Start with the equipment you already have
The best camera for getting started is often the one you already own. Modern phones can take surprisingly good photos of birds, especially when the bird is relatively close.
If you have a dedicated camera, a telephoto or zoom lens can make it much easier to photograph birds without getting close enough to disturb them.
Don't feel like you need to buy expensive equipment before learning how to find and observe birds. Your photography skills will improve as you spend more time watching birds.
Use natural light
Good lighting can make a bigger difference than expensive equipment. Whenever possible, photograph birds when there is enough natural light to produce a clear, detailed image.
Morning and late afternoon can provide attractive, softer light. Bright midday sunlight can also work, although harsh shadows may make details harder to see.
- ✓Try to keep the light behind or slightly to the side of you.
- ✓Avoid blocking the light with your own body.
- ✓Watch for shadows across the bird's face.
- ✓Use brighter conditions when you need faster shutter speeds.
Keep the bird in focus
Birds move quickly, so focusing can be one of the biggest challenges. If your camera has animal or bird autofocus, experiment with it and see how reliably it tracks your subject.
For smaller or distant birds, keeping the bird's head and eye sharp is often more important than getting every feather perfectly focused.
Choose a fast shutter speed
A fast shutter speed helps reduce blur caused by movement. This becomes particularly important when photographing birds that are flying, hopping, feeding, or rapidly moving their heads.
The exact setting depends on your camera and lighting, but increasing shutter speed is generally helpful when your photos are coming out blurry because of movement.
- ✓Perched birds: start with a moderately fast shutter speed.
- ✓Active birds: increase the shutter speed.
- ✓Birds in flight: use a much faster shutter speed.
- ✓If your photos are dark, you may need to increase ISO or open the aperture.
Be patient
Bird photography is often more about patience than technology. Watch where birds are landing and feeding before immediately taking photographs.
If a bird repeatedly returns to the same branch or feeder, position yourself in advance and wait. This can produce much better photographs than following the bird around.
Photograph birds ethically
Good bird photography should never come at the expense of the bird. Avoid chasing birds, repeatedly flushing them from hiding places, or getting close to nests simply for a photograph.
Give birds plenty of space and pay attention to their behavior. If a bird repeatedly changes its behavior because of your presence, move farther away.