5 TIPS and TRICKS I learned photographing Birds!

[@shaddring]

I love the fact that before you even get home and load up the images on your computer you have already won. You found a passion, you planned an adventure, you got outdoors, and you executed on a vision. The images are great but the journey is even greater. Great tips and story telling.

[@BayouJosh]

That pretty much sums it up. thanks Shadd.

[@ginopisonier9803]

Ik hou van de manier hoe je mij terug met mijn voetjes op de grond zet. Terug leren genieten. Dat is the key. Prachtig👍👍

[@BayouJosh]

😊

[@johnepattison]

"What I'm really looking for is just to be surprised." That speaks my heart too. It reminds me of one of my favorite poems "Pay attention. / Be astonished. / Tell about it." (Mary Oliver)

[@BayouJosh]

I keep running across Mary Olivers stuff. I need to take some time to read it more. You don’t win a Pulitzer Prize without being amazing.

[@mohamedyazidbitam]

ANOTHER STUNNING STORY

[@BayouJosh]

Thank you so much 😊

[@jamieburning3762]

We all could learn alot from your tips and tricks Josh.. Thanks for sharing your daily travels with us..

[@BayouJosh]

Thanks for tagging along Jamie

[@KevinNordstrom]

Well done Josh. You're not a teacher for a reason. Teachers just have the ability to train. You're a mentor. People look up to you and are inspired from your work. Cheers man.

[@BayouJosh]

Man Kevin! Don’t put that kind of pressure on me. 😆 I’m just a friend.

[@brianrudolph2456]

Amen - comparison is the thief of joy is one of my favorite quotes.

[@anthonytorino6522]

The advice from you father-in-law is the best part of this video!

[@BayouJosh]

He’s got some good advice right! 😃

[@a.riswick7693]

Thank you Josh and Kathy. Its not the equipment that matters at the end. Its your loving each other and your love for nature and birds. Think you have a lovely life and your photography is just a wanting to share those love and excitement. Be happy every moment you enjoy yourself in common habbits. It's richness never loosing those warm feelings, those warm familiar welknown voices, warm as birdsongs. Keep sharing your love for nature where it's allowed to loose yourself in time in a rushing world.

[@andrewlamberson539]

A++ .... Again! Not to "compare", but you are the best storyteller for bird photography on the internet!!!

[@BayouJosh]

Goodness Andrew! That is very kind of you to say.

[@Slimpogey]

Well put Josh ! We are all learning all of the time.. the key thing is to enjoy it ! The open air, exercise and occasionally a pleasing photo to add to your collection....

[@matthewgiven3482]

Thanks you Josh. Just the video I needed today. Cut right through the clutter in my head. And I'm gonna borrow your dad's quote if you don't mind.

[@GudmannAndGyda]

Wonderful video once again - and good thoughts. Thank you!

[@BayouJosh]

Thank you friends.

[@johannesschroeder5117]

Hello Josh, great video. Thank you for sharing your lessons. Have a great weekend out in the fields. Best regards from Germany.

[@christophercorr2329]

I started bird photography before I started birding. I have learned that becoming a better birder, has made me a better photographer. I use to get so frustrated if I would go out and not get great images, but now I try to focus on the birding aspect of it, and the images will come as I mature and grow. I am trying to grow on instagram and it is extremely tough. Sometimes I get too caught up on followers and likes. I love to support others by liking, commenting and following. I especially like to support those local to me. I am learning to focus more on posting the images that I like. I am not trying to copy anyone, but yes there are techniques and shots that I wish to shoot that are similar to things I have seen, but I feel that is how we learn. We see what someone else is doing, and we try to do similar but tweak it to make it our own. You are so relatable and I very much enjoy following your journey. You and Katie are absolute life goals.

[@BayouJosh]

thank you so much Christopher. It seems like you have a very healthy relationship with Instagram.

[@bluejays5660]

What I love is when I think I didn’t get any decent shots after a long afternoon out shooting only to find I got some incredible shots! Sometimes I get great shots in spite of myself!

[@BayouJosh]

That’s definitely a bonus!

[@janm2473]

"instant gratification society..." truer words have never been said. Nice vlog..

