How to take good bird photos...

**Melza** · 03-15-2008, 04:08 PM

Hey all!

I was taking photos the other day, and whilst it was pretty easy to get somewhat decent photos of my larger birds *turqs, budgies and tiels*

and it is somewhat simple to take near decent pics of the canaries and finches at a distance

but when i try to take close up of the finches *like this baby one...* they come out blurry

is there any way to take clearer photos of small birds at close range? or is it better to have them far away and use the zoom?

i have an average digital camera 7.1 MP, and it does take nice photos.

any suggestions on how to get good bird pics?

*NO IMAGE HAS BEEN CROPPED ONLY RESIZED TO FIT THIS FORUM*

**Mary Jo** · 03-15-2008, 08:53 PM

Lighting is mose important, good strong light is key. Birds move fast so low light tends to come out blurry. As for close up, if your camera has a macro function(usually represented by a flower/tulip symbol) use that. Also depending on the camera focus is usually dead center, but if you only press the shutter half way down it locks the zoom so you can re-position the shot(on most cameras at least)
The rest is a mix of patience, perserverance and luck.

**Melza** · 03-15-2008, 09:03 PM

cheers mary jo, yea, my camera has macro and that other thing you mentioned...

i never thought to use macro, ill give that a go!

thanks

**Mary Jo** · 03-15-2008, 09:08 PM

No problem, glad to help.

**cockatielsrock** · 03-15-2008, 09:10 PM

Ummm, im not really sure.

Maybe just try not to shake that much, and birds move fast so its quite blury.
Anyways, nice photo... good question

**ang1477** · 03-15-2008, 09:47 PM

Your camera does take nice pics! Can't wait till I get a better one!!

**Melza** · 03-15-2008, 10:38 PM

i am going to go and try the macro thing now!

thanks for your help everyone!

LOL Angie, thanks!

its not to bad for a digicam!

**macafied** · 03-18-2008, 08:16 AM

Judging by that photo, you were either too close for your camera to be able to focus. Or the camera focussed on something in the background. All Cameras/lenses have a minimum focus distant... get closer than that and it will be blurry.

**kurusui** · 03-18-2008, 08:24 AM

Definately macro! Thats the setting for getting close and to really small objects

**McDenny** · 03-18-2008, 03:11 PM

Use Macro, and try putting the flash on. Can you change the shutter speed on it? If you can, a faster shutter speed will help. Also, some cameras just won't focus on an object that close.