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Michelle Schaefer

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This question is for those of you who do a lot of bird photography:

What tips can you give me for getting in close to get really great bird shots. I am very new to photographing birds and it seems that most of the shots I have taken, except for the ones at my feeder, have been too far away to get nice clear pics. I have a 70-300mm IS USM for my XSi but I still feel that I am too far away. I end up doing a lot of cropping before I can get the image to the size I would like to see. You can take a look at my .mac web gallery to see what I mean.

Also, is there a good resource for instructional reading on this topic?

Thanks!
Michelle
http://web.mac.com/mschaefrlb/iWeb/Site/My%20birds%20from%204-19-08.html
 
Personally I think that birding requires a longer lens combination. Most of the pictures on my nature galleries were taken with a 500mm F4 + 1.4x TC + 30D. Luck is also an important component too.

Paul
--
My website: http://www.prcimages.com
 
Bigger birds do not need to be that close to you. I am not joking - with your 70-300, you can take nice bird pictures in many places in Florida, for example.

Or you can go to a zoo. Like the one in Central Park in NYC.
 
I looked at your bird photos on your website. You photographed an amazing variety of birds for just one day. I am jealous of your having photographed the Belted Kingfisher in particular. The photo of the Cardinal in flight is really neat. It it hard to photograph a small bird in flight.

I am no pro, but like to photograph birds.

Unfortunately, taking good photos of birds often requires a longer reach than possible with a 300mm lens. I suggest you consider buying the Canon 400mm f/5.6L and the 1.4x teleconverter. To use AF with the teleconverter, you will need to tape some of the contacts, and you will lose one f stop and it will slow the focusing speed. But for photographing a bird that is stationary it should work just fine. A couple other suggestions. Use a tripod when you can, and try to stand between the sun and the bird and otherwise try to use a fill flash.
 
I have been taking a lot of bird pictures also and you have to have a long lens unless you are lucky enough to have the bird very close to you. I bought a 400mm f/5.6L which helps a lot (vs my 70-200 f/4) but it is not sufficient for crisp detail on ducks which head for the middle of the lake at the sight of a camera and tripod (a blind would help but is not practical in my favorite site). You can't get much sharp detail if you crop an image down to 10% or less of the original size, the math does not work.

Your camera handling technique and exposure settings are also important. A good tripod is essential and you have to use it correctly, even the slightest amount of camera motion when you push the shutter will cost you some sharpness, I have been using a remote shutter release to get better stability. Most ducks are swimming which also forces you to use faster shutter speeds if you want sharp images.

I also take lots of pics because few birds are cooperative with respect to posing!

Read some of Daniella's posts, her skills are very good.

Have fun!

Kickback
 
Only suggestion I can make is a longer (400+) lens and keep on trying. Look for seasonaly resident birds - migrants are sppoked easy in unfamiliar territory. Don't focus attention on the bird when approaching - they pick up on your eyes. Keep on trying - sooner or later one will let you close. At first it will be a lot of miss and little hit.

Gene

--
Gene (aka hawkman) - Walk softly and carry a big lens

Please visit my wildlife galleries at:
http://www.pbase.com/gaocus
http://hawkman.smugmug.com/gallery/1414279

 
Join a local bird club and see how they approach finding and getting closer to birds and the importance of habitat for finding them. Patience is a virtue and it creates opportunty.
don.
 
Getting close and having good light is critical. Then a good tripod a remote release using mirror lock up for those long shots.I just bought some camo mesh to make a throw blind. Be patient and vigilant. Learn the calls of the birds you are after.
 
All good advice from those responding to this point, I have fairly good success with the 100-400 zoom lens and the 70-200, you may see some of my photos here

http://jprphotos.smugmug.com/gallery/2049476_Fwq3d#P-1-12

What has helped me is I set up a bird feeding station in an area of the yard that allows me to shoot through an open window in the house, once birds become accustom to feeding at the station you'll have no real problems getting some good shots. My station is only some 15 foot from the window.

Also going to local parks and arboretums were feeding stations are set up again the birds get use to people being around and do not spook as easily.

Good luck and be patient
 
Birds/insects are creatures of habit. If you see one perched on a branch and it flies away when you approach, just be patient. It's likely to return, if you wait long enough (up to 1/2 hr or so). Have your camera prefocused on the branch. When the bird returns, do not make sudden moves. Use this type of strategy. Do not try to get too close.

