2022 Judges Tips: Lia Bocchiaro

What makes a winning nature or bird photograph for you?

A good photo must of course be sharp and well exposed, but what makes it stand out is a unique element like a behavior, expression, surrounding landscape, or dramatic light.

What key advice can you offer to entrants?

Don’t be afraid of space in your composition. A lot of bird photography is very tightly cropped in on the subject, but showing the bird in its environment can make a much more interesting image.

Remember to put the bird’s well-being first. If a bird seems irritated or upset by your presence, back off. Getting that perfect moment requires a lot of patience, and it will be evident in your photos.

Excessive editing such as over-sharpening and over-saturating will not improve a photo!