[@BayouJosh]

I appreciate it. I’m definitely a co-contributor to that mindset. Unfortunate honestly.

[@christinepepper4053]

Your videos are becoming part of my Friday routine! Thanks again Josh

[@BayouJosh]

I’m so glad you’re enjoying them. Thank you so much.

[@gordonneedham7014]

Thanks for the lessons of Life ...

[@picturafix]

Hello Joshua, you bring it exactly to the point! Cheers

[@comelachapelle8337]

Man, you are so good.Thank. You have the right philosophy for bird watchers. What a pleasure to watch your channel

[@chrishilton6378]

Josh, I will continue to maintain this is a life philosophy channel cleverly hidden in a photography disguise. Thanks for a great start to my day.

[@BayouJosh]

You got me figured out Chris. Thank you.

[@jayf6647]

Thanks for sharing Josh!

[@jeffross9620]

Hi Josh: Not only do I enjoy your videos and advice, your narrator's voice and style can get you a job in films if you ever want to try that!

[@BayouJosh]

I sure appreciate you saying that Jeff. I was being so critical of this one this morning when I watched it back because I’ve been struggling with a serious head cold. I felt like I didn’t even sound like myself.

[@jeffross9620]

@@BayouJosh Even though you don't have a British accent, I can listen to you for a long, long time and enjoy every word!

[@mortenholm100]

You are such an inspiration in everything you say and do. THX

[@BayouJosh]

Thank you my friend.

[@mzeeshanch]

Inspire, Don't discourage... Awesome... We need this sentiment more than ever...

[@BayouJosh]

😃

[@patriciablyler6484]

Hey Josh! Thanks for the encouragement! Your videos and images do inspire me to keep at it and enjoy!

[@BayouJosh]

That’s wonderful Patricia! It’s a fantastic hobby!

[@harrykokinos8546]

Great video Josh, my favorite one to date. People forget where they started and who helped them sometimes. Thanks for the great content

[@BayouJosh]

No doubt! thank you Harry.

[@spenceford4299]

Very good advice. Thank you.

[@BPaparazzi]

Excellent video Josh lots of great points.

[@robverduyn6541]

Another great one, The Sony seems to be doing its part. Great photos. Say hi to Katie for me. See you next week.

[@BayouJosh]

Katie says hi! Thank you Rob.

[@terryanderson7036]

Thanks for the time you put into all your videos. This one is one of my all time favorites that I always pass onto my friends and people I meet on my journeys.

[@davidmotisko4552]

Wonderful words, images and footage Josh. Thanks for sharing.

[@BayouJosh]

Thank you so much David

[@kumingo]

Great tips. Love the last one in particular.

[@BayouJosh]

Thank you Tyson.

[@JRodPhotoArt]

Great video Josh !!! Keep them coming

[@BayouJosh]

Thank you James.

[@roberth9672]

Josh, I think the advice you gave at the end of the vlog. About surrounding yourself with good people and being a good person to be around. I think it's paramount in having a good life. Everything else comes secondary. Well done.

[@BayouJosh]

I agree!

[@tom_photo]

Bird photography is among the tricky ones but it's very rewarding when you succeed. Kind regards!

[@georgemason2472]

Great video. All good. Sometimes I just lower the camera and enjoy the experience. Always nice to see those little details that we never notice just looking through the binoculars

[@DflyDude]

Such good videos you produce. "Avoid comparing someone's middle to my beginning." I think I will use that in a talk this Sunday.

[@BayouJosh]

Use it brother. That’s good advice I heard many years ago. Thanks as always.

[@RandyPollock]

I'm thankful for the lessons and advice I have received over my years of photography... it has made me a more humble photographer

[@vinaybluesheep5978]

What a lovely video to watch 🥰

[@brucegraner5901]

Very good advice. I start by trying to remind myself that I'm lucky just to have places to get out to nearby and the health to enjoy them, to be into the outdoors. When I'm "out there" I see and learn something new almost every day and, if I'm really lucky, what I've learned prepares me for the opportunities to capture what I see so I can hold it for a moment in time and, perhaps, to share something of the wonder I find in those moments. That's a good day.

