Photographic Techniques

Bird photography presents one of the most challenging fields for any photographer and is not to be undertaken lightly. A sound knowledge of photographic techniques is essential if success is to be achieved.

Among the problems which are peculiar to this type of photography are: small size of subject, moving unco-operative objects, uncontrollable lighting, difficult terrain and unapproachability.
It should be immediately obvious from this formidable list that high-quality bird photographs require a combination of special equipment, the right choice of film, unusual techniques and infinite patience.
A whole book could be written on this but only a few brief tips can be offered here.

A good quality single-lens reflex 35mm camera with an autofocus lens of at least 300mm focal length with nothing less than f4 capability, a powerful flash and a sturdy tripod represent the minimum equipment. For locations where a tripod cannot be used, a 500mm lightweight mirror lens is an acceptable substitute. Even in bright sunlight, especially when this is directly overhead, fill flash should be used to place a catch-light in the bird's eye to make the picture come alive and bring out detail on the shadowed sections of the bird.
Colour film rated at 100 ASA is a good choice for perching or slow-moving birds, as this will permit relatively grain-free enlargements. For birds in flight, film rated at about 1000 ASA is necessary to arrest movement.

Some form of concealment, called a hide or a blind, is essential to permit the photographer to get as close as possible to the birds. Very often a motor vehicle can be used to good advantage, as birds in many areas are accustomed to living with them. To get as close as possible to a target, a very slow and steady approach should be made; the camera should be pre-mounted on a large bean bag or special window pod resting on a retracted window. All movements must be slow and smooth and no part of the body should protrude outside of the window. This technique can be successfully employed in terrain where roads border marshes or open Savannah land.

A more generally effective but time-consuming method is to set up a pre-fabricated blind (see picture above). One must be prepared to wait an hour or more inside the confined space, either sweating or shivering, to allow the birds to overcome their fear of human activity and the presence of a strange object. Sometimes it may even be necessary to set up this blind a day or two in advance to allow the birds to get accustomed to the blind.

There is much more to sucessful bird photograpy, but prehaps this will help a prospective bird photographer to decide whether or not to become involved in this expensive and painstaking but rewarding persuit.
For more details see page 4 of my book Birds of Trinidad and Tobago.

Credit must be given to my good friend Roger Neckles who helped me to develop new photographic techniques and who is now a very successful nature photographer in his own right and is available as an experienced tour guide for visitors to Trinidad and Tobago.