Getting Close to Your Bird Subject

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

The biggest challenge to new bird photographers is getting close enough to see the details of the bird. No one wants the bird in their photograph to appear as a spot in the distance. A longer focal length lens - either a telephoto prime or a telephoto zoom lens - is your best choice. Outside of that, stealth - along with the use of camouflage or a blind - is your next step toward pro bird photography up-close.

Tip #1 – A quality camera with as much resolution as you can afford. This will allow you to crop your files significantly while still retaining enough resolution to produce a sharp, artifact-free print in large sizes. In addition, some cameras offer a ‘quiet mode’ when rapid shooting. That is also a definite plus.

Tip #2 – It’s no secret that bird photographers prefer long telephoto lenses. But when preparing to buy one, you want to consider the lens's resolving power, especially at wider apertures. Rarely, if ever, will you be shooting at a f/stop below f/11. Research how the lens performs from its maximum aperture down to approximately f/8 or f/11.

Tip #3 – While it would be less important if needed at all when shooting at a zoo or bird sanctuary, stealth is critical anywhere. Stealth encompasses everything from how you move and react to your surroundings to what clothing you’re wearing. You might also consider a stealth sleeve for your lens, especially if you are a Canon user with a bright white lens.

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!)