Creating Images That Are More Artistic Than Standard Wildlife Portraits

^{Note: This tip comes from the photography case study #3 ‘Composition’ inside Photzy’s - 5 Extended Case-Studies on Bird Photography}

Photographing birds as art requires a shift in perspective from viewing them merely as subjects of wildlife documentation to seeing them as elements in a composition that conveys emotion, story, or abstract beauty.

Here’s some tips on how you can approach bird photography with an artistic lens!

Tip #1 - Focus on Composition

Place your bird subject along the lines or intersections of the Rule of Thirds grid to create a more engaging composition while carefully considering the background elements.

Use natural elements like branches, foliage, or manmade structures to lead the viewer’s eye to the bird or frame it interestingly within the shot.

Negative Space: Incorporate the space around your subject to create a sense of environment or isolation, depending on the mood you want to convey.

Tip #2 - Play with Light

Golden Hour: Utilize the soft, warm light of early morning or late afternoon to add a magical quality to your images.

Backlighting: Position yourself so the light is behind the bird, highlighting its form and possibly creating a rim light or a silhouette for dramatic effect.

Diffused Light: Overcast days provide soft, diffused light, perfect for capturing details and colors without harsh shadows.

Tip #3 - Capture Emotion

Eye contact is crucial. Wait for moments when the bird looks towards the camera to capture a connection between the subject and the viewer.

Photographing bird behavior during activities like feeding, preening, or interacting with others can add a storytelling element to your images.

Mood: Consider the overall mood of the scene and how elements like weather, light, and setting contribute to the photograph's emotional context.

Tip #4 - Post-Processing for Artistic Flair

Creative Editing: Don’t be afraid to experiment with editing techniques such as selective color, high contrast, or digital painting effects to enhance the artistic quality of your photos.

Tip #5 - Study Art and Photography

Draw inspiration from various art forms and photographic styles. Study the works of famous painters or photographers to understand how they use composition, light, and subject matter to convey emotion and story.Tip #5 - Study Art and Photography

Draw inspiration from various art forms and photographic styles. Study the works of famous painters or photographers to understand how they use composition, light, and subject matter to convey emotion and story.

Conclusion

Approaching bird photography as an art form opens up limitless possibilities for creativity and expression. By focusing on composition, light, emotion, and abstract elements, you can transform your bird photographs into works of art that captivate and inspire.

Remember, the key to artistic photography is not just in capturing what you see but in conveying how you feel about your subject and what you wish to express to your audience.

Let your creativity soar, and enjoy the process of making art with every shot.

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!)