Unlocking Success in Bird Photography for Beginners

^{Note: This tip comes from the Canon Bird Branch Project - How To Photograph Wild Birds}

The Program Mode is ideal for first-time photographers.

Once your camera and lens are ready, you should be prepared to start taking pictures. What should you do next?

Today, digital cameras are equipped with advanced features, making it easier than ever to take great photographs.

Jump right in and check your images on the camera's LCD. If you don't like the results, you can try changing the settings and see what happens. The important thing is to keep snapping away!

The Program Mode frees the beginning photographer to concentrate on composition and camera-holding techniques. This is a significant advantage for beginning photographers, especially when using long telephoto lenses.

How do you set the camera to Program Mode?

Set the Shooting Mode dial to “P.”

There are several other settings you will want to set even when using the P Mode.

• Set the ISO to “Auto.”

• Set the Metering Mode to “Evaluative,” also known as “Matrix.”

• Set the autofocus operation (AF) to “One Shot.” If the birds move consistently, change from One Shot to “AI Servo,” allowing the camera to focus continuously.

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!)