Capturing Migrating Shorebirds in South Carolina

It’s late spring in coastal Carolina and the birds are gathering. In this video, expert wildlife photographer Doug Gardner takes you to Charleston harbor for tips and techniques on capturing seabirds foraging for food on a sandy shoreline. He photographs fast-moving sandpipers and willets feeding on horseshoe crab eggs. With his telephoto lens, he uses follow focus and concentrates on the catch light in the bird’s eye. If you use autofocus, you need to keep the sensor on the bird’s head. Doug recommends focusing on a bird that gives you a loose composition for easier cropping in post production. Walk the seashore with Doug Gardner for what you need to know about photographing shorebirds.

See all videos in our Uncovering South Carolina’s Shorebirds Course:

• Uncovering South Carolina’s Shorebirds – Course Preview
• Capturing Migrating Shorebirds in South Carolina
• Photographing Shorebirds on Crab Bank
• Finding the Perfect Exposure
• Capturing More Shorebirds