[@BayouJosh]

It is nice to have good health and good locations.

[@j.kimmer1509]

Thank you for this beautiful video ... looked forward to it. Love your line " Surround yourself....and be a good person to be around" I chuckled as I was listening and reading the text on screen and noticed you were standing "alone."... Just found it entertaining....the imagery lol

[@BayouJosh]

Struggle with my own advice sometimes. 😆 this was one of those cases where I didn’t get enough footage the first two times out and had to go back out by myself.

[@thomasneal7126]

You are so right about being nice and encouraging to others Josh. We all feel like who am I? nobody respects me enough to care if I encourage them, but sometimes all that one person needs is that little bit of encouragement from anybody to put them on their path in life. I have seen it work from firsthand experience. You have a gift for telling and narrating stories with your photos and video. Hopefully you find the right balance with it all so it will allow you to keep producing your work, it is encouraging for a lot of viewers.

[@lokeshrupali]

Perhaps the most well written peice on bird photography, that uve ever seen. Kudos and thanks.

[@BayouJosh]

You’re very kind. Thank you 😊

[@GiuseppeGessa]

I've got more bad days than good days, in wildlife photography, but I always enjoyed and I always enjoy now staying in nature.

[@BayouJosh]

Same. 😊

[@littlerapidsphotography2554]

Everything you said was spot on! Thanks for another great video. I just enjoy being out in nature whether I'm getting "the shot" or not. 😊

[@bestpix100]

Wonderful and inspirational advice. Thanks so much

[@BayouJosh]

I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.

[@ramv185]

Just beautiful!!!

[@ridealongwithrandy]

What can I add to this, not much.Good Stuff Josh. Words of wisdom. Cheers!

[@BayouJosh]

Thank you Randy

[@fredheidepriem1142]

I’m not so much birds, but whatever wildlife l encounter. Mostly fails, but still love being out more than anything! It’s all good!

[@BayouJosh]

😄success is relevant.

[@simon_dentremont]

Great as usual Josh! The first one is so true…if my camera broke down, I wouldn’t even go out any more.

[@BayouJosh]

Right! 😆😆 I giggled last night when I saw your video and you mentioned that it wasn’t a competition.

[@Namaste..]

You've outdone yourself in this one, Josh! Loved it!!

[@BayouJosh]

Thank you so much. I appreciate it

[@michaelsurratt9593]

Years ago, I worked for a golf company. So, I played a lot of golf. It is of course one of the most frustrating games on earth. I was talking to another guy there one day and he said you go out, work hard practice and you have a crappy day on the course, you consider wrapping that $500 around a tree and give up. Then you knock the living daylights out of one and it keeps you from giving up. “It is that one good shot that keeps you coming back.” It applies to our photography too. I go out, hike ten miles, summit a mountain, come home and you hate all your images and then, you get one shot you like or at least you don’t hate. Then you go back out and do it again. I try to create five a day I don’t hate and hopefully one that I like. It keeps me coming back.

[@BayouJosh]

That’s a great philosophy! I’ve even given up on the five a day! I’m down to five a year. 😆

[@michaelsurratt9593]

@@BayouJosh I can relate. Keep up the good work. Share it with Katie. Gear doesn’t matter. The number of keepers don’t matter. Spending time with family doing what you enjoy is All that matters.

[@forkintherode8236]

I think we embrace the challenge of photography. I know what I want in a shot, and if not available, I just look in the binoculars and enjoy. I hope you can come to Magee Marsh someday for warblers. Kenn Kaufman lives nearby, and you have a good chance of meeting him. Oh, and I want it delivered!

[@BayouJosh]

I’d love to make it out there.

[@vijayantsharma9622]

Lovely lessons and well drafted. Thanks for sharing Josh!

[@BayouJosh]

Thank you my friend. I appreciate it.

[@joecronin5017]

another great video, you now have the toyota and the sony it doesn't get any better lol thanks again from canada...

[@BayouJosh]

😄2 Toyotas and 3 Sony cameras. I need to think about buying American.

