Fantastic wildlife photography
opportunities exist right in your own backyard, and species vary with the
seasons. In this workshop you’ll learn the secrets to capturing beautiful bird
portraits, and gain insights to the key factors for creating a bird-friendly
habitat suitable for photography in your own backyard. You will learn
about the best camera settings, shooting technique and composition for creating
beautiful backyard bird images in live online (zoom) sessions in preparation
for a day and a half in-person photo shoot at a private property location specifically
designed for backyard bird photography. This shooting location offers multiple
perches, water features, and two large photo blind structures, each large
enough to each comfortably accommodate 5 photographers at a time. This
workshop is suitable for photographers with mobility issues, since photographers
can sit in the photo blind and photograph either using a tripod or handheld.
The birds are acclimated to the setting and come in relatively close to the
blinds – typically within 10-25 feet. As a result, heavy super telephoto lenses
are not required and more manageable zoom lenses in the 150 – 600 mm focal
length range can work very well in this environment.
Some birds that may be
sighted during the workshop include: Northern Cardinal, Carolina Chickadee,
Carolina wren, Tufted titmouse, Ruby-crowned kinglet, House Finch, American
Goldfinch, American Robin, American Crow, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Nuthatch,
White-breasted Nuthatch, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Bluebird, Pine warbler,
Yellow-rumped warbler, Yellow-throated warbler, Brown- headed Cowbird,
White-throated sparrow, Chipping sparrow, Downy woodpecker, Red-bellied
woodpecker, Blue Jay, Eastern Towhee, Mourning Dove, Hermit Thrush, Brown
Thrasher, Northern Mockingbird. Adding to the possibilities, the workshop is timed
so there is a good chance of capturing the birds with colorful spring flowers
like azaleas and wisteria. Of course, Mother Nature will dictate which birds
and flowers will actually be seen.
For those who would like to extend their visit to the Clemson, SC area, other local attractions for photography include the South Carolina Botanical Garden in Clemson and the Blue Ridge Mountains which are a short drive away.