Suggested Reading:
• Art of Bird Photography: The Complete Guide to Professional Field Techniques by Arthur Morris

• Digital Nature Photography: The Art and the Science by John and Barbara Gerlach


1. Do Your Homework
• Understand your subject's migration patterns and seasonal differences. This will prove extremely helpful for when you decide to go out on your shoot.

• If you want practice, try photographing seagulls. Gulls can be found almost anywhere, they are large, and they like to do interesting things. They're great for practicing bird photography.


2. Equipment
• It will be difficult to get close to your subjects in bird photography, so it is almost essential that you have a good zoom. You may need to buy a nicer lens. However, you may notice it is not necessarily you that needs to be close to the birds, but rather, the camera. Because of this, if you have a remote shutter for your camera, try using it! It can prove helpful for getting closer shots.


3. Timing
• Besides understanding the seasonal behavior of your subject, like all types of photography, timing is extremely important. The time of day will affect which subjects are out and how much light there will be. The time of year will also determine which species and weather. It is worth considering the timing of your shoot before going out.

• Also, if trying to capture action photos of your subject, you will have to practice your timing for action shots. For more advice on this, go to Sports Photography Tips. Lead your subject!


4. Finding Blinds
• By finding blinds, you can get much closer to your subject, providing great shots with higher sharpness and better contrast. Also, once you are in cover, your subject is more likely to act in a natural manner, not having to be nervous around a human presence.

• Although you can find permanent blinds in various parks and use other things (i.e.: trees, brush, etc.) as blinds, one highly overlooked blind is your personal car. The car will not make the subjects nervous, but after a minute or two, will get settled again since there is no human presence.


5. Always be Prepared
• Like in sports photography, always being ready and aware of your surroundings may results in great, unexpected shots. Be prepared to capture your subject at all times, and only by being constantly prepared (pre-focus too!) will you be capable of capturing that fleeting moment.