10 Easy Tips For Photographing Birds At The Beach

[@Needacreate]

Wow, Steve, you did it again. You're truly head and shoulders above so many other photography channels on this website. Can't help recalling a recent gear-centred episode on one of those channels where the host couple kept posing with 600mm F4 lenses, got dewy-eyed over citing lens prices, and engaged in a lot of pixel peeping over mostly boringly-lit shots of birds tinily recorded somewhere in the frame. Not only do your bird shots rock big time, you also manage to pack so much helpful information and practical tried-and-tested advice into your videos that watching them and applying just some of your tips seems almost as good as an expensive one-on-one workshop. You must carry on this incredible work, Steve!

[@backcountrygallery]

WOW - Thank you! I'm pinning this one :)

[@ChocolateHabanero22]

In other words, don't shoot like Jared Polin!!

[@rickeycarter]

I noticed the use of a gimbal right off the bat too. There’s no sense in challenging others to a holding contest if there’s no reason in doing it in the first place. That’s a great tip on having it balanced first. Yikes a dunk in the water would be a bad day.

[@backcountrygallery]

LOL - I put that tip in there because I almost had it happen - and yes, it would have been a REAL bad day (my balance was camera heavy!)

[@ChocolateHabanero22]

@Steve Perry, What kind of gimbal is that, (brand)?

[@PhantomRC1959]

Excellent clip full of great tips, Steve 👍👍👍

[@dunnymonster]

Outstanding as always. I'll admit there's little chance I'll ever find myself knee deep in seawater with my cameea but kudos to you Steve, your photos are simply jawdropping 😃

[@AndrewJonesFoto]

great tips, thanks Steve

[@danielphotography1312]

I'm not a wildlife photographer at all but I so enjoy watching your videos. They're well thought out and the content is always high end in my opinion!

[@garystarnes5178]

Congratulations on 100K Steve! Thanks again for all of the great content!

[@rachelg7371]

The virtual horizon tip, wow! I never knew how to use it. Thank you!

[@KenTheoriaApophasis]

I shoot the rare birds on the beach in Spandex. Then theres the double-breasted Lycra birds. Beautiful plumage, exquisite creatures. Congrats on 100K Steve-O ~~~!

[@kamatchinmay]

Care to share?

[@fderive]

Years go by and it seems like when I want to learn or refresh something practical about wildlife photography Steve is always the best. Thank you so much Steve.

[@lylecameron5578]

Another great video and AGAIN, thanks for the D9 vs Group AF explanation. Can't get too much of that.

[@MichaelWellman1955]

Congrats Steve. Without a doubt you have the best photography (if not overall) YoutTube channels. Glad to see you are getting the recognigtion that you deserve. Keep up the great work. Looking forward to many more great videos and books from you. I hope to be able to attend one of your workshops one of these days.

[@randyfox5317]

We just moved to Florida a few months ago and now have access to miles and miles of shorelines and the birds there. These tips are spot ON for my new subject matter. Thank you!

[@daveg9053]

i watch a lot of people, but i learn the most from you. you keep me enthused and want to go out and try your techniques. keep it up my friend. i plan on checking out your books as well.

[@BenjaminKanarek]

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR 100,000TH SUBSCRIBER!

[@smooth6718]

I'm not sure whether I am just learning more, or whether this was your best yet video for me. I own a D500 and D850 and I never knew about the virtual horizon until this video! Duh uh! Also, I'm glad you said to use Man Auto ISO, because that's what I do about 95% of the time now after I saw your video on that topic. It was tough making the transition. Almost as difficult as changing my golf swing. But like you said, "Try it! You'll never go back." I noticed that in one shot, your ISO floated to 6400, and until I got the D850, I got concerned at ISO 2000. And finally, I was happy to see you wearing your Eddie B backpack. Taking your lead, I bought one of those, too. Love it. I could have almost told you what you had in it, because that was a ditto for me. Great job, Steve. Keep 'em rolling.

[@backcountrygallery]

Thanks for the kind words :)

[@Rabsi16]

Hi Steve I am love how simple and easy your videos are to understand. I have needed to understand the workings of my DSLR for ages but never really found the right way of learning how until I stumbled onto your Utube channel. Thanks heaps Rabsi :)

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

Great video Steve, full of quality information in so many ways.Those extra little tips, such as using the tripod effectively, are so worthwhile to photographers looking for tips.

