What I wish I knew when I first started Bird Photography 

If you could tell something to yourself when you first started bird or wildlife photography, what would you say? Let me know in the comments! 👇

For some kind of birds, birds of prey in general, I wake up at 3 o'clock in the morning, because I want to go in the spot before them, and because I don't want to be seen 😁

You crack me up getting distracted by that cockcoo bird. I’m also easily distracted by birds! I’ve been to known to stop a conversation to check out a bird and rant to a non birder about what I’m seeing! I just can’t help myself!

I agree about repetition. I've been to some spots so many times, I think the birds know my face by now!

One option not mentioned here (in this video) for bird photography is to bring the birds to you instead of you driving a long distance to get to where the birds might normally “hang out”. If you live in an urban environment, try putting out a bird feeder (or 2) to entice birds to your backyard. The longer you install and maintain these feeders, the more birds that will learn about where to come for a free meal. Of course, taking pictures of a bird sitting on (or clinging to) a commercial bird feeder is not going to produce the most amazing photos of that particular bird. To avoid this downfall, one just needs to do a bit of planning. Some possibilities include: (1) Place the feeder near a relatively small tree. Birds usually like to fly to a perch near the feeding area to "check out the surroundings" before continuing to fly (the remaining short distance) to the feeder (or feeding area). Take the photo once the bird has landed in the tree, and before it goes to the feeding area. With a bit of practice in composing the shot, a person who later views the photo will swear that it must have been taken in the "wilds" of an expansive national park. (2) The above technique can be refined even further. To entice the birds into a "tree" type environment for your photo(s), one can essentially make their own tree. Do this by finding a relatively small tree branch with smaller branches extending from it. Stand this tree branch upright near the feeding area and anchor the base to the ground. This can be done by digging out a small hole in the ground and placing the tree limb base in it. If the branch is still too "wobbly", dig the hole deeper and/or add some rocks at the base of the branch to help with the anchoring. Once in place, this tree branch will provide a perch for the birds to come to before proceeding to the feeder (or feeding area). One could also (possibly) use a xmas tree stand to anchor the branch in one location. (3) The technique in number 2 (above) can be enhanced in the following way. If the tree branch is sufficiently large enough, one can drill (and/or cut) out a concave/hollow area (i.e., a hole) on the branch in an area that will not show in the photos. Place some bird seed into this hole to attract more birds to the tree branch to feed. It might take a few days, but eventually the birds will recognize the fact that there is food to be had at the tree branch without proceeding to the feeder. As the birds come to feed at the tree branch, watch to see if they have a favorite/convenient landing spot as they arrive. If so, put the camera on a tripod, adjust your camera settings as desired, and focus on this spot on the branch. When a bird (worthy of a photograph) does arrive, some minor adjustments to the focus may/will be needed, but for the most part you are completely ready to take the photograph without wasting a moment; a moment in which the bird might change position, or fly away. I hope these suggestions prove useful to the viewers of this video. Thanks for reading my long comment.

I stumbled upon your channel today and wholeheartedly concur with your views on social media. It often gives the impression that one must possess top-notch equipment, capture flawless shots consistently, and adhere strictly to all the rules. Personally, I relish the simple joy of taking photos. It's a delightful learning journey for me, pushing me to familiarize myself further with my camera. I'll certainly be tuning into your videos from now on. Keep up the commendable work, and thank you for sharing your insights.

Excellent advice, I am glad I watched this, I was discouraged thinking I will never be able to afford a really super zoom lens and I don't have to.

