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Bird manual or tiny instructional manual for birds



Seems the birds are wise to photographers.  Could they apply these
techniques to birders, too? -- Len Pardue, Asheville, NC

>Subject: [Fwd: Bird manual or tiny instructional manual for birds (fwd)]
>
>For all you wildlife photographers out there. Sorry if you are getting
>this a second time.
\

>
> Basic Bird Photo Techniques, volume 1 (for small birds)
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------
>
> 1) Strike a photogenic pose; when you see someone with a camera, hold
>
> perfectly still.  When they raise the camera to their eye, hold still for
>
> just enough time for them to make up their mind to take the shot, then
>
> immediately turn your head away.  Watch their finger muscles to get the
>
> right timing.
>
>
>
> 2) Wait in that position.  Pick at a few seeds, fluff your feathers, but
>
> remember: KEEP YOUR HEAD TURNED AWAY!   It's a nice touch to momentarily
>
> glance at the photographer, but remember, they're ready, don't pause at
>any
>
> time except when your head's turned away.
>
>
>
> 3)  Fly about 2 feet, pause, fly a foot back, jump around, and be sure to
>
> have some cute poses while you're moving faster than their lens can follow.
>
>
>
> 4)  Stop with your head turned away.  Turn toward the photographer, and
>just
>
> when you get nearly sideways, fly away!  Land behind him/her.  Be careful,
>
> if they're getting desperate they may snap you with your head only part
>way
>
> rotated.  A smart bird can quickly assess a photographer, and determine
>just
>
> how far he can go.  GET TO KNOW YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER!
>
>
>
> 5) Remember, timing is critical, and makes the difference between a
>
> professional and an amateur.  You have about 1.2 seconds, on the average,
>
> from the camera to the eye before they will snap the shutter.  Practice,
>
> practice, practice!
>
>
>
> 6)  Digital tip!  If you spot a digital camera and an apparent new owner,
>
> who wouldn't know about half-pressing the shutter button (this is great
>
> fun!!) pose nicely and wait until they press the button.  You have shutter
>
> lag working for you, so get to know your different model cameras and the
>
> shutter lag times.  With practice, you can get tailfeathers and nothing
>else
>
> in every shot, but even blank frames are good.  Remember, once they've
>
> pressed the button, there's nothing they can do!!
>
>
>
> 7)  Advanced techniques include:  Landing right in front of them, waiting
>
> while they switch to macro mode, then flying and landing 10 feet away.
>
> Picking rocks or branches located where they can climb up in an effort to
>
> get the shot...let them get all the way up, then act alarmed and fly away.
>
> Or, for advanced students, you can have them running back and forth trying
>
> to catch you in the air; be sure to try all your random direction change
>
> techniques, done right, they will end up with out of focus photos of rocks,
>
> trees, cars, shoes, and maybe one blurry shot of your tail end.
>
>
>
> Next chapter:  Judging telephoto lenses and how far you need to be away
>from
>
> them.  How to use tree branches to spoil automatic focus.  Using the sun
>to
>
> your advantage.
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------
>
> I hope this helps; don't let them know we have it.
>
>
>
> Gary
>
> Photo albums:
><http://www.pbase.com/roberthouse>http://www.pbase.com/roberthouse
>
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