[@johntoolan7243]

Steve, not only are you an amazing wildlife photographer, you are a great teacher also. All of your videos are well organized and to the point. I’m almost finished reading your Nikon Auto Focus ebook and I’m going right now to your website to purchase your wildlife photography book. I’ve put off the purchase for too long and since I’m sitting home because of a blizzard it will be a good day to get some reading in! Thanks again Steve!

[@backcountrygallery]

Thanks!!

[@suzannestamps4557]

Really informative video Steve. Love the fact that you freely share your settings. Thank you.

[@boblyon2982]

Great video Steve truly enjoy all of your videos and help. Your help in my transition as a wildlife photgrapher has been immense and words cannot express my thanks enough. Your Awesome!

[@davef2975]

The Ocean is my schoolhouse! Living in San Diego County (Ca) the ocean is a major natural influence in the area. When I purchased my D500 I also purchased the Nikon 200-500 mm zoom. I needed to relearn my hand held panning techniques. Birds at the beach were the answer. I started with Pelicans. These birds have a very slow predicable glide. I practiced on Pelicans until I became better at panning and focusing. Next I moved onto Cormorants. These birds move faster but tend to stay low to the water. Again, I practiced on these faster birds until I bettered my technique. Next I moved to Seagulls. Although a soaring bird, they can zip all over the place. After mastering Seagulls, I was ready to shift to small shore or inland birds that flit all over the place. My advantage in San Diego area is our hugely varied environment. Within an hours drive I can go from 6300" mountains to the ocean shores or to the desert. And yes, we do get snow in those mountains! So I can in one day go from snow, down to the warm ocean coast, or over to the complete hot desert. You may be curious why I am relying on hand held and not a tripod. I am a Forest Fire Lookout. I spend time high on a mountain top in a tower. There is no room for a tripod. Not distracting from my observations is important. My camera is always at the ready for a quick grab. Most of my opportunities are birds making passes at or by the tower (Mostly Turkey Vultures, Eagles, and Hawks). Some of my shots are actually looking down on the birds rather than looking up. So my hand held skills are a must. Interesting foot note on tracking and focusing. One day in the tower I saw a Carpenter Bee (a bit bigger than a Bumble Bee). I was looking down on the bee in flight about 15 yards away. I grabbed my D500 with 300 mm lens. I was shocked, I was able to lock in focus and fire off a few good shots! The bee at that point was about 20 feet in the air so I was shooting at an angle with the ground as background. Really proved the focus abilities of the D500!

[@backcountrygallery]

Great way to start and learn. In my book, I recommend seagulls as good BIF practice targets, but pelicans are even better for the beginner. Now bees - that's tough!!

[@jamiedolphin]

These are all good tips, I recently spent a whole morning laying on the sand shooting tiny Red Capped Plovers, getting low really is key and the shots speak for themselves.

[@ArthurMG00]

Your videos are the best out there when it comes to wildlife photography...

[@timothyerrington8877]

Thanks. Great tips. Of course I'd need a wetsuit to get in the water around here ;-)

[@backcountrygallery]

I'm from OH - not too far from L. Erie - so I can appreciate that situation!

[@GlenDomulevicz]

That was a super vlog. I have been aware and tried getting low for compositions. I have never succeeded well at that, probably from not approaching it as something very beneficial. Your captures left me no doubt that I should take that approach seriously and stop wasting opportunities. Thank You.

[@zmanagadze]

You are fantastic teacher as always Steve!

[@eeshaangauthamrao5695]

Honestly just here for those mesmerising photos !

[@mremumerm]

nice video, glad i took time to go in your back catalogue.

[@spookbok]

Wow, what a great video, backed up with spectacular photos. Thanks for sharing Steve.

[@patrickmontocchio]

Thanks for sharing this Steve. Excellent tips + you really cover everything ! Also, your pics in this video are mind-blowing.

[@MrThor49]

Thanks Steve for your tips. You have certainly improved my knowledge base.

[@ohrah2003]

Wholeheartedly agree with Marc. Amazing photos and information Steve. As soon as it warms up Am going to go apply your useful tips. 📷🎥

[@phooesnax]

Great shots. Great tips. Great video. Thank You Steve. Look forward to every post. Jim

[@lad78518]

Really excellent tip on the virtual horizon, thank you Steve!!!

[@oscararborist]

Thanks, Steve, for keeping it quick and to the point!

[@itschriswinter]

Great tips Steve!

[@nicodimus2222]

I don't live anywhere near a beach, but that wave tip is really cool. Good idea.

[@ganeshbeee]

Awesome Steve! If I can add another tip here, that’d be to shoot opposite the wave... wait for the waves to go high to press the shutter and the sunlight hitting the water droplets from the wave produce some stunning bokeh Cheers!