[@joecronin5017]

@@BayouJosh then you wouldn't own a camera at all lol

[@neilgilbert1237]

Wonderful video Josh. Thank you. I am a keen follower of your sage advice as I wrestle with the highs and lows of bird photography. Thanks for doing what you do.

[@BayouJosh]

It’s a real thing Neil. We’re not alone in that.

[@cguerrieri4866]

Well put and so true. Just do it for the fun and pleasure of the process

[@BobK58]

The thing I've learned as a bird photographer wannabe is the importance of shutter speed. I don't care how good the IBIS is a fast shutter fixes a lot of camera shake.

[@BayouJosh]

That is true

[@JeffandLeslie]

Exactly. IBIS and Lens Stabilization helps manage my shake but they do little to nothing to manage the movement of the subject. The shutter speed still needs to be high enough to freeze subject movement.

[@richardramsay1795]

@@JeffandLeslie 33j we

[@steveboys5369]

Wise words Josh, thanks for sharing.

[@BayouJosh]

Thank you Steve.

[@3HOCFRESKO]

Great work advice! I found myself in the words you said personally and professionally. I'm a beginner in the bird photography but someday I will be someone!

[@aikohuckauf4581]

Danke!

[@Jessehermansonphoto]

Excellent as usual.

[@BayouJosh]

Thanks Jesse.

[@sampeep2527]

I see your back to a 600 and a tripod! I am enjoying my 500mm pf and feel liberated but I always wish I had my 500mm f4 and not just on the shelf at home. Wonderful video

[@BayouJosh]

If I didn't do video, I would never use the tripod. I hate tripods.

[@DD-ew9dm]

So many true words. Thank you very much!

[@1946bike]

Some good advice given....have great weekend ...snap a few for good measure ...

[@BayouJosh]

Thank you David. You too my friend

[@cesarm8811]

Great lessons...as always I enjoy watching your channel. Looking forward to your next video.🎞

[@BayouJosh]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you so much.

[@Giantcappuccino]

This is the third video that I've seen of yours and I have to say, they are top notch!

[@BayouJosh]

I appreciate it Jason. Thank you my friend.

[@AdrianW.Photography]

Some good lessons. Keep them coming

[@BayouJosh]

Thank you my friend

[@LFPG100]

Inspiring and encouraging! Thank you!

[@BayouJosh]

Thank you so much.

[@kentaufderheide8454]

You videos are awesome!!

[@BayouJosh]

Thank you Kent

[@ellasdad45]

Great video as always, I appreciate your kindness very much.

[@BayouJosh]

Thank you Ted. I appreciate your tagging along.

[@jh-1983]

Remarkable how much your lessons resonate with me. Getting into the hobby in much the same way as you, I find it's a struggle sometimes to get up, get out and go but a little effort goes a long way and a lot of effort gives a lot of joy and often good results. It's difficult today to take a step back.. realise why you do what you do and remember to enjoy it. Do you ever have days where you feel deflated and defeated because you've seen someones fantastical images on instagram and you've spent the whole day getting a whole lot of nothing?

[@BayouJosh]

all the time James. I make these videos to remind myself of these principles more than anything. It is easy to get caught up in that comparison trap. We've all spent days and months of getting nothing. 😄

[@anthonylujan]

Loving every word you spoke. The photography is more than 5 amazing photos a year! :+)

[@BayouJosh]

Thank you Anthony. It certainly is.

[@mikeharris4226]

Those are some good looking species

[@BayouJosh]

We’re lucky to have some nice birds here locally.

[@ilhomjonerkinov6262]

Hello, nice to see your videos, they are awesome :)

[@BayouJosh]

Thank you so much ☺️

[@philipculbertson55]

Really nicely done Josh. I just found your channel. I started bird photography late in 2021. It really is an addicting pursuit.Thank you for what you are doing.

[@BayouJosh]

Welcome aboard. It is a beautiful Hobby.

[@guyjackson4143]

I've never been a golfer but have been told the only person you try to be better than is yourself the last time you played. I look at photography the same way, the only person I need to be better then is myself. I have a few mostly lucky shots that make other photographers want know everything about. All I can tell them is where I was and the time of year, I don't keep all the technical stuff, after all I just got lucky! When it comes to photography I'll take luck over skill any day of the week.

