Photo Weekend Information – Optimize Your Visit

Whether it’s your first trip or your twentieth trip to photograph the birds, the following tips will help you take home more photographs and ensure good photographic opportunities for everyone.
The blind is located in an eastern deciduous forest habitat that usually has a thick understory. A variety of plants, perches, and foods are present around the blind. The birds are photographed in “natural” habitat out the rear and front of the blind. Usually during the spring and fall a wide variety of migrant birds are seen and photographed along with the birds that reside year round.

The bird blind area is designed for a wide variety of lenses. Ideally zooms and telephoto lenses in the 300 mm to 600 mm lenses work best.

When photographing the birds avoid quick movements and loud noises. Remember the birds are wild birds.

Stay in the blind if at all possible. Walking around the outside of the blind will cause the birds to fly off or not come into the area. Remember the birds are wild birds and may be wary of a lot of movement and loud talking.

A good time to take a break or get something to eat or drink is when I’m feeding the birds or changing something in the photo blind area.

I recommend the use of fill flash when photographing the birds. A better beamer attached to your flash is recommended to help extend the flash units beam out further than it was designed. The birds are used to changing light and flash does not bother them. Fill flash will also help fill in shadows and put a glint in their eye.

When you select your locations in the blind look around and select the most photogenic perches from your window in the blind and watch those places for photo opportunities. When you aren’t actively photographing, go ahead and pre-focus on the perch, that way when a bird lands all you have to do is release the shutter to get the shot. Don’t stay so attuned to the preselected spots that you miss other photo opportunities. Use your peripheral vision to constantly watch for the movement of incoming birds. Birds coming into the area often stop just outside the blind area, which gives you a chance to spot them and prepare for their arrival in the photographic area.

Watch the bird’s behavior so that you can better anticipate their movement. Some birds “grab and go” while others settle in to the feeding area. Knowing which species do which can help you to fire as soon as they land or help you decide to let them settle into feeding or bathing before photographing them.

Do not get too attached to a single place in the blind. While the props, perches, and lighting will change during your visit, you should also change sides of the blind and change windows to get a different composition or perspective.

Use a sturdy tripod with a ball or gimbal type head.

Bring clothing appropriate for the weather. The blind is not heated or air-conditioned.

Don’t forget spare batteries for your camera and flash unit. Also bring extra memory cards.

Bring 8-10 images (prints, digital or short slide show) to share during the post lunchtime image session. (Lunch is provided on Saturday). Also this is a good time to re-charge batteries and download images.

Feel free to ask questions while you’re here and if you have a request or a question, don’t be shy.

Most of all we hope you plan to enjoy the experience of photographing and the fellowships with other photographers.