An Eye For The Birds
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine|December 2019
Want to take your best ever shots of our feathered friends? All you need is a little camera know-how and a lot of enthusiasm, as top twitcher and avian photographer Matthew Stadlen sets out to prove…
An Eye For The Birds

When you see a bird, do you really see it? I ask because it’s perfectly possible to go through life with an almost total disregard for birds. Some people positively dislike them – something about their beaks perhaps, or their feathers? Most are just indifferent. But many of us do show at least some interest in the avian world and – thanks to social media – there seems to be a growing number of bird photographers opening our eyes to these treasures. In fact, the chance to share my images easily and to learn from others on Instagram and elsewhere has rekindled in me an interest in birds that waned during my 20s and early 30s. Without the buzz of uploading the results, I would probably not have made the effort and, as a result, not have rediscovered the joy of birdwatching.

I’m not an expert – either in birds (although I’m beginning to hold my own with those who are) or photography. I’ve only recently worked out how to use the manual focus on my Nikon camera, but I do have a strong sense of what I think is beautiful and a passion for birds that has its roots in childhood. What I lack in expertise, I make up for in enthusiasm, and here I hope to explain and illustrate how to become a chronicler of the breathtaking beauty on our doorstep and beyond. If I can do it, so perhaps can you. At a time of ecological crisis, it is essential to remind each other of the preciousness of the natural world, and photography can offer us the key.

Trial and error

Denne historien er fra December 2019-utgaven av N-Photo: the Nikon magazine.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra December 2019-utgaven av N-Photo: the Nikon magazine.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA N-PHOTO: THE NIKON MAGAZINESe alt
Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD G2
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD G2

The original version broke the mould for ‘trinity' standard zooms. The G2 enhances handling and performance further still

time-read
2 mins  |
Summer 2024
Nikon D500
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

Nikon D500

Nikon's flagship DX-format DSLR is a modern classic. And while it hasn't been out of production for long, it left a hole in Nikon's camera line-up that's never been filled

time-read
1 min  |
Summer 2024
Laurence Griffiths
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

Laurence Griffiths

With so much sporting action this summer, Laurence Griffiths of Getty Images reveals how to catch every goal at the Euros, details Getty Images' 24/7 Olympics coverage and why he always has a wide-angle ready. Keith Wilson managed to grab him before kick-off...

time-read
10 mins  |
Summer 2024
Ghost town
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

Ghost town

Adam Waring uses ND filters to subdue the hustle and bustle when shooting busy cities

time-read
2 mins  |
Summer 2024
Creative cities
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

Creative cities

Experienced travel photographer Matt Higgs provides top tips for stunning shots of city sights

time-read
2 mins  |
Summer 2024
If at first you don't succeed...
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

If at first you don't succeed...

Tom travels to the other side of the world to have another go at shooting an elusive image and displays the power of his perseverance

time-read
3 mins  |
Summer 2024
Shoot the summer of sports
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

Shoot the summer of sports

Have the Olympics and Euros inspired you to photograph sport? Mike Harris shows you how to score a portfolio of top shots

time-read
10+ mins  |
Summer 2024
Osprey & prey
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

Osprey & prey

Birds of a feather Gary Jones and Leigh Pugh photograph ospreys from a purpose-built hide

time-read
8 mins  |
Summer 2024
Superzoom lenses
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

Superzoom lenses

These lenses will have you in for a long stretch, some more than others in the wide-angle to telephoto stakes

time-read
5 mins  |
Summer 2024
Nikon Z 6III
N-Photo: the Nikon magazine

Nikon Z 6III

With a revolutionary 'partially stacked' full-frame sensor, the Z 6III fits flagship camera features in an compact enthusiast-level body

time-read
8 mins  |
Summer 2024