STEP 3 DIAL IN YOUR CAMERA SETTINGS

Our aim is to keep the subject in focus while blurring the background to draw the viewer’s eye to our feathered friend. The simplest way of doing this is to select Aperture Priority mode, which is Av on the mode dial. Adjust your setting to select the largest maximum aperture your long lens will allow, which is typically f/5.6 on slower variable aperture telezooms, though f/2.8 would be even better if your lens allows it. Take a test shot and make sure the shutter speed is at least 1/200 sec to avoid any shake (if not, just raise the ISO). Then prefocus on the perch and wait until a bird lands, then adjust focus on to the bird’s eye and take the shot.