Sure, it’s obvious, but the easiest way to turn a bird’s habitat into the second subject of a photo is to zoom out and let the habitat fill the photo. The ratio of bird to habitat can send a strong signal about your intention for the photo. Below are two pairs of photos showcasing the …
This week we look at habitat as a second subject in bird photos. Here’s the article from The Daily Herald’s Weekender, and we will also be posting additional thoughts and examples here on the blog throughout the week.
By human element, I am unfortunately not referring to actual people. I am talking trash. On St. Martin, it is a huge problem. There are obviously huge downsides to having litter all over the island that go beyond the inconvenience of having trash in the background of one’s bird photos. That said, having trash in …
Backgrounds don’t have to be plain to be pleasing, but sometimes they’re just too busy to work. For example, the two photos below are similar in many ways. They both have a bird and quite a bit of vegetation, and the vegetation has a lot of detail. Aesthetically, though, the Glossy Ibis is lost while …
Here are two images of a Spotted Sandpiper with a crab in its bill. I don’t think this one really needs a lot of comment. Its a fidgety, fast-moving bird, and even with the leaf, the image is less than ideal. Without the leaf, though, you really can’t tell what’s going on at all. It …
In addition to finding plain backgrounds to direct focus towards your subject, you can also use backgrounds that divide the scene into multiple spaces. Exactly how you divide the scene gets into questions of composition: how the scene is balanced, using the contrast in backgrounds to lead the viewer through the photo, etc. Without going …
Plain backgrounds bring attention to the bird you’re photographing. There are definitely cases where background elements add to the photo, but there are also many in which busy backgrounds crowd and overwhelm the subject. For bird photos, especially in the Caribbean, sky and water are probably two of the most common plain backgrounds, but there …
In this week’s column, we talk about backgrounds. Sometimes, at their best, they go unnoticed. As a photographer, paying attention to what’s behind your subject is key for many reasons. Enjoy the article from today’s Daily Herald Weekender, and follow along on the blog this week as we dig deeper! As a bonus, here’s another …
We have focused primarily on natural light, which is usually the most practical light for bird photos. In some cases, however, using a flash can also be helpful. Normally it requires a strong flash used at a relatively close distance. Flash technique is a complex subject on its own, and one about which I know …
Different times of day provide different light. Sometimes these differences are so strong the viewer of a photo can instantly envision the time of day the photo was taken. Of course, don’t forget that in the early morning and evening hours the light is coming from the east or west, so plan your shooting location …