Photographing Birds: Art and Techniques

by Mark Sisson

Learn how to understand your camera and how to develop your own style and approach to bird photography with this practical guide

Bird photography is one of the most challenging genres of photography, and can test even modern high-specification cameras to their limits. With technical, practical, and creative insights throughout, it also emphasizes the importance of field craft and understanding your subject. Included is advice on cameras and equipment, and explanations of the importance of light and composition. Readers are encouraged to experiment and take a creative approach. As well as suggesting project ideas and locations, there are also demonstrations showing post-capture processing.

Genres: Photography, Birds

160 pages, Paperback

First published March 31, 2014

Reviews

[Lizzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t agree with all of the authors’ opinions (including on what makes a good photo) but there’s a simple overview of basic photography and some thought-provoking ideas about composition. Definitely UK-centric and for a certain audience, but a few useful things for photography dumbies like me. I liked all the images used to highlight how composition and subtle tweaks affects the photo, and how they’re not rules but just ways to get different end results.

[Miguel Acosta · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have a solid understanding and a good grasp of your dslr, along with adequate long lens technique. The tips and guidelines will aid in your bird photography.

[Przemysław · Rating 2 out of 5]

Huge disappointment. I don't believe there are people willing to take bird photos without the basic knowledge about photography itself. And if they are, they can easily find other books or basic tutorials. This book should be solely about BIRD photography, not about ISO, white balance or basic Lightroom post processing. For me this book had less than 20 pages of real, useful content. I would not recommend it.

[Mike Eccles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books where I thought “oh I know about that, but I’ll look to see if there’s anything new”. The reality is that this slim volume covers the subject very well with all sorts of ideas and tips that can make a lot of difference to a photographer’s approach. Despite doing my best with bird photographs for many years, the author gave me several insights that I am enjoying putting into practice. Immediate improvements have come about!

[Elle C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful book, of course the photography is amazing since that’s what it’s about. Borrowed from PPL for drawing references. The book was too difficult to hold for sighting method of composing the drawing for 20/20 (20 min of drawing 20 days in a row), but flipped through it anyway, since the photos were incredible.

[Mark Nenadov · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty solid resource, though if you are familiar with the basics of SLR photography and have read a nature photography book before, most of this will be review. Beside the review, I found the composition advice most helpful.