Photographing Birds

In Mastering Bird Photography: The Art, Craft, and Technique of Photographing Birds and Their Behavior, acclaimed bird photographer and author Marie Read shares techniques and stories behind her compelling images, offering fresh insights into making successful bird photographs, whether you’re out in the field or in the comfort of your own backyard.

In this richly illustrated book, you’ll learn how to be in the right place at the right time and how to obtain tack sharp portraits. Marie then teaches you to take your skills to the next level in order to capture action shots, illustrate birds in their habitats, and portray birds in evocative and artistic ways.

Building on basic technical topics such as camera choice, lens choice, and camera settings, Marie reveals how fieldcraft, compositional decisions, and knowledge of bird behavior contribute greatly to a successful bird photograph. Captions for the over 400 images contained in the book provide details on the equipment used, as well as camera settings. Throughout the book, bird behavior insights provide bird photographers of all skill levels a wealth of essential insider information that will help you produce images that stand out from the crowd.

Topics include:

Equipment and accessories

Focus, exposure, and light

Composition and creativity

Bird photography ethics

Capturing bird behavior

Storytelling images

Action and in-flight shots

Backyard photo studio

Weather, water, and mood

Top bird photo sites in North America

Basic image editing

…and much more

Foreword by Tim Gallagher, Editor-in-Chief Emeritus, Living Bird magazine. p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Cambria} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; min-height: 15.0px} p.p3 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Cambria; min-height: 14.0px} p.p4 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial} span.s1 {font: 11.0px Verdana} span.s2 {font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'}

Photography: Birds explains how to photograph birds--whether in your backyard or at a birding destination--detailing unique issues that confront photographers of all levels and providing the best guidance for capturing the beauty and splendor of our feathered friends. Gerrit Vyn, an award-winning bird photographer, videographer, and sound recorder, has become renowned for his ability to capture birds, especially for the prestigious Cornell Lab of Ornithology. In this new guide, he reveals his methods and shares how to photograph birds based on location, behavior, identification, and storytelling. Vyn details the range of technical considerations, giving clear instruction and advice, as well as the creative decisions a photographer must make on lighting, framing, timing, and motion. He also discusses situations unique to bird photographers: dealing with habituated or tame birds, approaching feeders, utilizing blinds, and more. Once captured, digital images can be digitally refined, so Vyn delves into the procedures that elevate an image from mundane to striking, using Adobe Lightroom. Throughout, Vyn emphasizes an ethical approach to observing and interacting with the birds around us.

Birds of the world are portrayed in all their colorful glory by Tim Flach, the world’s leading animal photographer Radiating grace, intelligence, and humor, and always in motion, birds tantalize the human imagination. Working for years in his studio and the field, Tim Flach has portrayed nature’s most exquisite creatures alertly at rest or dramatically in flight, capturing intricate feather patterns and subtle coloration invisible to the naked eye. From familiar friends to marvelous rarities, Flach’s birds convey the beauty and wonder of the natural world. Here are all manner of songbirds, parrots, and birds of paradise; birds of prey, water birds, and theatrical domestic breeds. The brilliant ornithologist Richard O. Prum is our guide to this magical kingdom.

There are an estimated 85 million American birders and just about every one carries a camera. Now two photography experts from "National Geographic" reveal the art to capturing birds on film. This appealing and informative guide is packed with practical know-how, techniques, and hard-won wisdom. 125 photos. 5 line drawings.

Bird photography is one of the most challenging genres of photography, and can test even modern high-specification cameras to their limits. This practical book guides you through both how to understand your camera and how to develop your own style and approach. With technical, practical and creative insights throughout, it also emphasizes the importance of fieldcraft and understanding your subject. The book advises on cameras and equipment, explains the importance of light and composition, encourages experimentation and a creative approach, suggests project ideas and locations and demonstrates post-capture processing. This practical book helps you master the challenges of photographing birds and to capture their beauty, flight and behaviour and will be of great interest to bird photographers, bird enthusiasts, artists and ornithologists. Beautifully illustrated with 160 stunning colour images.

Everything you need to know to get started in bird photography!

Whether you’re a dedicated and serious birder, a hobbyist bird watcher, or simply a lover of nature, getting great photos of birds is at the top of the list for bird lovers of all kinds. In this book, professional photographer Rosl Rössner teaches you all of her techniques, tips, and tricks for capturing fantastic bird photographs.

Starting with the gear you’ll need, Rössner discusses cameras, tripods, lenses, and more. She then moves on to finding the birds you want to photograph. While this includes locations out in the wild, she also covers zoos, parks, sanctuaries, and other easily accessible spots—which are especially great for beginning bird photographers. Rössner then thoroughly covers the camera and shooting techniques you need to know, including key lessons on exposure, composition, focus, and sharpness. Regardless of the quality of the light (front light, side light, etc.) or the season you’re shooting in (rain, snow, fog), Rössner’s got you covered.

In the final part of the book, Rössner takes you behind the scenes of 25 unique bird photographs, telling you how the image came about, plus any specific tips and tricks that were used to create the image. Featuring birds from around the world, The Beginner's Guide to Photographing Birds is a beautiful, helpful, and accessible guide for anyone getting started in bird photography.

Table of Contents
1: What Makes a Great Bird Photograph?
2: The Necessary Gear
3: Finding Birds to Photograph
4: Shooting Techniques and Composition Tips
5: The Making of 25 Photographs

Learn how to understand your camera and how to develop your own style and approach to bird photography with this practical guide Bird photography is one of the most challenging genres of photography, and can test even modern high-specification cameras to their limits. With technical, practical, and creative insights throughout, it also emphasizes the importance of field craft and understanding your subject. Included is advice on cameras and equipment, and explanations of the importance of light and composition. Readers are encouraged to experiment and take a creative approach. As well as suggesting project ideas and locations, there are also demonstrations showing post-capture processing.