Things I do now that I wish I knew back at the beginning : 1: learn bird behaviour - the "dip" in body before they take off or how some species clearly don't like each other and will chase / attack / harass , there's so much of this behaviour to learn but it's good for predicting movements for action shots :) 2: don't pack up in harsh light - head into the forests when the light is harsh , always some nice sunbeams shining thru the trees to photograph ;) 3: definitely don't be afraid to get dirty and get down on the belly to get those low level shots ! I always laugh at my friends saying " oh he's in sniper mode again " when I hit the deck to get a shot lol 4: Have fun and don't get hung up on craving likes and shares, do it for yourself - always :)

Despite having pursued photography for only three years , you share the wisdom of a photographer with many more years of practice. Thank you for your insights.

point 1 is the best pointer. its a must do. in the UK you go out at 10-11am the activity is almost nothing unless its a controlled area etc, What i also learned and its changing me is the environmental shots, i love the colours, shapes, story, so i now keep an eye out for lovely shots of where i am, with no birds in at all, so its a win win. great Points.subbed and belled

Excellent video, all things I wish i had known when I started. My advice to myself when starting out is to photograph EVERY bird, not just the 'exciting' or rare ones. Firstly you get more practice so when the 'exciting' bird turns up you know what to do, and I would rather have a good photo of a common bird than a poor photo of a glamorous bird. You shouldn't rely on the rarity or exoticness of the bird to make your photo interesting.

super helpful! One thing I learned is just go and shoot even if alone. Don't worry about what other people think.

Hey Chiara, I just dropped by to say that you channel was instant revelation for me. I'm almost 100% positive that you have done some teaching before because of the extreme ease that you manage to put all those tips into well condensed sentences that are not boring at all. Your content is very well organised and the presentation side gives it even more edge. I hope that you will keep posting here for some time in the future. Keep up the good work!

Great advice! Thanks for taking me along!

I think photography goes in cycles. Everybody has shot the super closeup shots for quite a while now. So as to separate their work from other people's work they have started pushing the idea of the wide shots that incorporate the surroundings or habitat. Everybody will jump on board and will do this for years, and then they will go back to doing the close-ups again years down the road. Photographers always have to find a way to separate themselves from the herd, especially if they are going to try and make a living being one.

Some very good points here, especially the one about using and including more of the surroundings rather than trying (fighting) to fill the frame with the bird.

I'm so pleased I came across your channel. I've really enjoyed your video. Negative space in an image is very important as it tells a better story than just taking an image of a bird and like you say if hives one a chance to become more creative in their photography. I look forward to watching more of your amazing videos. Thank you.

Great advise! Thank you ❤

Small in the frame is the new bird on a stick!

Such a helpful and encouraging video, thank you :)

Thanks Chiara, I loved your video and it was super helpful. Everything you said makes total sense & I feel more hopeful about my skill level improving now 😊

Thank you for the great advice. Totally agree!

Great and relevant advice. I especially like the part where you encourage others to take environmental shots and not to focus on pleasing those on social media. Our images will stay with us, while viewers will come and go.

All good advice! Thanks!

As a photographer for now 50 years everything she sed is 100% correct. and adding a couple more... People that go out more and work it get better shots. Pants with bult in kneepads are awesome! When scouting high trees = not so good; low trees = awesome Get a used semipro DSLR like a D7100 instead of cheap mirrorless cameras the lag the cheap mirrorless will drive you nuts.

Thank you for the time and the video I learned a lot quickly! I really appreciate the straight to the point style and the common sense throughout the video

These are all excellent tips and suggestions. Well done!

Awesome video. Very easy to understand. I love it! Excellent tips.

Thanks Chiara,,,,enjoyed your points made especially about the environment shots to consider.....

Beautiful work

Beautiful birding video. I'm learning and still get frustrated. Thank you for the information. We've been birding for about 35 years but more now since we have more time.😊

Thanks for shareing your thoughts, very helpfull !

Beautifully communicated!

Thanks for shareing your thoughts, very helpfull !😀

Amazing tips. Thank you so much

Thanks for the informative video. 🙏

Brilliant talk.

Ciao Chiara! È la prima volta che vedo un tuo video. Bel lavoro!

I like your new approach to how your thinking... and your pictures are different to the usual wildlife photographer. Awesome pictures.. well done

this nature it's beautiful

Thank you Chiara! I am glad to have found your channel. I'm new to bird photography and look forward to learning more from your experiences. Subscribed and ready for more!

Excellent video. I myself am always obsessed with getting the bird big in the frame but I need to start doing what your talking about and photographing birds in the natural surroundings.

Your pictures are beautiful. Great tips too.

