Lia’s top tips: put the bird’s wellbeing first, avoid over-editing and don’t be afraid of space in your composition!
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Comb-crested Jacana by Wilson Lennard
Plan your shoot: Success starts with preparation. Research locations and bird behaviour.
Ethics first: The welfare of birds and their habitat should always come before the capture of the photograph.
Avoid nests: Photographers should avoid photographing nesting birds at, or next to, the nest.
Photograph birds naturally around you: Photographers should not use bird call playback for attracting birds for observation or photography, and should avoid photographing birds that have been attracted by a third-party using call playback. Live baiting of birds (that is, use of live vertebrate or invertebrate bait to attract birds) is not acceptable and may contravene Australian laws.
Seek unique moments: Go beyond the standard "bird on a stick." Look for behaviour, action, interaction, or dramatic light that tells a story.
Know your camera: Practice changing settings instinctively so you’re ready for fleeting moments.
Consider composition: Don’t always fill the frame. Use space, shoot from different angles, and show the bird in its habitat to create depth and narrative.
Master the light: The best images often use beautiful, dramatic, or atmospheric light (like early morning or late afternoon).
Stand out: In a sea of entries, your image needs an instant ‘wow’ factor—be it emotion, story, or originality.
Pick your best: Carefully review sequences and ask others for input to choose the strongest shot.
Category strategy: Enter categories you’re passionate about for a greater chance to catch the judge’s eye.
Critical view: At 100% view, ensure critical sharpness (especially the eye) and remove digital noise. Technical flaws can lead to instant disqualification.
Edit judiciously: Avoid over-sharpening and unnaturally oversaturating colours, especially reds.
Follow the rules: Read the competition rules thoroughly. Images that don’t meet file size or ethics requirements will be automatically rejected.
It’s more than technique: A winning image combines technical skill with heart—it evokes emotion, tells a story, or shares a unique perspective.
Embrace the process: Entering is a win. You’ve followed your passion and shared your view of the natural world. Learn from every shot.
Dare to be different: Creativity, originality, and a point of difference are what make judges pause. Experiment and break the conventional rules.
Ready for more detail? Explore the full, in-depth tips from each of our expert judges below.
Lia’s top tips: put the bird’s wellbeing first, avoid over-editing and don’t be afraid of space in your composition!
Read More