I just don't get it....

There are lots of subjects that people like to photograph. From models to buildings to sports to.....well, to birds.

I can see the attraction of most subjects (even those that hold no pull for me) but there seems to be more bird photographs than most of the rest combined on this forum (I typically just read the new posts each day). I mean no disrespect at all to people's choices but I don't see why so many are into photographing birds.

I'd welcome an education on the attraction.....

The beauty of nature!
The challenge!

There are virtually thousands, if not millions of bird species. For some people it is a method of recording their observations of the various species as well as a challenge to observe as many as possible in their natural habitat. For others it's just the love for nature, and for others it's the challenge to capture, for example a certain behavior. Not only that, it gets you outdoors in the fresh air; It can be healthy.

Birds are not too difficult to find, but can be quite a challenge once you do find them. Even beginners can get some decent shots of garden birds and even experts can find subjects that are very challenging. So there's something for the full range of abilities.

I agree with both.

For me, personally, it's the combination of those first two responses: The lure of natural beauty with the fun of a challenging subject matter. I just returned from 4 days at a wildlife refuge in New Mexico (Bosque del Apache). I probably used almost every outdoor photographic adjustment I know during that time, to capture images of birds that ran the spectrum from pure white to pure black against a multitude of backgrounds and conditions. That's part of what made it so satisfying. The beauty of the subject matter (graceful movement, texture and color) only increased the pleasure of the process and result.

As a former architectural/travel photographer, I can tell you that bird photography is flat-out addictive.

GrendelKhan wrote in post #12324657
I'd welcome an education on the attraction.....

An education on the attraction would lead you into areas like color, challenge, variety, and health (gets you outdoors.) Other things qualify for attraction in the same way, so choose what interests you most and go for it. Photography is a blank canvas and you get to choose what goes on it.

I like birds myself as the best of all subjects because they are just so sweet and fascinating and - they fly!!! It's like capturing a glimpse into the freedom of flight to make a nice capture of a bird. In my opinion anyway. They are a 'dreamy' subject.

I get asked that question from time to time. I say that I love doing it. What more reason do I need. The reasons that I love it have been expressed eloquently above. No need to repeat them.

Don't you ever wish you could fly away? No boundaries, no borders, no governments, no problems.

Completely agree with Chuck's comment! Birds are probably the most challenging subject to photograph, and you make the full use of all the camera's functions. Also, unlike portrait and landscape photography, subjects don't stay in one spot; you don't have the time to do test shots and adjust your settings, so you gotta know your camera settings based on the lighting right away before taking the shot. From all the unpredictable actions of the birds, one can transfer all these acquired skills to other photography disciplines like sports, candid portraits, and even landscapes (you learn to include/exclude elements in the viewfinder in bird photography as well). Finally, I get a lot of wows when people look at the camera equipment.

Muteki wrote in post #12333883
Completely agree with Chuck's comment! Birds are probably the most challenging subject to photograph, and you make the full use of all the camera's functions. Also, unlike portrait and landscape photography, subjects don't stay in one spot;

And it teaches me patience for when I photography my grand babies, who just like birds don't like to sit still very long.

(a) It gets you out of the house, which your family will generally consider a net plus.

(b) Birds don't criticize you when you don't get them from their good side.

Muteki wrote in post #12333883
... Birds are probably the most challenging subject to photograph...

I agree with Muteki. Photographing certain birds, Wood Warblers for instance, is arguably the most difficult of all photographic pursuits. Consequently when you make a great capture, it is one of the most rewarding experiences that photography can offer. That plus the fact that the images are beautiful.

Because it is really easy to be bad at it.
They are colorful, it is fun, they are readily available, most people can get close to some type of bird, it is great practice.

Being "actually excellent" at bird photography is one of the most expensive and difficult types of photography.

Some people will understand and some won't...that's their loss. I never saw myself as a bird photographer and I still don't. I do more observing (through the viewfinder not a scope) than actually photographing them so maybe I'm more of a bird watcher but both go hand in hand. I used to spray and pray I got a shot...after my 40D had two shutter replacements and a mirror box replacement within a year I started slowing down and actually observe what I was photographing...my 40D thanked me for that. I learned you can actually predict their moves by their body posture or how their feathers look...I can actually tell when a bird is stressed or when it's relaxed/content.

I get out of the house, I get some much needed excercise, I get to joke with friends and I get to meet new people on the way. Amazing how much conversation is started when you're toting around a 500mm lens.

Duane -- I'll talk to you alot if you fund me one of those 500's-- I promise.

I like spending time in a woods or canoeing rivers. Photographing what I see is secondary.
I see birds there that I don't see in town or near all the corn and soybean fields where I live.

Most of the specialty fields, critters, macros, and whatnot require a lot of technical skills that isn't as necessary in other, more artistic areas.

I tend to shoot these "specialty field" images because I'm basically devoid of artistic talent but my left brain compensates with technical abilities.