Photographing birds is addictive. That's the only way to explain the urge to keep taking photos of the same kinds of birds in the same places, day after day. I mean, after all, how many photos of a bird on a branch does someone need? I've asked myself that many times, and I've come up with excuse after excuse....it's relaxing, the bird may be in a different pose or different light, and I can use those photos in different situations. The bird may move a certain way, and I'll get a shot I haven't gotten before. As I look back on these photos, I see so many that are so similar, then I turn around again and ask myself what was I thinking? I'm telling you, it's an addiction! Since I obviously can't seem to stop this habit of sitting outside and photographing our fine feathered friends, I've started asking myself, what ELSE can I do with these simple photos? I've come up with a few ideas, and I thought my fellow bird photography addicts might find these useful. #1 - Put Your Bird With FlowersFlowers and birds go well together. Because I have so many photos at different angles on bare branches, it's usually pretty easy to find one which can be composited into a vase with flowers, or onto a branch with flowers which I photographed previously. I also will place a flying bird in with some flowers...it adds interest and color. #2 - Put The Bird With An ObjectPut the bird with an unexpected object, or in a still life scene. Once again, due to the variety of angles and poses, it's often easy to find a bird photo I've taken which will fit with an object. #3 - Put Your Bird In A WindowIf you have photos of house windows, barn windows, store windows, etc., the window sill or window opening is great place to put your bird! #4 - Put Your Bird In A NestI collect fallen bird nests I find, and I photograph them on a plain background so I can easily integrate them in with a new background or interesting texture. I also have purchased bird nests at the craft stores - some of them look very realistic! #5 - Put Your Bird On A Stump...Put the bird on a stump, rock, or other natural element. I often will photograph plain stumps, large rocks, leaves, pine cones, etc, and later work a bird into the art with those elements. It gives them a natural place to perch, yet something different than the standard location where I usually photograph them. #6 - Put Multiple Images Of The Same Bird TogetherPut multiple images of the same bird into one image. I often get multiple images at a time of one bird, especially if that bird is active. It's usually easy to put multiple images into one when the shots are made at the same time, in the same lighting. And as long as the bird doesn't have some super obvious identifying feature, no one will know the birds in your art are all the same bird! #7 - Dress Up Your Bird!And finally, if you really want to get wild with your creation, dress up your bird! Give the bird a hat or some human clothes to wear. This creates a more whimsical, fun work of art which will make people smile. :) Please Pin This Post!
21 Comments
Deborah Kenney
8/8/2018 10:54:34 am
You are amazing. I love all your posts, and I love all your wonderful textures. I thank you so much for all the creative ideas you share.
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Jai
8/9/2018 10:29:01 am
Thank you Deborah! And you're very welcome!
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Marths Hamilton
8/9/2018 03:33:40 pm
Love these ideas and pictures. I've used a few in the past and a few I will use. Love taking bird pics. most of all.
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Jai
8/15/2018 10:00:41 am
Glad you enjoyed it!
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Jai
8/15/2018 10:00:55 am
You're very welcome!
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8/13/2018 07:59:09 am
Jai you inspired me and I did a composite and also used Topaz Impressions to paint it. Here is a link to it.
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Jai
8/15/2018 10:01:57 am
Thank you for sharing!
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Tony cowen
8/16/2018 06:38:22 am
Where do you buy your frames they complement your style of work many thanks
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Jai
8/25/2018 07:34:06 pm
My frames are all provided via my print provider on my website. They have a wide range of choices for my customers, and I really love that!
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paulette cassidy
8/22/2018 08:14:45 pm
Jai you are amazing thank you for some creative juice love all your work.
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Jai
8/25/2018 07:34:25 pm
Thank you!
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8/24/2018 10:42:59 am
Hi Jai, you took the words right out of my mouth about photographing birds being an addiction! Day after day I go out
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Jai
8/25/2018 07:35:38 pm
I'm glad you can relate and that it's not just me. LOL! I've taken a break from doing videos this month...maybe I will be inspired again soon. :)
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Rebecca Cook
8/24/2018 11:28:14 am
Great suggestions! I have a thousand bird photos (and those were the keepers!) and you probably have more. I cannot help but photograph them, now I can play with them some more!
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Nina Irvin
8/24/2018 10:18:43 pm
I had to laugh at your comment about shooting the same bird in the same place day after day, etc etc. An addiction is an understatement....but a truly awarding one! I love your work and have employed many of your textures into my own photo art. Thank you for your continued inspiration!
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Kathy
8/25/2018 01:24:15 pm
Haven't been able to get out to the local lakes to take pix of birds, but have instead been taking birds, bees, and flowers in the backyard.
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Marla
8/25/2018 04:29:54 pm
Jai, I had to laugh! I can't tell you the number or quantity of things I've photographed. My husband complains about the number of files I have on wild birds, or other stuff.
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Debbie
7/21/2020 01:08:28 pm
Thank you so much for your inspiration! I absolutely love your textures and blogs! It has taken me to a new level in my photography of birds!
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Kathy Teague
10/31/2020 04:04:17 pm
Ok, so now I know that I’m not the only addict around! Lol, I’m constantly taking photos of the same bird. It’s like...maybe the next one will be even better! Or maybe because when I’m behind a camera, I’m thinking of nothing else, especially this Covid mess! Lol
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labro
1/24/2021 02:48:13 am
hello,
Reply
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