why do i make a better photo of birds if i am above the objective ?

Question

for example if i am on a bridge and they are in water i can photo them very clear but at the same level or on sky(but close to me) the birds appear distant.

Answer 1

Shooting at the subject down with the water as a background gives the cameras meter more to balance the exposure, the subject the water, the reflection off the water, etc.. Why the size of the subject is changing in the overall composition I havent a clue, I am asuming that you didnt change the focal legnth between the shots. Try the shots you are having troouble with, the sky as a backdrop, using different depth of field settings rather than shutter speed for exposure, try different times of day, cloudy day non cloudy days, keep a detailed journal of each exposure and you will pinpoint what you need for the shot you are looking for. Not knowing what you are shooting with, there are so many variables, camera lenses film, digital, I can only give you ideas of what to try.