Rethinking Bird Photography: Embrace Wider Perspectives

^{Note: This tip comes from Audubon’s article - Zoom Out: Tips for Photographing Birds in their Landscapes}

While many bird photographers dream of filling the frame with close-up portraits, there’s a world of creative opportunity in using shorter focal lengths to capture birds within their landscapes.

Instead of relying on expensive telephoto lenses, try working with focal lengths between 16mm and 85mm.

This approach highlights the bird and the habitats that shape its behavior and character, resulting in more meaningful and story-driven images. By eliminating the temptation of a long lens and opting for a fixed focal length, such as the versatile 50mm “nifty fifty,” you’ll force yourself to experiment with composition, light, and perspective in ways you may not have considered before.

Think like a landscape photographer and let the environment share the visual load of your image. Incorporate an engaging foreground, midground, and background, using the bird as a focal point to anchor the scene.

Adjust your position to pay close attention to composition: lower the bird to make it stand out, frame it with peripheral vegetation, or allow it to exist partially outside the frame for added interest.

However, wider angles make distractions easier to introduce, so be deliberate. Uneven lighting, overexposed areas, or obstructing branches can clutter the shot. The best way to manage this is to shoot in early or late afternoon light, when softer tones complement the subject.

Creativity begins with understanding your subject. Studying a bird’s habits, movements, and interactions with its environment allows you to anticipate compelling moments and choose locations where the bird naturally fits into the scene. 

Even common backyard species like crows or wrens can become extraordinary subjects when photographed in fresh and unique ways. Push yourself to set high goals and try unconventional techniques. By experimenting with composition, light, and creative gear like underwater housings or wide-angle lenses, you’ll uncover perspectives that reveal deeper truths about birds and their connection to the landscape. These efforts will distinguish your work and make it uniquely yours.

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!)