Smart_Photography_-_December_2015_

Birds are always active. In order to stop
the action you need a good number of
frames per second. A camera body with
a frame rate of at least 5 fps is good to
capture the action.

Focussing is critical to the success.
A poorly focused bird ruins the
photograph. Get a camera body that
has decent number of focus points.
The more the better. Try for at least
39 focus points and above. Also, check
the number of cross focus points
available. Again, the more the better.

Here’s a good starting point with
the settings:

• Work with semi-automatic modes
  so that you don’t have to worry much
  about the settings. Use Aperture
  Priority or Shutter Priority mode.


• Use continuous auto focus mode like
  AF-C (for Nikon) or AI-Servo (for Canon).


• Use burst or high-speed continuous
  modes.


• Use zone-focusing system and select
  9-point or 21-point zone. This helps
  to keep the focus tight on the bird and
  makes the autofocus snappier.


• Use ISO-400 for action shots. If your
  camera is too noisy at ISO 400, try to

avoid shooting in low light conditions.

Test every setting thoroughly. See what

suits your style of photography the

best. Stick with it.

2. It’s All About Light
   Photography is all about light.

Do you believe it? If you said yes, then

learn to see the light. Study the light.

Embrace it. Your bird photographs

will shine.

Light has quality and direction.

The quality of light is either soft or hard.

Soft light is the early morning and early

evening light. Soft light is the best light

for bird photography because:

• It helps to bring out the beautiful and
  subtle colors.


• It has a golden glow during dawn
  and dusk.


• It casts soft shadows on the bird
  creating a subtle depth.

Hard light is rest of the day light.

During sunny days, hard light casts

unwanted shadows making it a less

favorable light for bird photography.

The direction of light is frontal, side,

or back.

Frontal light is the most favourable

light for bird photography. It’s an ideal

light to showcase the beauty of the bird.

Side light is the least favourable

light. It casts the unwanted shadow on

the bird.

Back light leads to creative

photographs. It is helpful in creating

silhouettes. It also helps in creating a

halo (rim-light) around the bird giving

it an angel look. This also helps to

separate the bird from its background.

Then there is the diffused light. It’s the

best light for portrait shots. It models

the bird perfectly. There will not be

any unwanted shadows. Diffused light

allows you to shoot the whole day.

3. Composition
   Your message should be loud and clear.

Convey your message though your

photograph with a simple but strong

composition. Composition for bird

photography is not tough at all and yet

it is often ignored.

Here are some principles of

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Smart Photography December 2015