How to Capture a Heron
Hey fans! Hero the Heron here. I am glad you want to learn how to take your own pictures of wildlife. Piper and I, as well as Piper’s parents, are all patient birds. We spend a lot of time standing still, so that makes us great subjects for practicing your wildlife photography. Of course, we have friends and relatives all over the world, so these tips will help you take a picture of any bird or any wildlife subject.
To get the best pictures, you have to learn to think like a bird. I don’t like sudden movements around me — they scare me. And I don’t like people to get too close to me — that feels dangerous. Remember, I am WILDlife, not a pet. First, you have to respect me before I will let you take my picture. Now, let’s see if you can think like me!
It all begins with observation.
Start by standing away from me and watch what I do and how I move.
Slow Motion
Walk v-e-r-y slowly toward me. (It is the same thing you do when you want to sneak up on one of your friends and surprise them, except this time, you won’t yell, “BOO!”)
When you want to take pictures of birds, you have to act like a bird — be a little sneaky and v-e-r-y, v-e-r-y quiet. Wild animals know how to be quiet and sneaky; it is how they catch their food. Even if I don’t turn toward you, I can watch you very carefully because I have eyes in the side of my head that enable me to watch you even though I look like I am facing another direction. Now that’s crazy!
You will know you are too close if I move away.
Breathing
As you are walking toward me, breathe quietly. Stop every few steps and wait. Take a quiet breath.
If I think you are safe and not going to hurt me — and especially if I am used to having people around, like many birds on the beach or at fishing docks — I will continue to stand still. I might even look right at you and still not move my feet. My face might be worth a picture.
Sighting and Shooting
Lift your smartphone or your camera slowly and check to see how I look through your camera. If you are using a camera and it has a focus square, focus on my eye, making sure my whole body is in the picture. Hold your breath and take a few shots. Take a few more slow steps. Refocus your smartphone or your camera, hold your breath again, and take a few more pictures.
Keep watching me. If I start to move, stop and wait. I might move just a little bit away to see what you do next. Remember, if you scare me, you may miss your opportunity for pictures. Taking good pictures often requires a lot of patience.
Every time you walk forward and stop, remember to refocus your smartphone or your camera on me. If I start to move, stay still for a few minutes and then try again to come closer. If I keep moving away from you, I am telling you that I do not want you to come any closer.
When you are shooting, always take multiple pictures. You never know when you might have twitched or wiggled. Your movement could spoil your shot by making it blurry.
GOOD LUCK!
SEND US YOUR PICTURES!
If you have a picture you would like to share, send it along to info@heroesimagined.com with your first name and last initial and your age. We might just add your picture to our website. Photos are accepted from kids ages 5-12 with their parent’s permission.
If you have questions for us about your birds or your photography, send them along, too. Jan will get back to you!
VISIT THE SANCTUARY
Our sanctuary is a safe place to learn interesting facts about shorebirds, read stories about everyday heroes, find links to other great resources, and more. Stop by for a visit and enjoy your stay!