Learn Digital Photography – Photographing Garden Birds for Beginners

The benefit of photographing backyard birds is that it’s a lot less hassle than visiting the park or reserve and, consequently, much more accessible for novices. When you first begin in bird photography, you’ll want to limit the use of the expense of equipment until you are sure that you love it and are able to take it on.

Photography at home with birds can be as easy as sitting in a comfortable chair and shooting until you have a picture. It is possible. However, you’ll be able to get as much enjoyment from taking pictures as much effort you do. Therefore, careful planning is going to help in capturing those stunning shots, even if they are in your own backyard. Here are the basic steps to how to get into bird photography in your garden.

1. To attract birds.

If there’s one thing you must master when it comes to this kind of photography, it’s attracting birds. If you own a garden that is bird-friendly, then you’re ready to go. This is where good research starts. Buy local guides to photography in the garden, or find others who are doing it through an organization like a bird club in your area, or go online to search for unique websites that are dedicated to this type of. It is essential to know what kind of food they enjoy and where they prefer to spend time together. This involves more than just putting out their favorite food items by planting the plants they love and even cultivating the food they crave. Another option is to plant the plants near the place you’ll shoot from. Make a designated area in your yard or in the window.

2. Establish your location

It’s just as easy as shooting from the window of your house to constructing an area specifically designed for hiding in your backyard, close to the most coveted perches and food sources. It’s your choice on how much effort you’ll put into the process. I’ve found that for beginners, a comfortable spot is a living or bedroom room window facing the garden, which has plenty of plants and trees. This is an area that has a lot of potentials, with plenty of lighting and spots to sit.

3. Set the stage

This is crucial since you want the location in which the birds are likely to perch to be near to where the hide or window is being set up as they can be. In this location, ensure that there is a height enough to allow the bird to perch and also to look around for any danger. You should also add a perch that is intermediate to the food source and place that food supply at an appropriate distance to be able to capture your photos. Lighting is crucial because the more natural the lighting, the lesser artificial lighting you’ll require, and, of course, flashes can disrupt the images. Be mindful of your backgrounds since they can affect the final image. Making sure your background is set up correctly is an essential aspect of your final picture.

4. Make the hide

It’s the same as a simple lounge or bedroom or as elaborate as a custom-designed cover. In the beginning, I would suggest making a space in your home. Glass forms an organic barrier that lets shooting be free because reflections shield your face from the birds. Make sure the glass is clean on both sides, so you don’t get blurry or dirty photos. In the hide, make sure that you’re sitting in a comfortable chair as you’ll be waiting until you understand what the patterns of feeding and perching are. In any case, you’ll need patience. Be aware that when moving within the room, you should take it slow because birds may not be able to see your movement clearly but respond to sudden flashes movements. Switch off any lights and close all other curtains to block the amount of light that enters the room.

5. Install your equipment

However, in this case, there is no limit to your camera’s capabilities because the majority of cameras can take decent pictures due to the proximity of the birds. What I’m referring to here is that the lenses don’t necessarily require considerable focal lengths. The majority of bridge and prosumer cameras have a sufficient focal length. Compacts might be unsatisfactory in this scenario. Keep in mind that you’re trying this to determine how you do or even like it. No matter what your camera, the tripod is crucial and, if you can, you have a cable release or your shutter set to a timed release of between 2 and 10 seconds to reduce camera shake. Another crucial step to make sure you get the best results is to focus your camera by using the manual focus setting using a sturdy perch or branch, or the bird feeder or the feeding platform you’ve put up. This will increase the chances of capturing the shot instead of focusing on where an animal lands and waiting for the most optimal. Planning is also an essential aspect of the success of a bird photo.

6. Keep shooting

Don’t be patient, waiting for the perfect shot. Just take as many shots as you are able to. At this point, the most important thing is to take as many great shots as feasible. It is possible to reduce the size of the photo later on because you’re looking for clear, crisp photos of birds. If you concentrate on the ideal composition, chances of getting good photographs will decrease. Keep in mind that this is just the start of your bird photography journey, and there are plenty of opportunities to improve. There’s an old saying that states that ‘nothing breeds achievement as much success.’ It’s essential to get the right shots to keep yourself focused.

Here are a few simple steps to help you get started without becoming an expert bird photographer. These are the key to learning to shoot birds in the most simple and straightforward method. The main thing to remember is to enjoy yourself and have fun for as long as you can. I can guarantee you that once you start capturing fantastic photos, you’ll not stop. So make sure that your bank account is in good shape since the cost starts at this point. Have fun shooting!