Bird Photography Tips & Tricks

I sometimes wonder, while writing these guest photographer posts, how many listeners or viewers actually read them. The truth is it doesn’t matter to me, I write them for myself more than anyone else, and I find that trying to put someone’s talent into written words really helps me distill my thoughts about their work.

Take today’s guest, Melody Mellinger, for example…

I think my first introduction to Melody’s work was back in February of 2020, for Episode 4 of the monthly Behind the Shot Critique shows I used to do with Don Komarechka – damn I miss doing those. After that, I think Melody must have had an image in at least 7 of the critique shows. What she doesn’t know is that in every critique show, 28 in all, I always tried to have a mix of shots, so that there would be a few that we might have a lot to contribute to, and others that could work as a reference point, a baseline for what a great shot looks like. Her images were part of that later category.

One image I distinctly remember was in critique show 5. It was called Open Wide, and it is a magnificent shot. My first thought was that I wouldn’t have anything to say about it – yeah, it’s that good – but when I brought it on screen during the show a few things came to mind, and Melody actually went and redid the image with our suggestions. Here’s the BEFORE and AFTER for you. Since those first introductions to Melody’s work I have become such a fan.

What I find fascinating is that Melody’s adventures in nature photography didn’t begin until 2015, with her first DSLR, a Canon Rebel T6i. What led her to bird photography? Her children. She knew they were going to get tired of being models much faster than she was going to master that Canon, so she moved on to flowers and butterflies, before moving on again to the challenge of backyard songbirds.

Since 2022 she has used a Canon 5D Mark IV, and for her bird photography she pairs it with a 100-400mm and a 1.4x extender. Yes, you read that right… a DSLR, not some new mirrorless body, and the shots she is making with it will blow your mind. Next time you think you need new gear, go browse Melody’s Instagram. You’ll quickly realize that you probably don’t, and you can thank her for saving you money.

Back in January, Melody posted that she’d won something from FStoppers, and the shot that was featured in their Best Images of 2024 Critique show stopped me in my tracks. I mean, wow… just wow. I knew right then I needed to get her on the show.

Join nature and wildlife photographer Melody Mellinger and me as we discuss her amazing bird photography, and as we take a deep dive into the shot that she had featured in the FStoppers Best Images of 2024 Contest.

Connect with Melody

Portfolio: melodymellingerphotography.mypixieset.com
BlueSky: @melodymellinger.bsky.social
Instagram: @melody_anne_m
X / Twitter: @MelodyAnneM

FStoppers Contest

Best Images of 2024: fstoppers.com

Melody’s Photographer Pick

Issac Grant: isaacgrantphotography.com | @isaacagrant

Melody’s Other Work

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