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Need beginners advice on taking bird photos
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My bride is legally blind but has some sight. Occasionally she can see birds on our back lawn. I’m totally ignorant of birds but I would like to shoot a few :), so she can really see them.
I have a tripod and 18-105mm lens, tried framing a few of the cute little creatures, but the lens didn’t seem long enough. Is that true? With this lens can I expect to get a reasonable picture of a bird?
Besides practice, practice, practice, what three things are most important to get started?
I’m too dumb to construct a good search phrase, so Google failed me. Where on the net can I find basic advice?
thanx in advance,
Hi , well i set up a feeder in the garden to attract the birds and then i just waited it out untill they just ignored me and now they come in droves eachday and dont seem to be botherd by me and my camera at all . I would say though use a tri-pod or monopod for good steady shots , im just a learner at this so i put my camera on the sports setting and just shoot . Hope some of this helps .
Hi Ted, I’ve moved your post into the beginners section because the Wildlife section is only for photos. As per the comment above a feeder is a great idea, we have one about 12 ft from our backdoor and get birds landing on it all day. Also setup a nice perch next to the feeders so that your images will look more natural. A large potted plant is ideal. With regard to your len, I do think your on the limit unless you can setup a feeder right outside the window.
Hope this helps.
Dave.Dave,
thanx for correcting my incorrect posting.
By “setup a feeder right outside the window”, do you mean I could shoot thru the glass?
What I started with was a sigma 70-300 macro lens, a great all rounder with a decent zoom and a macro setting for insects etc. If you cant get
physically closer to your subject invest in a zoom lens. These lenses can be picked up for 100 odd euro second hand. Hang around at a safe distance from the feeding station and the birds will become used to you, some species are more tolerant than others of course :wink:
It’s all a question of patience and practice of course.Yes Ted, if the glass is clean you should have no problems shooting through the glass.
Dave.
Hi Ted.
Another option might be to shoot the camera remotely. I don’t know what make of camera you use, but remote controls / cables might be available for it. This would allow you to use your existing lens/camera closer to the feeder without you being there & the birds will get used to it a little quicker. One problem is you couldn’t see through the viewfinder to see how it looks until after you finish shooting.thanx for the insights. I’ll try them to be sure I understand.
Super-cleaning a window is a great idea.
When I was given my tripod, I also recieved a wired remote. But I like the idea of a longer wire and putting the camera outside in the cold. I assume, with irish weather, that the camera needs a shower cap. :)
I’m amazed to hear that birds will get used to us sitting near where they eat. At our house they fly away when the kitchen door opens.
Hannah will be overjoyed if I can execute on your advice.
thanx again,
1) Bird feeder … do a little research. ID the birds in your garden/area and then get the right food/feeder for them. There isn’t a 1-size-fits-all.
2) Some garden centres are doing wrought-iron hangers. I like them because they are tall enough for the birds to feel safe and you can set them up away from the background.
3) Pick your background … you want a nice natural looking bokeh.
4) Use a prop twig. Busy feeders mean the birds “queue up”. You shoot the birds on the prop twig, not on the feeders. You want the photo to look wild.
5) Swap out the prop twig. Different sizes for different birds.
6) Shooting from behind glass is lazy and gives soft/dark photos. Might as well buy one of those $100 1,000mm F11 lenses on Ebay if that’s the plan. Some have used tents , some use hides, some might just throw up a blind of some kind to shild their body form the birds. You can get within a few feet without them noticing you.
7) Focus on the twig, pre-meter the camera, wait for a bird to land on the twig, focus on the eye, re-compose, and shoot.And that’s how to do “tits on a stick”:
EDIT:
I should add that one my the pleasures of having a feeder is waking up on a sunny spring morning to the sounds of birds chirping away in your garden. Your g/f might not be able to see them properly, but the she’ll hear them. One of my little pleasures in life.I bought a wireless remote for my canon and set up the camera in the morning fairly close to the feeding station. I went inside and watching from the window I took pics as and when the birds looked like they were in frame. It took them 2 days to get used to the camera being there and the sound of the shutter but now it does not phase them. Hope to see your results here :)
I really appreciate all of the input.
Our birds are always on the garden fence or on the ground. Guess I’ll start with trying to ID a few of the nice looking ones and getting them the food they like. Need a feeder and branch as well.
This is going to take awhile. But my bride will love the results.
thanx all,
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