Handy Photography Glossary

Canon sent me this link to a very handy photography glossary.  Here is a sample entry for a term of great interest to bird photographers:

The Basics:

AI Servo AF is a selectable AF mode, for when shooting through the viewfinder in an EOS DSLR. Short for Artificial Intelligence Servo Automatic Focusing, AI Servo is Canon’s dedicated focusing mode for moving subjects.  It has the ability to track and analyse movement, and focus the image based on where it predicts the subject will be at a given point in time. AI Servo AF is the preferred focusing method for Sports photographers, and any kind of photography where the subject is constantly moving.

National Geographic’s Photographer Of The Year Winners – 2016

National Geographic represents the epitome of excellence in nature photography and this year has been no exception!  The stunning images submitted over 11 weeks have been judged and winners announced.

CLICK HERE FOR GALLERY

My personal favourite was the drongo struggling for a meal amidst a bushfire.  Such a brave little guy!

Having clicked through all the galleries, I am amazed by the variety and quality of each photo and the skill of the photographers.  I don’t think I would have a chance but if you do, then read up on the rules and get ready for next year!

Better Photography – Hand Holding Your Camera

In most cases when you are birding, you will be walking along a trail where it isn’t always practical to bring a tripod along.  You have to be ready to move fast as birds fly overhead and grab your camera quickly.  In other words, you will be “hand-holding” your camera.  Here’s the best way to do it.

 

Better Photography – Aperture & F Stops Explained – Part 1

DSLRs can be really confusing with all the controls and I still don’t really know how to use aperture and F stops so I was hunting around on Youtube and found this video which explains it very well with example shots taken at different F stops so you can see the effect on the background.  With bird shots, you usually want to background to be blurred out so the bird is clearer so you want a lower aperture.

 

Better Photography – Backlighting Part 1

Don’t you just hate it when a bird is on the wrong side of the sun?  It happens to me all the time and I never could figure out how to deal with it.  This tutorial gives some great advice that should tide us over until we learn how to move the sun or persuade birds to fly to a more suitable perch!