Mastering Bird Photography by Read, Marie -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Cover Title Copyright Contents Foreword Introduction Chapter 1 Getting Started in Bird Photography

Be There Be Prepared Be Aware Be Lucky RAW Power! Basic Photography Concepts

Chapter 2 Equipment Essentials

Cameras for Bird Photography Lenses for Bird Photography Tripods and Other Supports Accessories Into the Field

Chapter 3 Focusing and Image Sharpness

The Autofocus System Basic Settings: Shutter Speed, Aperture, and ISO Long-Lens Technique for Stability Evaluating Sharpness

Chapter 4 Getting Close

Location Matters The Slow Stalk Become Part of the Scenery Blinds for Bird Photography Your Vehicle: The Ideal Movable Blind Photographing from a Boat Attracting Birds in the Field

Chapter 5 Seeing the Light

Reading Natural Light Light Quality Light Direction Catchlights Combining Natural Light with Flash

Chapter 6 Exposure

Taking Control of Exposure Exposure Modes Metering Modes Making and Evaluating Exposures Solving Real-World Exposure Issues Going Forward with Exposure

Chapter 7 Composition Basics

Quick-Start Guide to Better Composition Framing the Image Avoid Random Amputations Where to Place the Subject Background Check The Lowdown on Low-Angle Shooting Aperture, Depth of Field, and Background Head Angle Visual Rhythm Cropping to Improve Composition Follow Your Vision

Chapter 8 Capturing Bird Behavior

The Power of Knowledge Feeding Methods Plumage Care: Bathing, Preening, and Flapping Behavior Cues and the Decisive Moment Courtship and Mating Rituals Parents and Young The Ethics of Nest Photography Migration and Flocking Aggression and Conflict

Chapter 9 Beauty Close to Home

The Bird-Friendly Backyard Take Advantage of Existing Plantings Backyard Setups Attracting Bluebirds for Photography Elaborate Sets to Capture Bird Behavior Feathered Families: Autofocus or Manual Focus? Backyard Drama: Fight and Flight Photographing Hummingbirds in Flight

Chapter 10 On the Wing

Optimize Camera Performance for Birds in Flight Prefocus-and-Wait Strategy for Flying Birds The Active Approach: Practice and Skill Building Anticipation! Reading Birds’ Preflight Behavior Cues Flight Paths and Behavior Patterns Wind Direction Wing Position Flocks in Flight

Chapter 11 The Big Picture

Include the Habitat to Tell a Story Birds in the Landscape Big Picture Artistry The Composition Process

Chapter 12 Weather, Water, and Mood

Snow Rain Frost and Ice Fog and Mist Including Water in Bird Photos

Chapter 13 Shooting Outside the Box

Develop Your Creative Vision Creative Use of Shutter Speed In a New Light High-Key Approach Natural Patterns Break the Rules! Creative Editing Take Risks!

Chapter 14 Basic Image Editing

Image-Editing Software The RAW Advantage Workflow A Word about Sharpening Photoshop Tips and Tricks

Chapter 15 Bird Photography Hotspots

General Tips Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, California Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands (Viera Wetlands), Florida Fort De Soto Park, Pinellas County, Florida Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Titusville, Florida Rio Grande Valley Photography Ranches, South Texas Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Utah Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve, Newfoundland St. Paul, Pribilof Islands, Alaska Nickerson Beach Park, Long Island, New York Other Good Bird Photography Locations Your Local Hotspot Anywhere!

Chapter 16 What’s Next?

Displaying and Sharing Your Work Photo Contests Giving Back to Nature Be a Writer (or Team Up with One)

Afterword Acknowledgments Appendices Captions for Chapter-Opening and cover images Resources