Photographing birds

Birds can be one of the most rewarding and frustrating forms of photography, they are always on the move, fast, small and extremely skittish.

I do however have a couple of tips that can make your life a little easier when it comes to photographing birds.

Patience is probably key, you will be waiting for long periods at a time and you will definitely miss a lot of shots, yet with patience you will eventually get the shot you want.

You need direct sunlight for a clear sharp image, as birds are continuously on the move and demand good light.

Be still and wait for the bird to approach you, the closer the bird is, the sharper your image and the more still you are the more chance you have of it approaching you.

Your camera will have to be set on continuous / rapid shooting, out of 10 frames you may get one really good photo.

Remember focusing on the eye.

Capture action, a bird in flight, eating or bathing is always more interesting. Unless you have colour on your side, colour always makes up for lack of action.

Birds are incredible to photograph, they will test your patience and ability...but always remember to just enjoy it.

Wildlife for beginners 2/2

wildlife for beginners continued will deal with understanding wildlife, their movements and composition (framing the animal). How to use these to your advantage and create simple yet beautiful wildlife portraits.

Why is it necessary to understand what you shooting? well by understanding certain animal behaviours you will be able to predict their movement. Animal behaviour is key to capturing that perfect photo, and if you cannot predict or anticipate their movements, the possibility is that you most probably will miss the shot.

The best way to learn is to observe; it means spending time with animals, watching animal documentaries, or researching wildlife photographers.

Animals move and interact, it is that movement and interaction that makes your image a little more interesting; be it a couple of zebra drinking at the watering hole, two giraffe crossing necks or animals eating, playing, biting, chasing, jumping, flying etc.

The direction the animal faces can change an image completely, and leaving directional space in your photograph gives your otherwise normal/generic image a bit of depth.

Wildlife for the beginner 1/2

Usually when asking my students which form of photography they prefer the most, 8 out of 10 times it will be wildlife. I don't blame anyone for loving wildlife photography, because as a subject they are flawless in behaviour and emotion, brilliantly photogenic.

There are however a couple of tips for the beginner enthusiast I would like to share.

(All photographs were taken in the Pilanesberg National Park, South Africa)

Firstly, respect the wildlife and if on a safari with a guide, respect the guide. It is quite understandable that you want the best shot possible, but remember you are limited by what the animal or guide is permitting. For instance, when shooting, use the available light, don't shoot with flash as it will irritate the animal. 

Secondly, because you are limited to the animals movements, you need patience and a lot of shots. You can wait for hours to get the right image or you may only have a moment to capture an image. Your camera should always be set to fire multiple shots in a moment, especially when it comes to an animal in motion.

"The light of the body is the eye: If therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shalbe full of light." Matthew 6:22 KJV (1611)

Thirdly, capture the eyes, as they are the windows to the soul.

Usually when shooting wildlife you are shooting with a telephoto lens and a wide aperture, leaving you with an extremely narrow depth of field, so if all you keep in complete focus is a small part of the animal, let it be the eye (90% of the time)

Remember to have fun, and if you did not get the shot, there is always a next time.

Travel photography

Before travelling what is the one thing you make sure you don't forget to pack? your camera. It does not matter if you are a professional, amateur, beginner or just someone who wants to capture their holiday, most people love taking photographs of their holiday.

The photographs included were taken while in Swaziland and Dubai.

So where does one start? with the camera. If you have an SLR camera I must be honest and say you are a little better off than the person equipped only with a compact. This however does not mean you will not get incredible images, you will just be slightly limited.

For instance, I never suggest using "compact zoom" as it lowers your image quality considerably. Whereas with a SLR you have the ability to interchange your lenses, from wide to long and even faster lenses when needed. When travelling I find using a 200mm / f2.8 the most effective; it gets in nice and tight without bothering the subject and allows for low light opportunities.

The reason I love travel photography is because I get to mix it up a bit, from people to buildings, from landscape to indigenous wildlife and the list can go on. You get to capture your experience as the traveller as well as the lifestyle of the locals.

I have two suggestions; firstly respect the locals and the country you are visiting, you are a guest. Secondly you do not have to be in every photograph. The people who you will be sharing the photographs with know you were there and will most probably appreciate the photographs more if you were not in every one of them.

Travel safe and enjoy capturing memories.