I really enjoyed your video! I can see your enthusiasm in your face for the love of birding!!! I love "PHOTOGRAPHY" period!!! Bird photography is just one phase. As with any other type of photography you have to look for the right composition. For example making sure your subject is looking into the scene and not out of it!!! Always making sure the eyes are sharp!!! I love landscape photography, and macro!!!! Lol I always have something to take photos of!!! New subscriber to your amazing channel!!!

Some excellent thoughts Chiara ... I agree (being a new photographer) about perspective and composition, giving the story of the bird instead of just the bird. New subscriber - Mike

nice video and good tips!

Just started with bird photography 3 weeks ago. This are really nice tips. I already tried to follow the first and third tip on my trips before the video. So for me especially the second and fourth tip were really great. I did exactly what you said in the second tip. I Always tried to get as close as possible, but I loved your fotos with all the surounding and just a small bird. So I will go try that too. The 4th tip is really good too. At the moment I was just on two Locations. One is a really small "bird nature reserve" and I thought that would be a good start. But as you say in the video some places have tons of birds but you cant see them. (The reserve is fully fenced in) But I have seen a lot of potential woodpecker holes there from the official way. So it could be a really nice place to come again at mating time. My main place at the moment is a small bathing lake and I already see the point of going to the same location more often. But I will take the video with me and explore even more places. :) To exploring places, do you think I should do it early in the morning too, or is it fine to do this in the middle of the day? :)

First, your points are good and i will use them. The 2nd advice was useful and i learned from you.

Hi there... your photography is amazing ..very creative as well❤🇨🇦📸❤️

Very good reminders! Thanks for your tips. New subscriber

Very useful information. I may add, for starting out especially. Be premeditated. Dont try to spread your budget to cover all possible focal lengths etc. Rather, get the best lens you can afford for the type of shot you are most likely to go after. Then plan your trips so that you go after those types of shots. For birds, this usually means you need reach. Forget about covering the other focal lengths then. Also, spend time to learn the habits etc of the birds you are after. It helps you with anticipating behaviour etc.

I💚The Insights and The Riverbed View While bird watching if we come across animals in the field, do we capture them or take cover?

Hi...I realy love birds 'cause u

very informative video! liked and subscribed

Thank you very much for your videos, I really enjoy your content. Something I wish I new sooner was not to worry so much about a low iso as much as an adequate shutter speed. I like to set my camera default to manual, iso auto (max 1600) ss 1/640 f lowest possible and adjust from there.

Oh man I would tell myself so many things. But first I would go back and buy a good pair of binoculars from the start for sure. And yes, I will tell myself it's okay to take fotos to include surrounding vs just a portrait foto 😅

Ottimi consigli per dei principianti! Complimenti per il video!

Wow... you've got the 'bird thing' bad. Great video and enjoyable discussion. I really like the emphasis you've placed on what you call 'environmental' shots. I felt that the examples you illustrated it with were outstanding - i loved them. Some of them contained a device - for lack of a better term - that i appreciate in any photo: the surprise element that materializes when you look at the photo, but that is not immediately apparent (especially as 'subject' or 'the point' of the image). I'm just starting with bird photography - most of what i do is environmental (landscape of various types), the intersection between the human and the non-human, and industrial. Birds are in a lot of places i go (and live), but i have neither the gear nor the depth of knowledge to get satisfactory images. That'll change... but it sure is a steep learning curve! Many thanks - Lkd&Subd - all the best from a cabin in a swamp in a rainforest in Aotearoa-New Zealand.

I laughed out loud at stop taking a photo of a bird on the ground or water casually, just stop! Of course I get low when possible, but one thing I’ve found is to get farther away when you have to shoot over grasses or reeds is better than shooting straight down. It gives the illusion you were lower and more level with the subject. Love the channel!

Ive been thinking if im held back by focal length, but i think i hv plenty at 600. Its more about me than the kit.

very informative video!

You crack me up getting distracted by that cockcoo bird. I’m also easily distracted by birds! I’ve been to known to stop a conversation to check out a bird and rant to a non birder about what I’m seeing! I just can’t help myself!