Evening star., 1949-08-28

ton Of Photographic techniQues.
Once you have your birds around
you will still be faced with the
problem of getting close enough
to take a shot that will Just about
fill up your film. Telephoto
lenses are one answer to the prob
lem but a bit of human ingenuity
will do just as well and won't cost
anything at all.
Natural concealment in the
form of bushes or shrubs is best.
Just settle yourself IS near out Of
sight as possible and wait pa
tiently for the birds to come to
the feeding station. Then as they
come in you can start taking your
pictures working as silently as
possible. Don't be satisfied with
shot of a bird picking away at
bit of seed. Instead try for the
hard ones. Catch them in midair
with wings sperad or stop them as
they hover for q landing. Shots OF
the birds taking oil are tough ones
to get too. But II you can capture
an entire series Of the same bird
as it approaches and land and
continue with more shots Of the
different phases Of the take-oh
you will really have pictures to be
proud of. Such Z series Is not
done, of course, all at one time.
But persistent effort will reward
you in the long run.
Even if you live in an apart
ment you can compete handlly
with other bird photographers.
All you need is feeding tray
fastened to the windowsill. You
will have an excellent chance for
close cups here. There's not much
of a trick to it. First you open
your window and leave 1t open
during your entire shooting
schedule. Focus the camera on
the tray. get your shutter cooked
and then just sit still and wait for
results. II you are perfectly quiet
and still it won't be long before the
birds will be coming In. When
you see bird In the position you
are trying for. trip the shutter re-
lease and you'll have your picture.
The noise will probably scare
the bird away but that won't make
too much difference as you will
have to reset your camera any,
way. In just q few minutes he will
be right back again-probably
with few friends.
Using Camouflaged Blind.
Most of US think Of a blind" as
a piece Of cameanage used ex-
clusively by wild game hunters.
But our best bird photographers
use them all the time. Try it your
self If you. want to get some beau
tiful close-ups. All you need is
stepladder draped with burlap
sacks at the top held in place
with few sticks to make Q tent
like affair to keep you concealed.
This should be left in view Of the
| feeder for some time before YOU
use it, to accustom the birds to
the sight Of it. Keeping moving
1t closer and closer to the feeder
until it is right where you want
to shoot from. Once the birds
have become accustomed to the
blind. you will be able to use it
at will without frightening them.
| A series of a pair of birds
building the nest Matching the
eggs, feeding the fledglings and
teaching them to fly can be made
over a period Of time with the
aid Of one Of those blinds just
described.
As we have pointed out, bird
photography is no cinch even to
experienced cameramen. You will
have to exercise lots Of patience
and use good equipment. Knowing
the habits Of the various birds
! will be great help too. Several
local photographers have turned
to bird photography as . perman-
ent hobby. Try it yourself-its
fun.