Bird Photography

Course outline

• Garden Birds

  We first discuss the ideal all round equipment for photographing birds and take a brief look at the basics of exposure and choosing both appropriate shutter speeds and depth of field.

  We then look at attracting birds to a garden or indeed woodland feeding station. The best way of siting a bird table for light and backgrounds, concealment, hides or using a garden shed or your home as a hide and the props you need to make natural looking images. We examine how to encourage a bird on to a particular perch and then how to frame your subject. Finally we look at manipulating the light and techniques for making striking images that go beyond simple portraits.

• Wildfowl

  Wildfowl the collective name for ducks, geese and swans are one of the most accessible and dynamic subjects on offer to the bird photographer. They generally inhabit open environments, are often very approachable or gather together outside the breeding season in spectacular flocks.

  This lesson will look at reading the signs these birds give off whether they are about to take flight or exhibit some other form of behaviour. We will look at how your angle of view can dramatically influence the feel of an image, and delve into how perspective can change depending on the focal length of lens used. Flocks can offer all sorts of creative opportunities from freezing action to experimenting with motion blur.

  Guidance will be given on seeking out great places to photograph wildfowl and being creative when your subject is tame.

• Waders

  Many species of waders or shorebirds as they are commonly referred to in the US travel vast distances, migrating across oceans and continents to and from their breeding and wintering grounds. Some species can be approached by careful stalking, others require more planning with the provision of a hide.

  Various techniques for photographing waders will be discussed including tips on stalking and the pros and cons of wearing camouflage gear when doing so. Roosting flocks such as Knot can offer exciting opportunities and we look at using the landscape around our subject as a key feature of the composition.

  Finally we investigate how some images of waders can work best when converted to black and white.

• Birds in Flight

  Successful flight photography other than when an opportune moment presents itself, usually means being in the right place at the right time. Our final lesson examines how forward planning and anticipating an opportunity will reap rewards. We look at how depth of field and shutter speeds are crucial to securing a well executed image.

  Tips are given on which species offer the best flight opportunities, and we look at how birds can be manipulated to fly in front of the camera. This final lesson will also draw on much we have learnt in the previous three sessions that when used together help secure images of birds in flight, the most challenging aspect of bird photography.