Birds as Art

Birds have inspired artists for centuries, yet bird photography often falls into familiar patterns shaped by technical expectations and recognizable conventions, where even fleeting and extraordinary encounters can result in images that begin to look surprisingly similar.

In this new online workshop with Nikon Ambassador Kristi Odom, we explore birds as a canvas for creativity, moving beyond documentation to create images that feel expressive, intentional, and artful. Along the way, we consider how curiosity, experimentation, and personal vision can transform the way we approach wildlife photography.

This workshop covers both the technical and creative sides of bird photography, from selecting the right lenses and camera settings for birds in flight to experimenting with techniques such as intentional camera movement, multiple exposures, and creative approaches to composition. Over five sessions, we explore how motion, color, light, pattern, shape, and abstraction can transform an ordinary wildlife encounter into something unique and personal.

Creative post-processing techniques are also introduced to help bring artistic vision into the final image. Through assignments, demonstrations, and group critiques, you are encouraged to experiment, take risks, and develop a more personal way of seeing. Class discussions and image reviews provide opportunities to share your work, receive feedback, and discover new ways of translating your experiences in the field into compelling photographs.

By the end of the workshop, you create images that reflect your own artistic vision while celebrating the beauty, character, and energy of birds.