6 Bird Photo Mistakes That Are Easy to Fix (VIDEO)
Today’s tutorial from the Flying Parrot Photography YouTube channel reveals six common shooting mistakes that will compromise the images you capture of our feathered friends, whether you’re shooting at a local park, nearby nature reserve, or in the comfort of your backyard.
The seven minute episode is sort of a mea culpa as instructor Sonia admits to being guilty of these errors when first starting out. She now has years of experience as a “bird chaser” and the simple tips she explores are designed to help you find art in nature while boosting confidence and shortening your learning curve.
Her first misconception was thing that “I had to speed things up because birds move fast, But that’s wrong.” As she explains, it’s important not to rush because great images require patience and thoughtful timing. So take time choosing the appropriate camera settings, composing your scene, and anticipating the peak moment of action.
Mistake #2 is capturing a nice shot and immediately moving on to a different spot. The idea is to “wait a bit longer in case there’s another opportunity to capture a shot from the same vantage point that take things to the next level.” This approach is especially true when you have a cooperative subject that doesn’t seem to be bothered by your presence.
Sonia also recommends revisiting familiar spots, instead of always seeking new locations. Here she explains how “returning to the same places and birds may seem a bit repetitive but it brings valuable insights about behavior, light, backgrounds, and the best camera positions at different times of day.” You may even want to keep a log of these important considerations.
Another common misconception is that awaking early and shooting at dawn is the only way to capture spectacular photos. In fact some insects that birds favor for a meal don’t start moving around until the temperature rises later in the day. In short, while it’s preferable to shoot in ideal light, you’re wasting your time if the birds are inactive
At this point you’ve reached the midpoint of this very helpful lesson, and Sonia discusses three more mistakes and their solutions as the video proceeds. Be sure to visit the Flying Parrot Photography YouTube channel where there are many more tips and techniques for improving your photography skills.
And on a related note, check out the related tutorial we featured earlier with another successful wildlife photographer and instructor who explains how to manipulate depth of field to accentuate the key subject in your frame.
