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There are some out in the world today who have always had a passion for photography.  Those people are the ones who know the skill required to not just shoot a photo, but make it come alive.  The game changes a bit and becomes much more challenging when there are moving elements like automobiles, wildlife, and people, therefore more expertise is required.  Bird photography is considered one of the most difficult forms of photography known to artists, and takes an enormous amount of skill.  It is the intention of this article to help you in learning the basics, to help you get started with photographing birds, and soon you will be shooting works of art yourself.

One of the first things required in order to snap shots of birds is to know when and where to expect them.  A field guide for your area can be extremely helpful for this purpose, as it will tell you which birds to expect in your area in given seasons.  The next thing to do would be to study some well taken bird photos, and observe subtle details about the picture.  Notice details like the height at which the photo was taken in relation to the bird, the lighting, the focus of the bird and the background, wing position, and the background colors.  All of these things can play a part in giving the picture emotion and intimacy.

The camera you use is personal preference for the most part, although quality brands like Nikon or Canon are highly recommended.  As with binoculars, there is an astounding difference between some $50 cheapo binoculars and some excellent quality $1000 Nikon sport optic binoculars.  Most of the time, more expensive does not mean better quality, but high quality cameras, lenses, and accessories will most likely cost a pretty penny.  100-400mm lenses are commonly used amongst bird photographers, but those who are very serious about it may use a 500mm f/4 telephoto lens.  Again, it is all personal preference.

One of the most important things to keep in mind in any photo session is the lighting.  Mornings and evenings will give more dynamic conditions and will compliment bird activity, as opposed to the overly bright noon time sun.  Keep the amount of leaves in mind also; the more leaves there are, the less light there will be, and less leaves means more favorable conditions.  An easy way to increase picture quality is to get close to the birds you are going to photograph.  Remember to stay close to the ground and move very slowly, as this is a less hostile stance, and will provide a very intimate picture of birds on the ground.

Always be prepared even before you capture the picture, and keep the surroundings in mind.  Affix the right lens and filter to your camera before you approach birds because the sudden movement or light reflection may scare them off.  If the background is messy, it will take away from the bird’s natural beauty in the photograph, so try and keep the background very distant or soft.  Remember, there is a good chance that you will have to wait long periods of time to get a decent photo opportunity, or you might not get any at all.  Just plan ahead, come prepared, and be patient, and the rest will come over time.