Intro
Exposure Issues
Plexiglas Issues
Getting Close-ups
Avoid Stressing the Birds
Camera Buying Advice

Getting Close-Ups

The best bird photographs are the close-ups. But close-ups are hard because the birds don't like to be close to you and are not likely to cooperate.

Obviously, you can use your camera's zoom (or a telephoto lens on a digital SLR) to try to get a close-up. Just keep in mind that you will not be able to use flash outside of your camera's flash range (and if you use it, you are likely to see glare in your photograph).

If you are using a digital camera with a higher resolution (higher number of megapixels) than you need, shoot at the highest resolution. That way you can crop your image down and still get a fairly large picture of the bird, even if you could not get close enough to fill your frame with it. This works nicely for web images, which usually are not that large anyway, but will not work so well if you want to print your image or create an image large enough for a desktop wallpaper.

Finally, you can work on your technique so that you can get physically closer to your subject:

• Making very slow, quiet, calm movements will allow you to get closer to your birds.
• Turn off your flash so you can take more pictures without startling the subject.
• Choose a willing subject: some of my birds will actually fly and land pretty close to me, even though they know I am there. Take a picture of these birds, even if they are not your real subject at the moment. You must seize the opportunities that present themselves.
• Choose a good location - position yourself at a popular perch with your camera ready. Even when trying to avoid me, sometimes my birds can't resist flying by for a moment. Wait for them to come to you and get your picture before they take off again. You can even do this with the door open (to avoid shooting through the Plexiglas) if your birds (like mine) usually don't try to fly out the door. Use millet or a popular treat/food to lure the bird to the desired location. My birds will put up with a lot when there is a fresh spray of millet at their feet.
• Enlist the help of another. If you are taking pictures at one end of the aviary, the birds are sure to be at the other end. However, if there is someone at the other end, undoubtedly they will at least fly by again. Just be very careful not to stress the birds.

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