One Of The Challenges For Bird Photography – Getting Close

^{Note: This tip comes from the printable cheat sheet ‘How to Photography Birds Up Close’ inside Photzy’s - 10 Bird Photography Cheat Sheets}

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.

• Set your camera for the ‘back button’ shutter release. You will find guidelines on how to do this for your particular camera model online or in your camera manual.

• Proper camera handling, including-

  • Use a tripod or monopod.

  • If you have the option, attach your tripod or monopod to the lens collar rather than the camera body.

  • Ensure the camera is set to a shutter speed that equals or is faster than the lens’s focal length. For example, with a 300mm lens, you want the shutter speed to be 1/300th or faster.

  • Release the camera shutter with a slow, methodical movement. Don’t jam the shutter release button.

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!)