Technique Birds Andrew Parkinson
Andy is a Nikon ambassador and a contributing photographer to National Geographic magazine. He’s been awarded in all of the world’s biggest wildlife photography competitions and he runs his own photographic tour company, leading photographic adventures all over the world. See www.andrewparkinson.com and Instagram @andyparkinsonphoto. As the cold dark days of winter start to recede, new life springs forth in the coming months. With the increasing day length and warming temperatures, hedgerows, forests, lakes and coastlines suddenly erupt into activity, filled with the sound of bird song. With our avian friends sporting their very finest breeding plumage there is no better time to photograph them, wherever in the UK you might find yourself. Outlined below are some of my top tips for which species to seek out, what behaviours to watch out for, and how you can optimise your opportunities by understanding the importance of accurate exposure, light and perspective.
Coastal birds
If you are able to travel, or living in proximity to the coast, then late April-May is a great time to photograph one of our most iconic and identifiable species, the Atlantic puffin. Endlessly entertaining yet surprisingly diminutive, these characterful auks are difficult to take a bad picture of. In some parts of the UK, coastal thrift will have already emerged creating a fantastically colourful palette amongst which to frame them. Alternatively, find a perspective where you can watch them coming in to land. These fast flyers will certainly test your reflexes so concentrate on using the central focusing point as this is the most tenacious and grippy. If you do get lucky, their bright orange legs will create an additional burst of colour in the frame.
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Courtship rituals
Some bird species have the most exquisite and elaborate courtship rituals, and none is more elegant and refined than that of the great crested grebe. The peak of this behaviour is in March, but it can still often be seen throughout April on lakes and waterways throughout much of the country. Don’t worry if you can’t get close Stay local enough as you can still There can be no more salient piece of advice in produce compelling and these current times than to enjoy the many and evocative images by varied advantages of staying local. Not only can you shooting them backlit react more quickly to a sudden improvement in weather (with the sun behind but by investing the time in getting to know your local them), using their species, you will develop an encyclopaedic knowledge distinctive silhouettes about their likely behaviours. You will also quickly work enshrouded in dawn mist. out the ever-changing fall of light and which vantage Head out on crisp, clear point offers the best perspective. If producing the very windless mornings to highest quality image is your primary goal, then this is maximise your chances the single best way to achieve it. Remember, it does and aim to expose to not matter how mundane the species is, even a retain detail in the mist mallard photographed in beautiful light will make for a itself, thereby capturing beautiful image. the extraordinarily warm colours. www.amateurphotographer.co.uk
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