Hello Everyone,
Photographing ducks can be a fun and rewarding experience for any photographer.
Here are some tips to help you get the best shots possible:
First, let's talk about location. Look for places where ducks are likely to gather such as lakes, ponds, and rivers. Rubber ducks are the exception as they're mostly found in bathtubs. Try to find areas with good lighting and a scenic background for a more interesting composition.
Next, you'll want to use a long lens to get close to the ducks without disturbing them. A telephoto lens with a focal length of at least 300mm is recommended. Please do NOT dress up in a giant duck costume to blend in with the flock. Another way of getting close is to use photography blinds or simply cover yourself with some camo burlap. I use a combination of both when I want to be super stealthy, or I’m in a location where animals are afraid to approach people.
Ruddy Duck (𝘖𝘹𝘺𝘶𝘳𝘢 𝘫𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴) 1/2000 sec @ f/5.6 ISO ISO 450 - Edited.
When it comes to lighting, the best time to photograph ducks is during the early morning or late afternoon when the sun is low in the sky. In the case of my photo, I was out early but the duck didn't show up in my viewfinder until the lighting was already harsh. Photographing this contrasty fellow was a bit of a nightmare and the water droplets on the feathers created a bunch of annoying specular highlights. The warmer tones in my image were achieved in post processing.
Ruddy Duck (𝘖𝘹𝘺𝘶𝘳𝘢 𝘫𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴) 1/2000 sec @ f/5.6 ISO ISO 450 - RAW.
To capture more intimate shots, get down to the same level as the ducks by crouching or using a low tripod. This will give your photos a more intimate feel at the expense of some neck pain, but it will make the ducks appear larger in the frame. Hells yeah!
Patience and recognizing animal behaviour are key when photographing wildlife. Sometimes, you may have to wait for a while before the ducks come into view or display interesting behaviour. Be ready to sit in awkward positions for a long time.
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) 1/1600 sec @ f/6.3 ISO 1250
Use a fast shutter speed to freeze the ducks' motion and capture sharp, crisp images. Shutter speeds of at least 1/1000th of a second are recommended.
PLEASE! Remember to respect the ducks' natural habitat and behaviour, and never disturb or harm them in any way.
If you enjoyed these tips and would like to support more content like this, feel free to buy me a coffee. It will mean the world to me if I can donate the proceeds back to wildlife rehabilitation.
Thank you! 👍