HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR BIRD PHOTOS

From sharp portraits to subjects in flight, learn the tips and tricks needed to capture stunning images of our feathered friends

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PERCH PREENING Photographer Ralph Lightman’s kingfisher shot incorporates behaviour and a blurred background to make a spectacular bird portrait

Bird photography might be B considered one of the more niche genres, but it has a dedicated community of shooters, and provides the nature lovers among us with so many shooting opportunities.

Bird species come in all shapes, sizes and colours, and display such a wide range of fascinating behaviour to capture. But, while it's easy to find avian subjects in most parts of the world, in parks, gardens and reserves, birds aren't easy to photograph.

Their small size makes it a challenge to fill the frame, and while long telephoto lenses can go some way to overcoming this problem, even with the best kit you still need excellent technical skills if you want to capture sharp, tight close-ups.

Birds are, by their nature, flighty and fast-moving, so strong focusing abilities and techniques will also make it more likely that you’ll capture a sharp result. In this feature, we’ll cover top focusing techniques for tracking birds that are both stationary and in flight, and help you to understand the other key camera and lens settings you’ll need for successful images.

As well as an inside-out knowledge of the camera, bird photographers also need patience, and knowledge of natural history, which is where fieldcraft skills come in.

Over the next few pages you’ll learn, with tips from two pros, how to get nearer to subjects, how to hone your practical shooting techniques, and how get creative with composition and light. Read on, and you’ll soon be shooting stunning bird images.