[@Treo80]

Very beautiful shots! It must be so nice to have wildlife thats used to people and let you get close like that. Over here no birds except seagulls will let you get any closer than 300ft or more.

[@backcountrygallery]

Not gonna lie - it's a blast to get that close! I tell people it's worth the trip (well, depending on where you are). For me, it's a 17 hour + drive, but I do it several times a year. For most people, the flight is shorter than that (unless you're in Africa or something - and then, why the heck do you need to come over here LOL).

[@IanWilkinson]

Great advice and fantastic images all the way through! Thanks.

[@darrenhebert3096]

Great work as always Steve! Best KZbin educator there is….

[@AnandaGarden]

Beautiful and SOOO instructive. Loved the brown (first) bird against reflected blue sky.

[@MrExel47]

Your pictures and techniques are amazing! Often I can´t reach such high shutter speeds, because I don´t have a fast prime. i am really dependet on extra good light.

[@backcountrygallery]

On this trip, low light was seldom a problem. Clear skies got gave me good shutter speeds pretty early on. The truth is, I could have used slower speeds for most of the shots in the video, it's just that when I can keep the ISO reasonable with a fast SS, I do :)

[@davidepaula]

Your videos are always so good. Thank you for sharing!

[@safeharbor7]

Thanks Steve for all of the great info. I have learned a lot from you through the years. Big thumbs up...

[@mannymota3442]

Informative and well-presented video as usual! Thanks.

[@christosphillips3568]

Thanks for the upload Steve, much appreciated advice from the Guru of wildlife, congrats on 100K Happy New Year , happy shooting and God Bless.

[@MrRandyl124]

Steve, your images, videos with tips and tricks rocks and are very easy to understand. From one Nikon shooter to another keep up the good work. Thanks again.

[@sumitpawar699]

Hi Steve, I just loved this video you are awesome. Those were very precious tips you had provided.

[@21utubeutube]

Fantastic photos and excellent information. Brilliant video once again 👏👏

[@billdavis6195]

Great video. I live on the Gulf Coast and will definitely be applying these tips. Thank you!

[@Heartkwt]

Thanks for the Amazing idea. Though I'm not into Bird Photography but do have a Sigma 150-500 and now, with your ideas, I might just do it. Thanks again. Stay Blessed

[@tw9535]

Brilliant as always.... 99k subscribers-- definitely headed for 100k and deserving of them. Thanks for sharing these tips!

[@backcountrygallery]

Thanks!

[@laurelb8372]

Great tips Steve, love those shots

[@captandy34449]

Really Great video Steve. I watched it 3 times it was good and I learned a lot. Thanks for the tip on the virtual level. I set all my cameras up for that one. Again thanks very much.

[@chuckeggen111]

Love your videos Steve. Always full of great tips. Now, let me present a recommendation. This doesn't just only apply to your videos but every photography related video I see these days. If I'm watching a video about a photography subject I really don't care about seeing the instructor/speaker/teacher other than an intro or summary. I can watch the action being discussed and listen at the same time. I would rather see the subject more than the speaker. Seeing the ref photo longer goes a long way in reinforcing the topic. I'm seeing this more and more with photography videos. I'll keep watching, please keep producing. I learn something every time.

[@Chrismzeller]

Thanks for these! The best, most-useful wildlife tips and reviews on the net!

[@yousifalmadani6610]

great tips thank you very much

[@banarne71]

Great tips. Getting low is key to success.

[@stevemartin239]

Another outstanding tube Steve. I have come on leaps & bounds (IMHO)after all your insightful videos. Best wishes for 2018!

[@RussHeim]

You the Man Steve! Thanks again for all you do brother :)

[@samirb7650]

Love your content... thumbs up!

[@nektariosdroulos1852]

One of your best! All the info, as much as it should be, in the right order. Congrats!

[@alandixon5144]

As always, great advice. 🙂 I live in the UK and, unfortunately, our shorebirds are nothing like as approachable as yours though....☹

[@VladimirNaumoff]

Great show Steve, haven't seen you for a while. Happy New Year! All very best!

[@yujinlandscapephotography.7787]

Hey Steve, good tutorial and one. Thank!

[@WhittyPics]

Awesome video Steve as always. Happy New Year.

[@rogeriobaptista7084]

Hi Steve congratulations on 100K subscribers.

[@Nat.ImagesLarge.F.Photographer]

Great,fantastic shots and very instructive,tks!

[@ZaberAnsaryOfficial]

Dayum Sir, you're the best... I'd like to see some vlogs now hehe... Cuz I wanna know what you felt at those moments... Please do once in a while.

