Take It Steady To Get Stunning Bird Shots

Use a gimbal tripod head to stabilise your camera and get sharper, better bird photos. Jason Parnell-Brookes shows you how

1 DAY This project might be for you if you’ve ever come back from a trip to the park with less-than-impressive bird shots, and have wondered where you’re going wrong. With a bit of planning and the right kit, you can make some wildlife shots worthy of a competition win.

We’re using a DSLR paired with a 400mm f/2.8 lens. Long telephoto lenses of this quality are expensive, but don’t worry if your budget doesn’t stretch that far – you can use the same techniques with cheaper lenses, like a 18-105mm, and still get great results.

The first mistake inexperienced bird photographers make is to shoot handheld. Whether you shoot handheld or on a tripod can be a matter of preference; however, if you’re using a long and heavy lens, a strong tripod and the right head will add stabilization, reduce fatigue and allow you to adjust composition precisely. The trick is to find the right tripod head to suit your subject.

A gimbal head that swings up and down or left and right balances the centre of gravity of the lens and camera, ensuring that you won’t tire from lifting heavy kit all day long. They’re also smooth and easy to use while tracking movement compared to something like a ball head. Gimbal tripod heads aren’t just great for wildlife, but also for any moving subject, like athletics or motorsports. So let’s jump right in…

1.SCREW ON THE BASE PLATE