Winter Bird Photography

Class Overview: 

Winter is an amazing time to photograph birds, and it comes down to their basic needs for survival: food and water. With both in shorter supply during the winter months, birds become more predictable in where they gather. The absence of leaves on the trees also makes them easier to spot, while the cleaner backgrounds help the birds’ colors stand out and appear more vibrant. Of course, winter photography has its challenges, too. Those open backgrounds make it easier for birds to spot us, and we want to capture more than just a bird sitting on a stick. The goal is to create interesting images that capture the birds in a more natural and engaging way.

This class begins with a lecture, followed by a trip outside to photograph birds around some of the feeders set up on the Arboretum grounds.

In this intermediate class you will learn about: 

• Equipment needed for photographing birds
• Techniques for photographing birds in winter
• Insights into winter bird behavior
• Capturing images that tell a story
• Capturing images of birds in flight
   

Suggested Equipment:

• DSLR, Mirrorless, or high quality “bridge” telephoto camera
• Your longest lens (ideally 300mm or longer)
• Clothing appropriate for the winter weather
• Lunch/Snack and Beverage

Instructor:

Don Tredinnick  professional nature photographer, instructor and owner of Frozen Hiker Photography.  He was introduced to photography by his grandfather, who gave him his first camera at about age 7 and sparked a lifelong passion for the craft. After carrying a Kodak Instamatic everywhere as a child, he took the next step in college when a friend helped him purchase his first SLR, a Nikon EM with a 50mm lens, beginning a decades-long commitment to Nikon equipment. His photographic interests include landscapes, wildlife, classic cars, and abandoned buildings and machinery. He has traveled extensively in pursuit of compelling images, with recent destinations including Africa, Antarctica, Borneo, Iceland, Alaska, the Galápagos Islands and numerous national parks. His work has been published in magazines, books and marketing materials, and he has exhibited in multiple juried shows.