[@NG-xg8ez]

Awesome tips...! Also those bird shots with waves are really Amazing !!

[@ktodoma]

Great video and great tips. Thank you

[@villemononen5303]

Always THE BEST! And i don't even shoot Nikon nor high action. Maybe subconsciously preparing for it?

[@jimt9479]

Another great video, this series is going to be awesome! Combined with your books I've applied these techniques to shooting sports games (including getting down low ) and my shots have dramatically improved. Now if I could only find an easier way of shooting indoor sports under fluorescent lighting with my d810, high shutter speeds and high ISO ranges ( 8000 plus ) that leave me with barely useable images ... ugh

[@RobertDuttonFineArt]

Great photos and advice. Inspirational. Not so sure I'd be in the water like that with my tripod and lens though, you've braver than most but those shots sure are tempting to give it a go.

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

It's got to be done Rob!

[@CapOlimar]

Most higher end bodies and lenses are weather sealed, although I'm sure excess salt would be an issue if you didn't properly clean them. I shot in the waves during vacation last year and after cleaning the lens and body after each day it's been fine.

[@RobertDuttonFineArt]

Thanks Coty. Appreciate the advice.

[@rosaashour7854]

Thank you so much! great tips, will put them into practice.

[@fsmelo87]

Amazing video as always!

[@marthathomas1691]

Great video!

[@koolkutz7]

Great work Steve. Your wildlife images are fantastic. The detail and sharpness on that D850 is amazing, even at higher ISO settings. I really enjoyed your advice and tips on this subject. The problem here in Grey Britain is the poor light levels. I often have to shoot at at least ISO 1600 - 6400 just to get a shutter speed of around 1/100th sec! Keep up the good work.

[@MikeJamesMedia]

Excellent! (Still loving the D850, I assume?)

[@backcountrygallery]

Pretty much - I still think I should use the D5 more when the light is dim though. On this trip it wasn't much of an issue, so I stuck with the gripped D850.

[@JeffSelf]

Can't wait to use these tips when I'm in Captiva next month!

[@wkuhlewind8928]

Steve, here you go again, building courage to back-button focus 3 or 4 years ago, and now the in-view-finder artificial horizon. O, so sweet! Thanks. BTW I assigned it to Fn button since I often use Depth of Field preview....

[@Wildtotarda]

By the way, that pic of the backlit little egret with the wave is one of my favorite pictures ever !

[@daveisler3700]

Love all your videos. Have learned a lot for using my D500 and capturing birds from you videos and books. Thank you just not brave enough to try out in the salt water with my gear. I am a coward. Dave Isler

[@MegaFlyinggoose]

Great video Steve but getting in the sea around the UK coast is a no go most of the time unless the sun is belting down somewhere in the higher 70's lol

[@chrisboulden]

Excellent advice on all fronts!

[@wildlifesnapper1]

Great tip on ensuring that your gimbal head is balanced Steve. I'm not sure I'd want to get in the water here in England as even in the Summer months its still too cold.

[@backcountrygallery]

LOL, gotta get a wetsuit :)

[@aaronbpinto]

100K Subscribers.. Congratulations Steve Perry.

[@rogeranthony3183]

Thanks for those great tip,will try them out.

[@leroy5007]

Enjoyable and informative

[@MichaelWellman1955]

Thanks for the great video.

[@rlwings]

Great video Steve! Thank you once again. :)

[@CJamesPhoto]

Awesome tips man! thanks ☺️

[@2009Portugale]

Great Tips, Thank You

[@100mikeshark]

Really nice Steve. Thanks

[@kenhenley7599]

Bloody marvellous!

[@gregcurtis6807]

Great advice! Thank you. 😃

[@joscoenen1441]

Thank you for the great tips. Jos Coenen from Holland

[@careylee5951]

Great video! Thanks for the info!

[@kamatchinmay]

Omg, this is just too risky. One bad splash, and all your gear is ruined.. But awesome photos man, and great tips.. Big fan

[@nelsonm.5044]

When I know I am going to do some low level shots I wear my long sleeves army style army shirt, it does have insert foam protective pads for the elbows and the forearm, it is less painfull for the elbows if you lay flat on the ground and it also protects from the sharp object. The second thing I like about this shirt, it does have pockets on the sleeves close to the shoulder, a good way to keep the cell phone and wallet dry. It is also safe to have those in a small plastic bag. I also have a ground pod, something I find easier to move than a tripod but I have loose some flexibility as for the height ajustment of the camera