Capturing Birds at Rest Using Pre-Focusing

^{Note: This tip comes from Photzy’s 10 Bird Photography Cheat Sheet Snap Cards.}

When photographing birds at rest, you are faced with challenges. You must choose a location where birds will frequent, knowing they will continue returning. This is usually a feeding or nesting location.

It’s critical to note the position of the sun or your light source and place them on the camera side of the bird’s location so that you are not shooting into the sun or electronic flash.

You must pay special attention to the background - for example, are there any distractions?

Recommended Technique – Pre-focus

Pre-focus on an area where birds are repeatedly coming to rest.

• Mount your camera on a tripod.
  

• Compose using the preselected area.
  

• Lock Focus? - Make sure the shutter speed is fast enough to capture any motion and stop any blurring from camera shake.
  

• Use Aperture Priority (start at f/8) and adjust as necessary - Make sure f/stop provides enough depth of field.
  

• Attach remote shutter release.

• Remove your eye from the viewfinder.
  

• Shoot as birds enter and rest within your pre-focused area.

Want more? If you want to learn more about bird photography, and capture beautiful shots of your own, we recommend downloading and printing out Photzy’s 10 Bird Photography Cheat Sheets (Special bonus available now!)