These swallows flew away when I set up. It took only about 10 minutes for them to return. I stood about 20' away from the bird house (ok, so I used a big lens, but the idea is valid). The frame is somewhat cropped.

http://www.pbase.com/sadja/image/96253819
--
Sadja
http://www.pbase.com/sadja
 
Sorry to intrude on this thread, but was taking a walk near a lake today, north of New York City with 300 f4 on a mk3 to try out new firmware.
I was able to approach this bird to within 4 feet. I can't identify it.









These were taken hand held and are not cropped.
thanks for the help

--
Fred
falphotography.com
 
Michelle Schaefer said:
This question is for those of you who do a lot of bird photography:

What tips can you give me for getting in close to get really great
bird shots. I am very new to photographing birds and it seems that
most of the shots I have taken, except for the ones at my feeder,
have been too far away to get nice clear pics. I have a 70-300mm IS
USM for my XSi but I still feel that I am too far away. I end up
doing a lot of cropping before I can get the image to the size I
would like to see. You can take a look at my .mac web gallery to see
what I mean.

Also, is there a good resource for instructional reading on this topic?

Thanks!
Michelle
http://web.mac.com/mschaefrlb/iWeb/Site/My%20birds%20from%204-19-08.html
Click to expand...
Many people will tell you, you'll need at least a 400 or 500mm L lens...

Some will tell you, work with what you have, like the 300mm zoom lens, it's more than enough for most birds. You just need to learn to get close to birds, remember, birds are animals of habits, you just have to learn what those are.

I use "only" a sigma 100-300mm ang I can get real close to shy and small birds, I setup hides and use camuflage equipment, and a lot LOT of patience.

Learn to search for artistic poses and clean backgrouds, and you'll have the formula to great bird photos.





Check out my gallery at, http://www.flickr.com/photos/diogocarvalho/

--
d i o g o c a r v a l h o - nature images

 
Thank you,

I'm not sure on the health--i was amazed that it allowed me to approach that closely--even though I did it in very small steps.
--
Fred
falphotography.com
 
...go to places where the birds are approachable.

These include places where they have become habitualized to people. (national parks like yellowstone, city parks, bird refuges, zoos/aviaries,Galopagos)

or go to places that contain lot's of wild birds that have little contact/fear of people. (Patagonia, Africa, Canada, Alaska, the Phillipines, New Ginieau)

When "hunting" it is generally better to sit quiet and let them come to you than going stalking. If stalking, use natural cover, move slowly (one step every 30 seconds) and quietly and avoid eye contact.
Michelle Schaefer said:
This question is for those of you who do a lot of bird photography:

What tips can you give me for getting in close to get really great
bird shots. I am very new to photographing birds and it seems that
most of the shots I have taken, except for the ones at my feeder,
have been too far away to get nice clear pics. I have a 70-300mm IS
USM for my XSi but I still feel that I am too far away. I end up
doing a lot of cropping before I can get the image to the size I
would like to see. You can take a look at my .mac web gallery to see
what I mean.

Also, is there a good resource for instructional reading on this topic?

Thanks!
Michelle
http://web.mac.com/mschaefrlb/iWeb/Site/My%20birds%20from%204-19-08.html
Click to expand...
--

There is simply too much beauty in the world to photograph it all, but I'm trying.
 
Don't wear brightly colored clothing. I find green works the best for approaching birds. If you want to photograph coastal water birds, try and shoot them during low tide...they will be busy feeding and less concerned about you. Most of the birds in my gallery were shot with the 400mm f/5.6. Other than pelicans, most birds require a very cautious approach - otherwise you'll just spook them. It's also best to head out early in the morning before the good birding areas fill up with people. Have fun and just be patient:-)
--
http://www.betterphoto.com/gallery/gallery.asp?memberID=108905
 
If you want to take a lot of photos of birds, I think it is worth investing in a longer lens, such as a 400mm prime lens. Although nice photos can be taken with a 300mm lens, it makes it more challenging. I find that I almost never use a zoom lens for photographing birds because I almost always need more reach, not less. These are a few photos I took recently of a Sparrow (I think) in my backyard, and Western King Birds on my neighbor's house and in my front yard catching bee and in flight. Taking these photos with a shorter focal length lens would have made it more challenging.





 
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