My Photography Tips
Window Blind
When I take images of birds I like to be as close as possible, preferably from the comfort of my dwelling. Having a variety of feeders is a must, but also a means to allow you and your camera an unobstructed view of the birds too.
A simple way to do this is to use a window as a shooting blind. Remove your window’s screen and insert a camera blind in the window. It can be as simple as a piece of cardboard cut to fit the width of the window with a suitable sized hole in it for the camera lens to poke through.
Or something such as this rig I came up with made from Foam Core Board. I took measurements of my window opening and the size of the hole for the lens portal. Then laid out the design in pencil on the foam core board. I used simple tools, a long steel straight edge…actually a drywall square, pencil, tape ruler and a hobby knife with a fresh blade.
I gave the design of the lens portal piece an offset, so if you install it in the window one way it gives you the ability to shoot level and pan upwards. Flip it over and you can shoot level and pan downwards. Perfect for my purposes!
I purchased the four pieces of Foam Core Board at my local craft store. Each sheet measured approximately 30″x20″x1/8″ and cost under $4.00/each. The layout and assembly took about an hour. I used masking tape to hold it together.
I have a small ledge under one window of my home. This new set up allows me to move it from window to window and is perfect for shooting the Bluejays as they land on the ledge to snatch up the peanuts place there for them.
I left the blind white for now, given we are experiencing cloudy weather, it will help to reflect some light to illuminate the birds I am photographing. You could also spray it with some flat black spray paint from an can if you wanted to.