Poultry watching is relaxing. After a day of work, it's lovely to let the chickens out of their pens, and watch them forage for that juicy worm, or some other goodie hidden under a leaf, or stone. They seem reminiscent of a scene in "Jurassic Park," moving in unison across primitive pastures.

As a photographer, and an animal wrangler for film and photo shoots, I see many opportunities to capture these lovely creatures on film, or to modernize—digital!

You can too.You don't need a fancy camera but there are a few tricks to taking top notch photos of your own flock of "tiny dinosaurs"!

So, let's get ready to learn!

First of all, forget what a lot of people tell you about cameras, and photography in general.

The best rules are: There are no set rules. So, relax and enjoy.

When your subjects become familiar with you (and visa versa) close up shots are a snap. Note the stunning colors, and contrast to the feathered background. While this background is busy, it does not distract from the main focus, and instead enhances it.

Equipment

To start with some technical nitty gritty...let's learn something about equipment and those tricky "pixels." Don't worry, we will get to those chickens in a bit!

You need to have the basic tools and knowledge that can start you off on the right foot. 

First, let's get the "pixels" out of the way. What are those things?

Pixels are the tiny dots that make up your photo. The more dots per small area—the sharper and more crisp your image should be. It's very much like your HD screen TV. Lots and lots of dots. Somewhat like a Seurat painting from the 1890s compressed.

The simple truth is you don't need a camera loaded with pixels. Many people don't understand this.

Unless you are taking photos to be placed on a billboard, or a major modeling shoot for a top magazine, you don't need a ton of pixels in your camera. Don't be fooled into buying something you may not need. It is a waste of money, and frustrating to boot. 

This head shot really catches the viewer's eye with wonderful detail and unique bold eye color contrasting with otherwise neutral colors.

What sometimes happens, sadly, is that some folks go out and buy the largest camera with all the "bells and whistles" (otherwise known in the business as "a big gun") after being told you need something the CIA would use to get great shots. What often happens to these folks is that they get so overwhelmed by the bells and whistles, that the camera ends up in the drawer, with shots never to be taken.

So, unless you are going to make a print for an agency, or blow it up to room size for a museum, just get a good reliable camera. A good local camera store will fit you to a suitable camera. A few of my shots were done on a name brand camera costing me less than $100.

About six pixels and up should do it for a nice quality shot that you can easily blow up to an 8" x 10" photo.

There are two basic types of cameras these days. The first is "Point and Shoot," that are very user friendly, and will certainly allow that user to become creative. Don't think you are skimping by buying one of these, because there is enough to keep your interest going with these little guys. Portable and versatile, they fill the bill nicely. They only have one lens, but many have zoom features, which are quite amazing. They are pocketbook friendly too! I carry mine with me everywhere I go. 

For the more seasoned photographer; there are SLRs. Properly known as Single Lens Reflex; they can take you from amateur to as far as you want to go. SLRs have interchangeable lenses—unlike the point and shoot cameras, which have fixed lenses. SLRs give you more leeway to expand your photography horizons should you become serious in the hobby. Be prepared to spend more money though.

A full body shot (left) lets viewers know all the detail of the subject, whether bird or human. We can easily envision more about the subject based on the surroundings of the subject. There is no clutter to distract the eye, the photo is nicely centered, and for Backyard Poultry cover purposes, leaves a nice area at the top for the masthead and other unavoidable cover needs.

Now the fun part—Poultry!

If you really enjoy your barnyard fowl, you can get great shots. I'm not being silly or getting sentimental here, but if you get a kick out of the things your flock does, and know their quirky habits, you will know when to wait for the right moment, and get a fabulous shot.

I have a Silkie which will crow as soon as you place him up on a high place, such as a fencepost. The only problem is getting him to stop crowing long enough to get a closed beak shot.

Know your birds, and you are that much ahead of the game.

Our peacock is a cinch because he is so tame, and he will fan at anything, including a feed bin. We can get close and personal with our peacock, "Lurch", because he has no fear of humans. He has taught our two younger ones that people are food vending machines!

