Ever think of shooting your favorite bird or lizard at the comfort of your own backyard? Are you dying to do bird photography but does not have the focal length to do so? This article by PopPhoto will guide you on how to set up your backyard so that you can photograph these animals at the comfort of your home.

Gear

If you already own one of the popular 70-200mm f/2.8s, consider a teleconverter. You can add a 1.4x or 2x teleconverter to extend the reach while keeping a functional maximum aperture. Just remember, while a teleconverter extends your reach, it also affects your maximum aperture. A 1.4x teleconverter will turn the 70-200mm into a 98-280mm f/4 and the 2x teleconverter turns it into a 140-400mm f/5.6 on an APS-C class camera with a 1.6x factor.

Pay Attention

While you're scouting your yard, pay attention to the available light. I've got spots in my yard that are better in the morning and some that are suited for the afternoon sun. Try to position yourself so the shooting area is front lit and not too much in the shadows. When you are shooting macro, remember not to cast a shadow over your subject as you shoot.

Cleaning up the yard

You may find that it's necessary to create a natural habitat or improve upon what you have. With birds for example, once you have found your vantage point, are there limbs that would obscure a clear shot at the birds? In the fall, after the leaves have dropped, it's easier to get a clear shot but in summer, you may have to do some pruning. Tree and bush trimming is an ongoing process with bird photography.

Focus

When you start shooting, don't focus on the feeder but instead the perches where the birds may hang out while they wait for their turn at the feeder. While it's not taboo to snap a shot of a bird at a feeder, a photo of a bird on a tree limb looks and feels much more natural.

FULL guide on How to Set Up a Backyard Wildlife Refuge by PopPhoto

• PMA08: Canon's EF200mm f/2L IS USM and EF800mm f/5.6L IS USM Lenses Launching -25/01/2008
• Olympus E3 Official Sample Images 100% Cropped -18/10/2007
• KLPF: Tamron SP AF70-200MM F/2.8 DI LD (IF) MACRO -15/09/2007
• Olympus ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 70-300mm F4.0-5.6 -25/06/2007
• Gallery: Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, Malaysia -19/12/2006

• Quik Pod DSLR Unleashed -15/12/2007
• 3 Ways to Get Good Sunset Exposures -07/07/2007

• Inexpendive Flash Diffuser System -14/04/2007
• Remotes with Robert Hanashiro at Sports Shooter Academy 3 (video) -14/04/2007
• How to Photograph Baseball and Softball -06/04/2007

Recommend this article...

---