Hummingbird on tree branch.
Last week I wrote about down time.
It's no secret that in my down time, I like to photograph the wildlife we live with here on the farm. There's plenty of it, especially deer and birds.
Over the course of time I have developed some better ways to get up close and personal for photos. I'll share those with you below, but first let's talk realistically about what you might need in the way of equipment if you decide you'd like to get into this type of photography.
It's no secret that in my down time, I like to photograph the wildlife we live with here on the farm. There's plenty of it, especially deer and birds.
Over the course of time I have developed some better ways to get up close and personal for photos. I'll share those with you below, but first let's talk realistically about what you might need in the way of equipment if you decide you'd like to get into this type of photography.
Resting Luna Moth
Equipment
Can you capture a photo of a bird or other types of wildlife with a cell phone?
Sure you can. Will it be a good photo? Well, I don't know that I can answer that unless I know exactly what type of cell phone you have, and what you are photographing.
You probably have a better chance at a respectable photo if you are an iPhone user. But even with the zoom available, unless the thing you are photographing is larger and standing still, you may not get the quality of photo you want. Larger sea birds, butterflies on flowers, deer that you can get relatively close to, might give you options for cell phone photography.
I am an android user, so there is no hope. (Ok, I am kidding.) I do understand that Samsung Galaxy S23 and above are infinitely better than my S20.
If you are serious about this type of photography, you will need an entry level camera with a zoom lens. My suggestion is buy used. There is a lot of research out there on good cameras for wildlife and bird photography. If you are on a tight budget, I would highly recommend checking out Panasonic point-and-shoot cameras, especially those with zoom capabilities to at least 300mm (some will zoom to 360 and even 400mm).
Get to Know Your Subject
If you are in a hurry, this is not the hobby for you. There is nothing hurried about photographing wildlife. In fact, it can be ho-hum, twiddle your thumbs at times. Except maybe with squirrels.
Can you capture a photo of a bird or other types of wildlife with a cell phone?
Sure you can. Will it be a good photo? Well, I don't know that I can answer that unless I know exactly what type of cell phone you have, and what you are photographing.
You probably have a better chance at a respectable photo if you are an iPhone user. But even with the zoom available, unless the thing you are photographing is larger and standing still, you may not get the quality of photo you want. Larger sea birds, butterflies on flowers, deer that you can get relatively close to, might give you options for cell phone photography.
I am an android user, so there is no hope. (Ok, I am kidding.) I do understand that Samsung Galaxy S23 and above are infinitely better than my S20.
If you are serious about this type of photography, you will need an entry level camera with a zoom lens. My suggestion is buy used. There is a lot of research out there on good cameras for wildlife and bird photography. If you are on a tight budget, I would highly recommend checking out Panasonic point-and-shoot cameras, especially those with zoom capabilities to at least 300mm (some will zoom to 360 and even 400mm).
Get to Know Your Subject
If you are in a hurry, this is not the hobby for you. There is nothing hurried about photographing wildlife. In fact, it can be ho-hum, twiddle your thumbs at times. Except maybe with squirrels.
Squirrel in Hemlock tree.
I usually spend a good portion of my time getting things used to my being around. I sit for long periods with my camera under a canopy of trees, or on a log or stump near the edge of the woods. Just sit. With animals that pass, I do nothing. Just sit. I don't feed them or talk to them. I just SIT. Animals do get used to seeing me there, and then that becomes a location I can use to photograph.
Why do I take my camera if I'm just sitting? Because I want them to see it. It's a piece of equipment not in their world. They need to get used to me as a "package," camera and all.
For birds, I use a stepladder. I place it within my 300mm proximity and sit on the top. No one should ever see a video of me climbing it with my camera. Then once again...you guessed it...I sit.
Why do I take my camera if I'm just sitting? Because I want them to see it. It's a piece of equipment not in their world. They need to get used to me as a "package," camera and all.
For birds, I use a stepladder. I place it within my 300mm proximity and sit on the top. No one should ever see a video of me climbing it with my camera. Then once again...you guessed it...I sit.
Curious deer at the edge of the woods.
She eventually came very close, well within my 300mm range.
Nature Photography
True nature photography does not permit any manmade objects in the photos. No fences, no buildings, no bird feeders, no benches, well you get the drift.
Any photo I might want to place into competition, I have to make sure is free of any manmade elements. With that in mind, I have set up my bird feeders so that there are branches birds can light on in between feeding, and I focus most of my photography there.
But, I do still like to capture birds at the feeders, just because. My feeder birds are very used to me being there. Here are some photos of birds on the feeders, on our fence, and in the tree branches above.
True nature photography does not permit any manmade objects in the photos. No fences, no buildings, no bird feeders, no benches, well you get the drift.
Any photo I might want to place into competition, I have to make sure is free of any manmade elements. With that in mind, I have set up my bird feeders so that there are branches birds can light on in between feeding, and I focus most of my photography there.
But, I do still like to capture birds at the feeders, just because. My feeder birds are very used to me being there. Here are some photos of birds on the feeders, on our fence, and in the tree branches above.
All of the above were taken with a Nikon D800 camera and 70-200mm lens. But, remember, I have already established my space with these birds and they are used to me. You need a much longer zoom for skittish wildlife. From left to right, top row: purple finch, chipping sparrow, grosbeak; bottom row: blue jay, insistent chipping sparrow (where's the food?), cardinal.
I do not use a tripod, but I position myself so I can rest my hands on my knees to combat camera shake.
My most recent escapades had me sitting on a step ladder focused on our cherry tree with a 70-300mm lens to capture some photos of birds that WERE skittish and not used to me. I had to sit for long periods to get the photos below of a cedar wax wing and a scarlet tanager. Both species LOVE fruit, and they are only visible to us during the late spring and early summer when our cherries are available. We are happy to share this tree with the birds.
I do not use a tripod, but I position myself so I can rest my hands on my knees to combat camera shake.
My most recent escapades had me sitting on a step ladder focused on our cherry tree with a 70-300mm lens to capture some photos of birds that WERE skittish and not used to me. I had to sit for long periods to get the photos below of a cedar wax wing and a scarlet tanager. Both species LOVE fruit, and they are only visible to us during the late spring and early summer when our cherries are available. We are happy to share this tree with the birds.
Cedar Wax Wing
Scarlet Tanager
The thing about sitting is, it's soothing. You get to watch so much more happen around you while sitting.
ReCap: Some Pointers
ReCap: Some Pointers
- Have the right equipment for what you want to photograph.
- Spend some time watching the habits of your subjects and sitting in the places where they will appear.
- Place your bird feeders in an area where there are available/visible (not hidden by tree) branches for birds to light on while feeding.
- Use a tripod, or position your body in such a way to keep your hands steady.
- Take a few test shots of the area where you think your subjects will appear, so you can get the correct settings prior to their appearance. Watch for changes in the light around you, and adjust accordingly.
- Try not to photograph in bright sunlight. You will lose much of the detail of your subject, or your subject will have unsightly shadows and shadowing.
- Have fun!
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