Bird Photography And A New Camera
A waddle of King penguins on a beach on South Georgia Island.
Avian or bird photography is one of the most challenging disciplines a photographer can pursue.
Being small, the subjects are usually quick moving, shy and somewhat protective of their personal space.
Because we’re unable to direct the subject in question we have to rely on it being nearby and/or within the range of our lens. It also needs to be appropriately illuminated.
By comparison portrait photography seems so much easier.
At least with people you often have the opportunity to control the photos by doing the following:
Move them into good lighting
Position them against an appropriate background
Provide basic directions as to where and how they should look
If you need them to open their eyes you simply have to ask. It’s not so easy with avian photography.
I find that, when it comes to photographing strangers, the entire process usually doesn’t take me more than a minute or two.
I photographed this waddle of King penguins as they made their way up on to the relative shelter of a beach on South Georgia Island.
A very shallow Depth Of Field (DOF) allowed me to isolate the main subject from the rest of the group.
The light was quite low in the sky. That made it easier to emphasize the water droplets on the leading bird’s feathers and to illuminate its eye.
It’s these kinds of minute details that are especially important in avian photography.
About To Travel?
Nothing Succeeds Like Excess
Avian photography is not my speciality and I wouldn’t describe myself as a great bird photographer. Here’s why:
I’ve done very little bird photography
I’m no exactly fascinated by birds
Camera kits I’ve owned over the years have not been ideal for avian photography
I don't have the passion to explore animal behavior at anything more than a fundamental level
While you might read the above as a quite damning admission it’s really just a statement of fact.
Just because I’m not the world’s best avian photographer doesn’t mean I can’t make great bird photos, every now and again.
While I’ve spent years and invested enormous amounts of time and money into my photography I’ve only tried my hand at avian photography on a couple of occasions.
As a result I may never develop a substantial and diverse portfolio of bird images.
I’m okay with that, because it’s just not where my heart is or who I am. And the same is true for my architectural photography.
I photograph buildings and have an appreciation for the design and beauty of both historic and contemporary buildings.
But because I don’t live and breathe architectural photography I’m not going to be regarded as one of the great photographers in that field.
But I’m competent and I know more than enough to help other folks explore their passion in these specific fields of photography.
My passion in photography lies in other areas, in particular:
People photography
Landscape photography
Avian photography with a colony of King penguins on South Georgia Island.
Where Does Your Passion Lie?
As a creative being it’s important to consider where your own passion lies.
In the world of the specialist passion, commitment and a laser focus are paramount to success, whether that be creative or financial.
I have substantial experience in portrait and landscape photography, though I do enjoy photographing a wide range of subjects across a variety of photography genres.
While I brand myself as a travel photographer, I consider myself to be generalist.
After all travel photography can involve all manner of subjects including people, landscapes, buildings and wildlife.
What’s more decades of industry experience, including many years as a dedicated photography tutor, means that I’m able to appreciate the needs of aspiring photographers.
I made this photo featuring members of a photography tour overlooking a large colony of penguins on Salisbury Plain on the spectacular South Georgia Island.
As my friends were large in the frame and dressed in quite colorful clothing I decided it was best to render the scene into black and white.
I think is was a good choice as it seems to bed them down, into the landscape, and also emphasizes the tonal and textural relationships within the image.
It also means that I’m well situated to provide them with actionable information to make the photos they most want to.
I’m more than capable of approaching photography from a technical level, but would never dream of teaching it that way.
Your camera is a tool, which needs to be understood so that you can instruct it to serve your creative needs.
But as the maker of the image you’re the one, the only one, who can control the photos you make.
Otherwise they wouldn’t be your photos.
You might have the best pots and pans in the world. Good luck to you. But they didn’t cook your dinner. You did! And that’s because you were in control of the process.
It’s important that you learn to use your camera in the same way.
Two King penguins on a summer's day on spectacular South Georgia Island.
Dream Big, But Start Real
Whenever I make a good image I want to do more. What does that tell you? We are motivated by successful outcomes.
I was so lucky to be running a photography tour that included several zodiac inflatable boat landings on the wildlife haven of South Georgia Island.
It’s a spectacular location with an abundance of King penguins, seals and elephant seals.
I moved off the beach, where there was an abundance of wildlife, and found these two King penguins chatting away to each other.
I laid down on the ground and photographed upwards. This simple technique allowed me to monumentalize the penguins against the spectacular mountain background.
When it comes to photography being prepared and choosing to photograph scenes and subjects that are not terribly challenging is a good approach for the beginner.
Build on your success, over time, with more difficult assignments.
Compare that with the person who buys their first decent digital camera, a day or so before an important event or adventure.
Examples that come to mind include the following:
Child’s school concert
Overseas skiing holiday
Pushkar Camel Fair
Is it any wonder so many folks become frustrated by their inability to master the technology associated with their new camera?
As a result they come home disappointed with the photos they’ve made. Please, don’t be that person.
We Create Our Own Reality
As creative beings we’re just as responsible for our failures as we are for the successes we experience along the journey.
We are all intelligent and talented, but how often do we make decisions that set us up for failure?
What a low opinion of ourselves we must have to make the kind of choices that set us up to fail?
That’s why it’s important to choose a positive mindset and engage in healthy and creative pursuits like photography.
King penguins are, so far, my favourite subjects for avian photography.
I hope photography provides you with an abundance of fun and a great way to explore you own creativity.
Of course, while not all photos we make are portfolio standard, there’s still value in doing so.
This photo was made from a zodiac inflatable boat on my way back from an avian photography adventure to Salisbury Plain on South Georgia Island in the southern Atlantic Ocean.
It’s not a great photo but I think it works because of good timing and because of the scale between the little penguins and our tour ship, the Polar Pioneer, in the background.
Avian photography can be a demanding hobby. But it can also be extremely rewarding and the harder you work at it the more rewards will follow.
But be careful not to kill your chance for joy and creative exploration with unrealistic expectations or by being sucked into photographing jobs you’re either unable or unwilling to complete.
Likewise, when it comes to embarking on your next big trip, be careful about that brand new camera you’ve just purchased.
It may be a technological marvel and, potentially, the tool that will unlock your creative genius.
However, without understanding how to use it a match made in photography heaven will become a relationship that, all too quickly, becomes unreconcilable.
You didn’t buy that camera for it to live its life, unloved and unused, in the bottom of a cupboard.
Your camera is your passport to creative freedom, but only when you learn how to use it and understand its role in the creative process.
When it comes to making great photos, it’s important to remember the following:
“Camera’s don’t make photos, people do.”
Whatever it is you decide to do to improve your photography and tap into your creativity please make a start.
That way you’ll be better able to make the most of great avian photography opportunities on your next adventure.
