12 Essential Wildlife Photography ITEMS for BEGINNERS

[@davidbarr9475]

Great video Kevin. Yes the love hate relationships we get ourselves in. Lol I guess mine would be my tripod. Really enjoying these videos my man.

[@KevinNordstrom]

Thanks David. Sorry I missed your call. Helping kids with state testing all day.

[@craigpiferphotography]

I think I'm failing as a wildlife photographer. Trying to see how many I have that are on your list. I do have a tripod... Oh, and I do usually have a pair of binoculars with me, sadly my compact pair was stolen a couple years ago. My water bottle goes everywhere with me, but I don't have any type of filter. I'm usually not out long enough for it to be of any concern. Zoom lens - check. I got the Tamron 150-600 just for wildlife. I can't afford any of those primes. I do have most, but not all of the accessories you mentioned. Definitely have to have those batteries. I often feel that I take more with me than what I need, but I don't want to be without. For me a must have is the Merlin app on my phone. It helps me to identify that bird that I just saw but don't know what it is. Comes in very handy, as does the sound ID feature, which helps me know what birds I'm hearing.

[@KevinNordstrom]

Never failing man. Everyone's kit looks different. Also primes have cons too. If I ever get one, I won't be hiking with it. Also the Merlin app works great. And the Tamron 150-600 is a good piece of kit for wildlife. Happy shooting 📸

[@ElBoyoElectronico]

I am also saving for a used EF prime lens 😊 My choice would be the EF 600mm f4 II, even though I might have to settle for the mark I. The prices are really something else… like you, I will definitely keep my zoom lens though, as it is quite light and will be used for son when he joins my trips. I can definitely tell that you have a military background as a lot of stuff you bring to your trips is survival/back-up related, but I can see how it makes sense too. Here in Germany people usually hike with almost nothing, besides their smartphone and keys. For me to carry a super small first aid kit is already the exception. Keep up the videos! So much to learn and also nice to see other people growing their passion.

[@JRodPhotoArt]

Very good info! How about a 4x4 truck? Thank you for sharing

[@KevinNordstrom]

Thanks man. Yea trucks work great too. Anything 4wd to be able to get into off road places.

[@Photojouralist123]

Loved your video Kevin i always keep a cheap shower cap works great 👍 to cover my camera

[@KevinNordstrom]

They do work great Thanks for watching.

[@Tylanthia]

Ospreys are great backpacks--very durable. Only thing I'd add is a good hat and good pair of boots (I like Tilley hats to keep the sun out and Keens for boots).

[@KevinNordstrom]

yep. They are solid for sure for the money. Ihave a pair of mud boots i wear sometimes too. Great idea.

[@krisbrantner1630]

As a avid waterfowl hunter who goes on multiple trips a year, I find myself using my camera more as a pair of binos than actual binos. My r5 with my 100-500, optional 1.4x, and either the 6-15x digital zoom on the camera, a guy can see decently quite a long ways away

[@KevinNordstrom]

Hahaha there ya go man. Great idea and very good IS on the 100-500. Hunting gear crosses over really well for nature and wildlife photography

[@LCDigital92]

I’ve been doing wildlife photography for almost a month, but I’m probably still not at “beginner” level yet. I’ve just been going to local parks and nature areas. Maybe 20-minute drive max. Size-wise, depending on location maybe 10-60 minutes to walk around if I didn’t stop to photograph animals. No hiking or really going “into the wild.” Just been using my phone and a clip-on 22x telephoto lens attachment on a monopod. Spent like $70 for everything just to see if I liked going outside. Everything fits in a drawstring bag and the only extra I’ve included is a 12(?)oz. thermos. It’s a little chilly in the mornings and late afternoons so I wear a jacket. I’m getting a Canon 7D and 75-300mm lens for my first “real” camera and just got a basic camera bag, so I feel I’m working my way up to “beginner” level.

[@KevinNordstrom]

Good for you bro. Don't stop finding the joy in the art.

[@LCDigital92]

@@KevinNordstrom Thank you.

[@jonraddon5379]

Haha! "No such thing as bad weather, just poor planning" , as someone who works outside from -35c to 35c, that's fantastic!

[@KevinNordstrom]

I commend you for sure. Working outdoors can be tough. Been there done that. But also remember 2 hours out in any condition doing photography is much different than working 10-12 hours outdoors. Lol, thanks for watching and happy shooting 📸

[@jonraddon5379]

@@KevinNordstrom Oh for sure, very good point, fortunately (in respect of that) is my job often has me sitting pretty still in the winter winds or hanging around, often on roofs or up towers with foot circulation being cut off lol, a good rule is if your clothing has a temp rating eg: -20c, that's based on walking pace, for sitting still you should always at least double it. I wear hunting gear for work as I don't have to wear safety clothing/boots. No motion = chilled very quickly lol

[@KevinNordstrom]

Sounds like a job I would be interested in 😉

[@shadmattingly2509]

neoprene 3-5mm waders for cold weather work the best..

[@KevinNordstrom]

Thank you shad

[@KevinNordstrom]

Happy shooting everyone

[@isotechimages.9130]

I don’t use bird calls though l do not have enough knowledge on birds to determine if it ethical but l do know those who do not find it an ethical practice due to it stressing & confusing the bird.

[@KevinNordstrom]

It can if done wrong for sure. If done correctly calling does not stress the wildlife. Thanks for watching.

[@jonraddon5379]

@@KevinNordstrom I'm not disputing your claim, I'm thinking about calls, but am hesitant, not sure how I feel about them. But I am curious to what you mean by "Used correctly", are you talking about the type of call you make? like mating vs warning etc? You should make a video on calls!! Or link here if you did already lol

[@KevinNordstrom]

Totally understand. I simply look at it as Plenty of hunters use calls effectively and morally to draw in the wildlife to put food on their table. Wildlife Photography is no different if one takes the time to learn ethics in the hobby. Check into some hunting videos on calling. That's how I learned. Take care and happy shooting 📸