An eye for
the birds
hen you see a bird, do you really see it? I
ask because it’s perfectly possible to go
t h rough l ife w it h a n a l most tot a l
disregard for birds. Some people
positively dislike them –
something about their beaks
perhaps, or their feathers? Most
Ǖǔ ǔů[*ǓǕ
us do show at least some interest
in the avian world and – thanks to
social media – there seems to be a
growing number of bird
photographers opening our eyes to
these treasures. In fact, the chance to
share my images easily and to learn from
others on Instagram and elsewhere hasrek i nd led i n me a n i nterest i n bi rds t hat wa ned du r i ng my
20s and early 30s. Without the buzz of uploading the
Ǖ
ǕǓǕ ů
Ǖ ħ
as a result, not have rediscovered the joy of birdwatching.
I’m not an expert – either in birds (although I’m
beginning to hold my own with those who are) or
photography. I’ve only recently worked out how to use the
manual focus on my Nikon camera, but I do have a strong
sense of what I think is beautiful and a passion for birds that
has its roots in childhood. What I lack in expertise, I make
up for in enthusiasm, and here I hope to explain and
illustrate how to become a chronicler of the breathtaking
beauty on our doorstep and beyond. If I can do it, so
perhaps can you. At a time of ecological crisis it is essential
to remi nd each ot her of t he preciousness of t he nat u ra l
ħǕ
Ǖ Ǖ
ů[Want to take your best ever shots of our feathered
friends? All you need is a little camera know-how
and a lot of enthusiasm, as top twitcher and avian
photographer Matthew Stadlen sets out to prove...
W
BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY
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