Capturing the Elegance of Birds

^{Note: This tip comes from page 7 in Tobie Schalkwyk’s free eBook – Getting Started in Bird Photography}

Bird photography is a captivating and challenging genre, where the key to success lies in patience, preparation, and a good understanding of your subjects.

First Tip: Focus on Eye Contact

One of the most potent ways to connect with your viewers through bird photography is by capturing the eyes of your subjects. In bird photography, the eyes help reveal the essence and character of your feathered subjects.

Why Focus on the Eyes?

When you emphasize the eyes in your bird photographs, you create an instant and emotional connection between your subject and the viewer. The eyes of a bird convey their unique personality, adding depth and story to your images.

Here’s why this tip is so important:

Emotional Impact: The eyes of a bird can convey a range of emotions – curiosity, fear, determination, and sometimes even playfulness. These emotions engage your viewers and draw them into the story you’re telling through your photograph.

Sharpness and Clarity: When the eyes are in focus, the rest of the image can be slightly blurred, highlighting the bird’s gaze and making it the focal point. This technique is often referred to as “bokeh,” and it creates a visually pleasing effect.

Identification: Bird enthusiasts and ornithologists often rely on a bird’s eye color, shape, or markings to identify species. By capturing the eyes in sharp detail, you can help with bird identification.

Let’s look at a couple of examples to illustrate the power of this tip:

Eye Contact with Predators:

When photographing raptors like eagles, hawks, or owls, their piercing eyes are a defining feature. In this example, imagine you’re photographing a barn owl perched on a branch. By focusing on the owl’s large, dark eyes, you can capture the intensity of its gaze, evoking a sense of mystery and wonder.

Subtle Expressions in Songbirds: 

Small songbirds, such as finches or warblers, may not have the same intense gaze as raptors, but their eyes can still be captivating. In this example, imagine you’re photographing a goldfinch perched on a fence. You can capture these birds’ playfulness and curiosity by focusing on their tiny, bright eyes.

More Tips for Achieving Stunning Eye Contact in Bird Photography

Use a Wide Aperture (Low number f-stop). To achieve the desirable “bokeh” effect, use a wide aperture like f/2.8 or f/4. This will create a shallow depth of field, ensuring the eyes are in sharp focus while the background is pleasantly blurred.

Auto-Focus on the Eyes: Most modern cameras have an advanced auto-focus system that can detect and lock onto your subject’s eyes. This feature can be invaluable when photographing birds, especially when they’re in motion.

Steady Your Equipment: Birds are often quick and agile, so using a tripod or a monopod can help you keep your camera steady. This is essential when focusing on small and intricate details like the eyes.

Conclusion

In bird photography, the eyes of your subjects serve as a gateway to their world. They offer a glimpse of their character, emotions, and identity. By focusing on the eyes, you can create images that resonate with viewers, telling a visual story beyond the feathers and beaks.

Practice this essential tip, experiment with different species, and watch your bird photography skills soar.

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!)