Tips for Better Bird Photography with Judy Malloch

*Please scroll to the bottom of the post for more images from our guest.*

Tips for Better Bird Photography
with Judy Malloch

Judy’s Top Tips

• Make room for the bird to leave the frame.
• Don’t clip anything from the bird -wingtips, tail, etc. - but you CAN crop for a close-up of the head.
• Use proper depth of field to keep the whole bird in focus, but most especially the eye. (Artistically Subjective)
• Have a plan in mind when setting up.
• Get as close to eye level as possible.
• Move back for a better angle when shooting upwards with a long lens.
• Use teleconverters to get the most length from your lenses.
• Don’t do anything to stress the birds, especially if they are nesting with babies. Watch their body language and be respectful.
• Keep your subject as clear as possible. Don’t allow background/horizon objects to cut through the head or beak of the bird.
• You are in control of where you’re standing. Move to get the best background elements.
• The golden hour is always the best light, no matter what environment you’re in.
• Try to get even lighting on your subject - avoid the mottled light under a tree canopy. Bright and dark spots can take your eye away from the subject.
• Keep your horizon level.

“Birds tell us a lot. There’s so much to learn in wildlife, the love

and interactions are incredible.”

Judy’s Gear

• Nikon 300 f/2.8 - fast, sharp, able to handhold
• Nikon D850 Full Frame 45 Megapixel - “The best camera I’ve ever had.”
• Gimbal Head - you need something that will move.
• Recommended lenses:

- Canon 100-400: a great overall wildlife lens

- Nikon 200-500: a good telephoto

- Sigma 150-600: a light long lens, able to handhold

* a 500-600 is recommended for hummingbirds*

Birds in Flight

• PRACTICE. Practice with the slowest birds you can find.
• Stay at a distance so you can follow them and keep them in focus. If you’re standing right in front of the bird as it takes off, all you get are butt-shots.
• Learn to anticipate take-offs. Watch the birds’ body language and learn their behaviors.
• Think about the shot you want to get and be prepared for it.

Settings

• Learn to shoot in manual.
• Set a fast shutter speed - especially if shooting for action.
• Then set f-stop or ISO.
• When shooting birds in flight - if the bird moves into a lighter or darker area, roll the dial to change the f-stop. (ISO takes too long to change.)
• Keep your focus point on the eye.
• Use automatic, center square focus and continuous focus mode (AFC on Nikon).

Now or Later?

• Do the best you can in-camera with lighting, exposure, and composition.
• If entering the image in a contest, all they will allow are cropping and adjustments in levels, curves, and sharpening.

Finding Judy

NaturesTapestryJLM.com

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