Action shots are never easy, and often require many attempts. This photo clearly shows what is not "cover material": the subject is off-center and blurry, lacks any space at the top of the photo for the masthead, is horizontal instead of vertical and has a dull, boring background. (The good news is the background is not cluttered and distracting to the viewer's eye.)

Certain breeds of fowl lend themselves to shots just made for them.

Seramas are tiny little "Napoleons" and usually very full of themselves. You can put one of these guys up on a post, and get wonderful shots. The moms lend themselves nicely too to the photographic moments because they are supreme mothers, and if you wait, you will get terrific shots of chicks peeking out from underneath a motherly wing. 

Silkies are so placid that they lend themselves to kids' shots, and are cuddle bugs.

Malays and Asils are so people-respectful that you can sit right next to them or just photograph them in their stately uniqueness. Among the tallest chickens in the world, they are awesome to photograph.

The general population of Plymouth Rocks, Rhode Island Reds, Buff Orphingtons, and other staple barnyard fowl, are usually very good and will pose, if you come armed with goodies.

Mediterranean breeds, such as Anconas, Leghorns and Buttercups, can be a bit more flighty, and require patience and timing to capture them.

Consider the unique features of the subject when photographing. This duck features a unique crest, as well as unusual yellow eye markings, all of which are clearly displayed in this photo by Alan Baca.

Children and Chickens

I love taking photos of kids and their pets, and chickens are great complements for kids. You need a calm breed to make a comfortable match. You don't want the child frightened by flapping fowl! A good choice would be a Cochin or Silkie. Just about every breed has a calm individual. The favorite with kids at our place is our giant Plymouth Rock rooster! He is the most mellow and people-friendly rooster.

If the child is new to poultry, and is going to sit with one, have him sit down on the ground first. When the child is settled; quietly place the chicken in his lap. Photo shoots done later in the day brings on a lovely backlight, and a more sedate chicken (and maybe child too!) since bedtime is near.

Larger birds can be standing next to kids while feeding or just for a hug. We have a Malay, Baby Hugo, who loves to be cuddled. He is our gentle giant.

Be sure to remove distracting objects in the background. Split rail fencing is pretty, while rolls of chicken wire or old tires, are not.

Use lighting (natural and artificial) to enhance shots. This shot of Kathy's Serama, Jackie Chan, was taken on a post pointed at the sun as it was setting - which intensified the already beautiful gold in his breast feathers.

Bales of straw or hay are great "studios" with the natural light filtering into well lit barns. Baskets with apples and veggie harvests are very pretty in the mix, as is a basketful of eggs!

Don't forget the different angles. One of my favorite picture is simply one of chicken legs! I scattered my Comets' favorite food on the grass, and let them have a go at it while snapping away. Get down to their level—it makes for a nicer portrait.

A little Vaseline on the combs and wattles will give you a nice highlighted area for show type pictures.

To get a rooster to crow, place him on a fence post and show him another male from a distance. The louder the competitor, the more chances you have to capture him crowing. This is easy with Seramas, because these guys crow in your arms! Larger breeds are a little more reserved on crowing, but be patient.

So you are off to a good start

These skills, while aimed at poultry in this article, can be used in photography in general. Whether it be poultry, people, nature, photo journalism, it's all in the timing and ability to "see."

Just make sure you have those batteries charged in case that perfect shot comes along.

Happy shooting!

Kathy Baca is the owner of Three French Hens LLC Photography and Rare Poultry, and an animal wrangler for film and tv. Credits include: Flight of the Conchords; Michael and Michael Have Issues; Animal Planet's "Haunted" New Series; Today Show with Kathy Lee and Hoda. She is currently working on Nickelodeon's Beware of the Gonzo movie. 

Her Cochin hen starred in Paper Man, starring Ryan Reynolds, Lisa Kudrow and Jeff Daniels. She will also have chicks in a 2010 movie titled AfterLife.