How would you go about getting a photo of a bird?

There are different ways to go about this. For me it’s the set up that is most important.

I first look for a location where the subject (in this case the bird) can be isolated from the background. (If you have a point and shoot camera, use the flower or close up setting.) I then set up a dish of some sort to hold some seeds, which you can purchase everywhere. I think the black oiled sunflower seeds attract the most birds. 

Along with this, we need a branch about 12 inches above the dish for the bird to land on. This will require some imagination to accomplish, but can be done. I have some ideas if you would like to ask.

The tip here is that birds will land on the branch before going to the seed dish.
 
Do you need a studio to make a photograph?

A lot of photography takes place in a studio. That is the place where some professionals live. If it is fashion photography, they will use models with sophisticated set ups and elaborate lighting.  If a sport is the raison d'ètre, then the venue is the arena, either indoors or out. Both might be called a studio. In both cases, there are many variables.

The studios I prefer are out in the meadows and woods of Mother Nature, and my living room floor, with the diffused light coming in the door wall.  In these places I have more control of position and lighting.

The tip here is that you do not need a studio for good photography and to have fun.

What about children?

For me there is one major rule, get down to their level. That means squat, kneel, or lie down on the floor. Now this may be kind of hard on an elderly person (like yours truly), but let your imagination take over to figure it out. After that, be quiet, watch and listen. Let your child go to do and be whatever, you will know when the timing is right to take the shot.

The tip here is “timing is everything."

This brings me to today’s photo. It was taken in “nature's studio” near the Mackinaw Bridge, late in the day when the light is more colorful using a longish exposure to blur the waves crashing on the rocks. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did setting up and taking it.

The tip of this article is “patience yields good photos."

snapshot