Better Bird Photography in 1 Minute – Here’s How!

With these simple tips, you can instantly improve your bird photography in just 1 minute.

Contents

1. Photograph at the bird’s eye level
2. Wear clothes that can get dirty
3. Keep the background simple and distant
4. Now it’s your turn!
5. FAQ – Common Questions About Bird Photography

Are your bird photos not turning out as you imagined?
Is the background too busy, the bird not standing out, or the image lacking impact?

Don’t worry!
With these quick and easy tricks, you can improve your bird photography instantly—without complicated techniques or hours of practice.

1. Photograph at the Bird’s Eye Level

This is a tip you’ll hear often—and for good reason!
The best bird photos happen when you position yourself at eye level with the bird. This makes the image feel more natural and creates a stronger connection with the viewer.

How to do it quickly?

• Get low—crouch or lie down to match the bird’s height.
• Use natural height differences, such as hills or embankments, to align yourself with the bird.
• If Shoot you shoot from inside a car, keep the camera angle as level as possible with your subject.

2. Wear Clothes That Can Get Dirty

This tip goes hand in hand with the first one. To quickly get into the right position, wear clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty.

• Wear old clothing that you won’t hesitate to soil.
• Use a mat or knee pad if you prefer to avoid direct contact with the ground.
• If you’re too worried about staying clean, you might miss the perfect shot.

If you hesitate to kneel or lie down, you’ll lose many great photography opportunities!

3. Keep the Background Simple and Distant

A busy background can distract from the subject and make the image feel cluttered. Nature is rarely perfect, but with a few tricks, you can make your photos more harmonious.

How to achieve this:

• Use a wide aperture (e.g., f/2.8, f/4, or f/6.3 for most 600mm zoom lenses) to blur the background as much as possible.
• Change your position if necessary to eliminate distracting elements.
• If that’s not possible, use foreground elements creatively—such as branches or rocks—to frame the bird naturally.
• Tip #1 also helps! Shooting on a level plane with the bird increases the distance between your subject and the background, creating a softer blur compared to a downward angle.

Now It’s Your Turn!

Try these tricks right away—you’ll instantly notice an improvement in your bird photography.

Have you already experimented with these techniques?
Share your experience in the comments!

FAQ – Common Questions About Bird Photography

What lens should I use for bird photography?

A telephoto lens with at least 400mm focal length is ideal, with 600mm being even better.

How can I photograph birds up close without scaring them away?

If you’re a beginner still getting used to camera settings, start in controlled environments like parks or cemeteries, where birds are accustomed to people and easier to approach.

In the wild, you should:

• Let the birds come to you instead of chasing them.
• Stay low and camouflaged.
• Be patient.

We’ll cover this topic in more detail in another guide.

What’s the best time of day for bird photography?

Birds are most active in the early morning and late evening, and the light is softer during these times.

Midday light tends to be harsh, which can be challenging—unless you want to experiment with black-and-white photography and strong shadows.