I have a Nikon Coolpix L310 so getting a half decent shot is a mission in it's self lol, what can I do to get that all around good picture? Advice greatly appreiciated RE position of bird (the good and the bad), and any/all aditing to help get that finished piece that's looks natural yet stunning... In case you haven't figured it out yet, I am a total newbie that has NO idea what I'm doing
Just looked at the specs of this camera. You should have no trouble getting good pics.
Start with sun behind you and lean on something to reduce camera shake and see how you go.
Regards Alan
Let me tell you, only three years ago I took photos of birds using a $78 camera bought at Aldi. One day I might post some of them. I firmly believe it's what you do with your gear.
What I call "the artist eye" make for a good composition. I used to practice even before I had a "good camera", sneaking up on birds, as qietly and close as possible. I used to sneak up on my sleeping Blue Heeler. After a lot of practice I could walk past her without waking her up. As Alan said you have to make sure the sun is behind you, but you have to be careful not to cast shadows on the bird, it will fly off
The other advice I would give, focus on the eye of the bird, the human brain will compensate for the tail not being in focus
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But most important is to be patient, determined and not to give up. There will be bad days and not so good photos,and many birds that got away. But there will always be that beautiful bird and the perfect shot just around the corner.
Good luck, the more birds you see, the more photos you take, the better you will get.
M-L
Only a couple of things to add to what has already been said , first don't worry about what camera you use the" best camera "is the one you have on you when you see something cool !
The other is when you load up your photos before you delete the duds , don't worry we all get them ,(lots), look at them and say whats wrong with this shot ,is it composition ,bad light ,to far away, to cluttered, what ! ,learn to trust your own eye , we tend to learn more from getting it wrong than we do from getting it right ,but when it does all come together and you get that killer shot it makes it all worth while .
good luck and above all have fun.
Learn to walk quietly and dress in natural colours. Steve Parish tells me that you can walk up to a bird fairly close without looking at it. Pretend to be looking at something else. If the bird doesn't get eye contact with you, often it will stay longer.
Be careful of sticks and branches underfoot. They crack and make a big noise at the wrong time. And if you have pets, keep them shut in so they don't follow you around in the garden when you have the camera in hand.
Kathiemt
Selby, Victoria
Like Kathie, I do not look at the birds, I even walk past them first sometimes , as if I was going somewhere else. What I also do, is holding the camera almost in the same position I will hold it , when I take the photo. That way I won't have to make a sudden movement by bringing the camera closer to my face. I also make sure to move when the bird is busy eating, singing or doing something. I always say, even a bird doesn't have eyes in the back of their head.
You will soon become the perfect "sneaker uperer", as my husband calls me.
M-L
I made a practice of walking at an obtuse angle away from the western grey kangaroos we once had on our place. This seemed to fairly quickly reduce the threat my presence posed to them. After a while I was able to sit quietly near a mob of kangaroos & have them approach me. It was a wonderful experience. The same strategy might be helpful with bird photography.
M-L
Point taken, Araminta. Next time I see you I'll try a new angle!