Photographing Birds

Hi! I am Robson Esteves Czaban, from Resende, State of Rio de Janeiro, born in 1959. I live now in Manaus, State of Amazonas and I am working in the Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente - IBAMA (Environmental Brazilian Institute). Since I was a child, I always had attraction for birds. I started to photograph birds in 1990 when I was living and working in Brasilia. I traveled by many regions of Brazil and I photographed many of them, specially from the North of Amazonia between Rio Amazonas River and Venezuela; from the Plains and "Mata Atlantica" (Atlantic Forest), From Pantanal and Southern Lakes. Today, as a result of this work, I have a private collection of more than 1.000 wild Brazilian species, photographed in freedom, in its natural habitat and in ethics standards.

How to photograph Birds? Photographing birds in the Amazon Rainforest, requires more than ability and good equipment, many hours working on field, due to the structure of forest (many tall trees and bad illumination), and this makes more difficult the visualization and identification of certain groups of birds. For this reason I use a manual camera with 400 mm lenses, reflex of 650 mm and other camera of 200 mm and films ISO 800 and 1600 (negatives). More than precious scientific documentation, my works make contribution to register species non-catalogued for the State of Amazonas. Part of my photograph collection has been used to illustrate scientific publications. Resident in Vila de Balbina since 1995, locate dint he Amazon Rainforest, I have had the opportunity in photographing birds every single day. To contact me send me an e-mail to robson.czaban@hotmail.com

Types of Photograph camera.

There are many models and brands on the market, both analog cameras (the conventional) as digital. The analog cameras that use film and slides positive, every day are in disuse. The cameras can be manual or automatic. The latter, by making the adjustment of openness, speed, and the focus of an automated way, allowing rapid in use, fundamental requirement in time to photograph a bird. The Digital cameras are increasingly occupying space in the photographic market. They are less bulky, lighter, have ease of handling and operation and the photos are stored in digital way, which allows the user to manipulate the image, delete, change colors, make cuts and so on. This not to mention the cost savings that you need not disclose all the photos you take, can simply delete those that have not been good. Not so long ago were much more expensive than conventional cameras and had not a very satisfactory resolution of image. That has been changing fast. Prices are competitive and resolution of image improved greatly. A camera with image resolution of up to 4 or 5 megapixels provides a picture quality as good as a negative of 100 or 200 ASA, since the lens is of good quality.

Both as a model in another, the need to bring the image is very important. It is recommended that the equipment purchased enables the exchange of lenses, allowing the replacement of the standard lens by lens that can more approximations, around 200 to 400mm or even more. Digital cameras tend to have digital approaches, in addition to the approximate angle. The processors that are the focus usually is automatic "confuse" the time to focus on the object, particularly if there is much information in the area focused on various plans, such as twigs and leaves. This can cause an error and machine-readable do before or after the outbreak of the bird itself. In either case, the picture blurred out. In these situations, it is recommended that you use the manual focus. It is preferable, therefore, acquire equipment that allows both a kind of focus on the other, leaving over the photographer the best option for each situation.

Photograph Equipment

Model of Camera to photograph bird. Choosing a special model of a camera depends on you, according to its characteristics and your interest.

Cameras. There are many models and marks available. Automatic cameras offer better condition for this specific job. In my fieldwork, I have used a semi-professional digital camera that makes the automatic and manual focus. I have worked with the model Panasonic, the Lumix DMC FZ 50 12x and Leica lens. It is a very good player, low cost and excellent image quality in the image.

Lenses. Lenses with zoom or automatic focus produces good results, because they do automatic adjust of focus, opening of diaphragm matching with speed of film. The idea is to have some lenses to be able to open more options to photograph and from a vary of distances. We recommend photographing birds in freedom in the Amazon Region, with lenses of 600mm and 800 mm with a good density and opening.

Tripod. The use of a good quality tripod: light, firm and with good stability in order to avoid any kind of shake during the click. Lenses with 300 mm, or up require the use of tripod. Today, the digital photographic cameras are manufactured with modern feature that makes it unnecessary the use of tripod.

Films. Films can be ISSO 64, 100, 200, 400, 800 or up. ISSO 64 and 100 are good in case there is too much light. It shows many assorted small granulation and give it good definition and bright. ISSO 200, 400 and 800 films or up are films to use in areas with poor illumination or inside of the jungle.

Environment and characteristic of work.

In order to arrive at time in some places, photographer is required to wake up very early, to walk some kilometers through the jungle, even before sunset. To reduce the possibility to be hurt or to loose your equipment, it is necessary to use clothes that protect you and your equipment, such as rubber boots, long pants, hat or cap, repellent, suntan lotion, plastic bag or conditioned or impermeable bag to keep your equipment.

The best time to photograph

Most of birds are active in first hours of day and at the end of afternoon. In theses moments they show themselves more and give you more possibility to take a good photo. In other hand, in these hours illumination is poor to photograph species from forest. Open environments such as rivers, lakes, plains, etc. permit better conditions to photograph.

Going to the Forest to photograph

Before going to the jungle, plan carefully your trip. Depending on the environment that you intend to visit, think first what kind of species you want to photograph. It helps a lot to photographer if he has a previous knowledge of the region to be visited and birds that can be found. To know what are the species common to the place, how they feed, where they do their nests, the season they can be seen and other type of information help photographer and his job. Use hat or cap and camouflage clothes that do not contrast with jungle. In the jungle be all the time alert. Eyes and hears in attention and equipment ready to be used. You never know when a bird is going to cross you way. They appear in unexpected moments.

To find birds use your Birding capabilities

Walk, observe carefully. Walk with all accessories together. As soon you see a bird, try to approach very slowly, the maximum you can. Sometimes it is necessary to walk and to hide, to walk and to hide...and then photograph.
Attract birds with natural food and water deposits. Display your equipment and wait birds arriving. A birdfeeder is a very easy way to attract small birds like hummingbirds and others.

Hidden places.
   
The use of a tend or a camouflage blanket, permit you to be very close of birds without b seen by them and without disturbing them. This is the most ethic way to approach to birds, specially if birds are forming nests or feeding them. Try to take the maximum advantage of natural camouflage.

Ethic of Photography.

To perform photography in a very good manner, you must consider ethic in observing birds. This is because, according to their behavior, you can or cannot cause tension and stress unnecessarily to birds that you are trying to photograph. See how to do your job in a ethic manner:

1) Obey all rules related to photograph in public and private areas. Avoid surprises, look for information before you photograph.
2) Stay behind your scene, at least 30 feet from nests or feeding area. Do not interfere birds' activities.
3) If you are going to be closer, use a tend or other hidden-place.
4) Never disturb their habitat, breaking trees or branches in order to have a better view. With this you are permitting other predators to have easy access to birds.
5) Use artificial lights of flashes cautiously. The closer you approach to birds, more caution you must have.

You must be responsible in observing birds. If you have any doubt, do not photograph. The birds thank you very much!