My favorite time to photograph birds is during the “golden hour” within the first half hour after sunrise. This is a time when the air is typically still, and the new light creates contrasts which outline the birds. This low light-high contrast style is referred to as “low key” photography. The high contrast and dark background helps to create a mood of calm and mystery. Perfect for the early morning quiet time.
For each of these photographs, I recall the circumstances when they were taken. Usually, I arrived at the location in the dark just before sunrise and sat very still as the birds went about their morning routines. Sometimes the initial task was to stay warm and keep my fingers functioning enough to focus the camera. However, my subjects seemed perfectly comfortable. The photo of the ducks in flight was the result of patience and good luck. The birds were some distance from me with the sun coming up behind them. Suddenly they took off flying toward me with the sun backlighting the wings and outlining their bodies. A nice angle and good example of the “low key” style.
I hope you enjoy these images and thanks for reading this essay.
