Introduction to bird photography: equipment and techniques

Even though a lot of our favorite birds have moved to warmer climes during the cold season, winter is a particularly good time of year to lure the remaining native bird species in front of the lens. In bare trees and especially in front of a white snowy landscape, they stand out and make for impressive pictures. Anyone who has already done a bit of wildlife photography will certainly already know many of the details to look out for, but even complete beginners can quickly take great bird photos with the necessary patience, a little skill and a few tit rings.

The right equipment

Bird photography is not an easy field and can prove to be quite strenuous. If you want to take good photos of sometimes rare or shy birds, you sometimes have to go on long hikes or stay in a shelter for hours. In order not to make the photo adventure unnecessarily strenuous and to make it as easy as possible for yourself, you should purchase good equipment early on.

The most important piece of equipment for bird photography is without question a high-quality super-telephoto lens, as this is the only way to take good pictures without having to get too close to the birds and disturbing or even scaring them away. A telephoto lens with a focal length of at least 300 mm is suitable here, although a teleconverter can also be used to further increase the focal length and can simply be screwed between the camera and lens. It is also essential to have a good, safe and stable tripod with which you can take sharp, blur-free shots. Especially if you are planning to go on longer hikes in search of the right bird, you should definitely pay attention to the weight of the tripod and opt for a particularly lightweight version.

When it comes to cameras, a wide variety of DSLR and mirrorless system cameras are suitable for bird photography and you can base your choice on what you may already own or what is compatible with the telephoto lens of your choice. A good autofocus and a high ISO range are important in order to obtain sharp images even in low light conditions.

Other accessories that can be useful when photographing birds include warm, weatherproof clothing and possibly a camouflage tent or camouflage clothing, which will help you to be less likely to be spotted by the birds and therefore be able to photograph them more discreetly. A remote shutter release can also be useful, as it avoids the risk of possible camera shake caused by pressing the shutter release.

Important techniques

As in any other genre, there are a handful of special features in bird photography that you should bear in mind when taking pictures in order to get the most out of them. First of all, there is the shutter speed, which should be set particularly fast in this genre, making it possible to capture fast-moving birds on film and capture them in motion. A particularly long focal length also makes it possible to photograph the birds from a greater distance and thus not disturb them.

Bird photographers generally work with autofocus, as they have to react quickly. This should be set to the bird's eyes, which ensures sharp images. A large aperture (i.e. a small f-number) makes it possible to get more light onto the sensor in bird photography and thus ensures a shallower depth of field. Under certain circumstances, this can be used specifically to make the bird, as the center of the image, stand out particularly well from its background. A high ISO value can help in particularly poor lighting conditions, although there is a risk of excessive image noise as an undesirable side effect.

Getting to know the biology is worthwhile

Especially those who have been photographing birds for some time and have been able to get many a native bird in front of the camera will probably become increasingly interested in photographing very specific birds and specifically looking for their whereabouts. A good level of biological knowledge is essential for this. In order to find the coveted birds, you should not only be familiar with their appearance, song and habits, but also be able to identify the trees in which they prefer to roost.

In general, bird-rich areas such as nature reserves are particularly suitable for observing and photographing large numbers of birds. Special birdwatching towers can also offer a real advantage, as they give you a good overview of a wide area and allow you to wait inconspicuously and protected for your favorite bird to visit. Especially in winter, the few birds that hibernate in our latitudes can be observed particularly well at feeding sites to which they fly in flocks.

The early bird catches the worm

If you want to immerse yourself in the enchanting world of feathered creatures, you have to take the old adage to heart, because at no other time of day are birds as active as in the early hours of the morning. The calm atmosphere is the best time to hear their songs and to spot and photograph most of them. The soft morning light also comes in handy for any photographer and helps to create impressive shots.

Regardless of the time of day, it is important to pay attention to the well-being of the animals and respect their habitat. To do this, you should not disturb or frighten the animals, adhere to the general rules of nature conservation and leave no trace in nature reserves and other natural environments.

Discover the perfect equipment for your bird photography! In the Oberwerth Shop you will find high-quality half cases, camera bags and photo backpacks that reliably protect and stylishly transport your camera and equipment. Whether you're out in nature for hours on end or looking for the perfect shot on long hikes - our well thought-out designs offer comfort and functionality. Take a look and equip yourself for your next photographic expedition into the fascinating world of birds!

Conclusion

Anyone who is interested in animals, enjoys being outdoors in nature and at the same time likes handling a camera and lenses will probably be interested in bird photography sooner or later. This requires quite an investment, especially to get started, as nothing works without a high-quality telephoto lens. However, if you have one, you can start looking for suitable motifs in your own surroundings and will have plenty to discover in the colorful world of birds. Getting up early and studying the biology of birds in depth pays off and helps to create impressive images. The cold season with its particularly wide visibility can be a great time to make your first attempts at bird photography.