Shutter Speed
Shutter speed measures the amount of time the camera's shutter is open. The longer it is open, the more light can enter. Doubling or halving the shutter speed produces an increase or decrease of 1 stop of exposure. Fast shutter [...]
Exposure
Exposure determines how light or dark an image will appear when captured by your camera. Exposure is controlled by three factors that can be selected on your camera: shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. These three factors and are commonly depicted [...]
Camera Basics
Future posts will provide details that will let you understand the factors involved in operating a camera in a mode other than automatic. Exposure and metering will discussed in a future article - that article will explain how to determine [...]
Future Plans
Over the next several months there will be opportunities to improve your ability to produce better bird photographs. To begin the process, a series of posts describing: camera exposure (“exposure triangle”), focal length, camera image sensors, camera types and their [...]
An April Stunner: Crossvine
By Karin Beuerlein Adding a vigorous native vine to your backyard habitat brings all kinds of fun surprises. All of those surprises are pleasant—as long as you don’t plant something that’s enthusiastic bordering on psychotic, or poorly sized for the [...]
Plan for a Goldfinch-Friendly Yard
By Karin Beuerlein If you weren’t able to participate in our fall native plant challenge, I hope you’ll think about adding a native plant or two to your yard now that spring is almost here. If you need a place [...]
Bird Paradise: A Native Plant Challenge Project
by Karin Beuerlein Fellow birders Angela Hoffman and Seth McConchie outdid all of us with their entry into the first KTOS Native Plant Challenge—they scored 217 points with a combination of trees, shrubs, and perennials. I’m here to give you [...]
Announcing the First KTOS Native Plant Challenge!
by Karin Beuerlein KTOSers, Knoxville's birds need your help! From now through November 15, we're challenging you to plant something for the birds in your backyard—a tree, shrub, or perennial native to North America (preferably the Southeast). Native plants not [...]
Five Small Ways to Help Backyard Birds
by Karin Beuerlein It doesn’t necessarily take a big habitat project to attract more birds to your backyard. Small steps count, too, and can be a good way to start if you’re new to backyard birding. Here are some easy [...]
Branch Out for a Bigger Backyard
by Karin Beuerlein What if you could expand your reach and make your backyard bird habitat even bigger and richer? That doesn’t necessarily mean buying more land—it can just mean convincing your neighborhood to add a natural area. Last September, [...]