7 TAKE TOP NATURE SHOTS CLOSE TO HOME
Set up bird feeders in your garden, or visit a local nature reserve to get access to bird-watching hides for brilliant photo opportunities
You don’t need to travel to exotic places to bag incredible wildlife photos; you can take top wildlife portraits in your back garden, or, if you don’t have a garden, a nature reserve. To take winning portraits of garden birds, you need to think carefully about where it’s best to place bird feeders, and take into consideration the background and lighting that these places get throughout the day, before setting them up or moving them to a better position. You’ll also need to feed your birds on a regular basis to encourage wildlife into your garden.
Set up some mossy logs near the feeders so that the birds have a photogenic place to perch, rather than taking shots of the birds on the feeders themselves, which can look staged. A bird bath can also make for some great photos – just be mindful that the background is far enough away from the bird bath so that it can be easily blurred by using a wide aperture.
When considering the choice of lens, a telephoto optic, such as a 100400mm or 150-600mm, will give you plenty of reach, so you can shoot at a safe distance and not risk scaring the birds away.
Be sure to research any local nature groups close to your home. My local nature reserve is free to join, and has an excellent hide where I regularly spot kingfishers, goldfinch, reed warblers, woodpeckers, bitterns and other interesting species. It’s also a great way to meet other like-minded photographers, share experiences, learn new skills, and become more involved with the local community.