MICHAEL RETTER
Birding Specials Editor

F-stops, ISO, aperture, shutter speeds, lenses… Photography can be challenging. Our goal with the special Birder’s Guide issues of Birding is to seek out and distill expert advice, in order to make it as easy as possible for you to understand.

With that in mind, our very first photography issue features an article by Keith Barnes on tips for taking excellent photos of birds.

A suite of expert bird photographers shares with us their top tips and favorite camera rigs as they try to answer “Which Camera is Right for Me?”

Kirby Adams explains how different kinds of birders have different photography needs.

The new Olympus OM-D E-M1X mirrorless camera is reviewed by Kevin Loughlin.

And Cameron Carver and Marcel Such promote the concept of birder photography–that is, taking photos of birders.

Finally, we also have online only content in the form of media reviews by Mark VanderVen and BIll Schmoker. This time, two books are featured: Bringing Back the Birds: Exploring Migration and Preserving Birdscapes Throughout the Americas by Owen Deutsch and the American Bird Conservancy and Mastering Bird Photography: The Art, Craft, and Technique of Photographing Birds and Their Behavior by Marie Reid. 

This publication only exists because our talented pool of ABA members is willing to share its knowledge. You can join in by writing an article. By the same token, we depend on our members to give us feedback about what they want—and don’t want—to see in future issues. Please take just a moment to share your thoughts with us. You can reach me at mretter@aba.org