Luck favors the prepared: Beginning Bird and Wildlife Action Photography
Hone your skills at taking beautiful, inspiring wildlife photographs. Experienced bird and nature photographer, Arlene Koziol (you may have noticed that her bird photos are everywhere on our website and printed materials!), will lead you through techniques and strategies for getting that perfect bird capture using your own equipment. You'll learn how to be ready to take the shot, handheld camera technique and fast-draw technique for action photography, the importance of anticipating behavior, importance of "reading the landscape" in the field, field techniques, and wildlife photography etiquette. Then, we will apply this knowledge to taking photographs on-site, photographing birds at nearby feeders and in their natural environment.
Students will learn:
How to be ready to take the shot
Handheld camera technique and fast draw technique for action photography and birds in Flight
Make yourself into a human tripod
The Importance of anticipating behavior.
Importance of “reading the landscape” in the field.
Field Techniques
Ethics
Enrollment is capped at 8.
RAIN DATE: June 10
LOCATION: We will host this class in the incredible backyard of Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance members Curt and Arlys Caslavka who live in Middleton, WI. This backyard is a bird oasis, with restored native prairie and savanna and multiple bird feeding stations. There will be space for attendees to spread out and practice photographing birds with Arlene’s guidance.
ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION:
This class will take place outdoors in a private homeowner's backyard.
Parking in the driveway is available for individuals with restricted mobility. The driveway is slightly sloped and concrete.
To get to the backyard, individuals will walk on a flat, even, grassy surface. There are no stairs between parking and the backyard.
Individuals should bring their own camp chairs for sitting and resting.
Bathrooms and water are not available on site.
Requirements:
Participants must have basic working knowledge of your camera
Camera must have a burst or multi mode. Can be a point-and-shoot, DSLR, or mirrorless camera
Camera with 300mm lens
Registration info: Registration costs $20 and is limited to 8 people. Registration will open to SoWBA members on April 14, and any remaining seats will open to the public on May 12.
About the instructor: Arlene Koziol
Instructor Arlene Koziol
I have a passion for nature, especially birds. Photography allows me to me to observe birds in their natural habitats. Digital photography technology and the science of nature both interest me. Bird photography is a fusion of art and science.
I am happiest when my photos are used for education and conservation. Currently I have photos are on display in the Chicago Field Museum of Natural History's Bird Halls. I recently had an exhibition on Bird Vision at UW Madison McPherson Eye Research Institute, Mandelbaum & Albert Family Vision Gallery.
To witness the awakening of nature during migration, one must truly be present. I never know what I'll see or how the light will be. Instead of just being a spectator, I feel like I am a part of nature. All of my senses are keen and active.
Header photo by Arlene Koziol
