you’re low enough? Nope - get lower.

Shoot in Overcast Light

When possible, shoot in overcast light for even lighting without harsh shadows. Shooting in overcast light allows for you to get a great shot no matter what position the sun is in! This is especially important if you are a beginner photographer and you aren’t entirely confident in adjusting your camera settings for harsh lighting conditions.

If it’s not overcast, keep the sun behind you

If the sun is bright and it’s not cloudy out, keep that sun behind you. This allows for sharpness and a well-lit bird without harsh shadows in the wrong places. In some of these scenarios, you can up your shutter speed to catch the perfect moment of the bird in action. If you shoot in the understory (the area under the tree canopy) with the sun behind you, you can get this truly magical effect with the sunlight coming through the leaves.

Catch the glint in the eye

When you get the bird’s eye sharp and catch that light glint, the bird looks alive! The eye is the most important part of the bird to keep in focus - it commands attention. That’s why a well-lit environment with the sun behind you is so important - and a fast shutter speed will help, too.

The background makes the photo

Common Yellowthroat, I know, I know ... you want to shoot photos of beautiful birds. But the background (and sometimes the foreground) can make or break the photo, too! Open up that aperture to get a beautiful blur and a stunning background every time. It sets the mood for the photo.

Remember that getting a great shot is not as much about the equipment as it is about the conditions and developing your eye for seeing the end result. With some practice and utilizing the right lighting conditions and composition, you can create beautiful bird images you’ll love for years to come!

Top Bird Photography Tips © Owen Deutsch