[@BayouJosh]

Yeah, that sums it up.

[@wildcousa]

These are the issues I run into everyday, thanks for advice this is a life long journey.

[@BayouJosh]

I think we all run into these issues. We just got to keep a little perspective.

[@gw2k66]

Awesome video. Great lessons to live by. Thank you.

[@BayouJosh]

Glad you enjoyed it! thank you,

[@amitdutta8768]

Very nice video and wonderful tips. Thanks Bayou.

[@naturebydavidm]

Fantastic content, bayou josh

[@BayouJosh]

Thank you 🙏

[@davidbogard4826]

Beautiful work! I have been shooting landscapes for many years. But I have wanted to do birds since I was a kid. I recently got a Nikon 200 to 500mm and can't wait to give it a go. Keep up the great videos.

[@lights_and_shadow6793]

Great lessons 👌 I do also photography as hobby but I really enjoy every moment.

[@patkeen8668]

Wonderful advice regardless of your skill level. Glad I found your channel.

[@BayouJosh]

thank you my friend.

[@allenfutrelle9090]

Well said, enjoy the experience.

[@BayouJosh]

Thank you my friend

[@RJ-nk9qz]

Regarding the aspect of patience and just to be happy to be surprised, I've lived by the wisdom of Ansel Adams when he said, "Twelve significant photographs in any one year is a good crop." 📷 Thanks for the zen.

[@thisisme1999]

So relatable! I am in year 10 and I can whole heartily agree with so much of your philosophy. I came into birding from photographing flowers and gardens and I sometimes find the birding aspect (listing) messes with my photographic efforts. Yes I do share my sightings on Ebird, I feel I need to pay back to all those people who shared the sightings and locations which allowed me to find new birds and locations. But sometimes I want to say screw it and I will not report these sightings! But I mostly do and Saturday (May14) is a World wide Big Day of birding on Ebird where the focus will be to see as much as you can. And I will participate not to win any prizes but to increase my own personal bird list ( see I am stuck!) I am comfortable with your philosophy and I believe that most of us get there if we just put in the time. Happy Birding!

[@JenRitchiePhotography]

Needed that today - thanks, Josh!

[@BayouJosh]

Glad it was helpful. Thank you my friend

[@richardprovost6148]

Thanks Josh for posting this great video; watching it while having my first espresso in the morning is a sure way of starting the day in a very positive manner. I must admit I was sadly starting to think that you were falling in the bottomless rabbit hole of gear/brand/ review and comparison with your last few videos. Now this new ‘episode’ comes up this morning and I’m happy to see that your story telling talent is back in full force. Probably selfish on my part, but that is why I subscribed; life lessons , experiences on the field and seeing you and your wife enjoying this hobby as a couple. Thanks again and wish you guys a great weekend.

[@BayouJosh]

Thanks for always tagging along Richard.

[@xijiang2728]

That last bunting image can be one of the best 5 or 6. Today I just drove an hour, spent 6 hours trying and came back with nothing exciting... Totally agree with you said here.

[@BayouJosh]

That’s 90% of my trips! Nothing you give excited about. Thank you my friend

[@lifeandlandscapesinecuador]

Thanks for telling us what you have learned, not what we should do.

[@BayouJosh]

What you should do ….. that’s our family motto. We’re always giving each other advice that we don’t need. 😆

[@alexandermckown1409]

In your 5 Tips and Tricks you mentioned an aphorism about comparing yourself to someone else. It was very good advice. I have another one on the same topic: "Don't compare your insides to someone else's outsides." .I love your blog. Alex

[@BayouJosh]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@apstudios01]

Tips to follow right there. Thanks for sharing Josh.

[@BayouJosh]

thanks Chuck, Not exactly gonna help ya with your exposure but maybe it'll help calm the nerves. 😄

[@scarface1961]

What the heck!?! Did you switch the type of shoes, coats, and glasses you use? Hahahaha!!!! Some good hearted humor poking fun at your last two vids.

[@BayouJosh]

😆

[@PhotographybyTimWMoore]

Love those Buntings! We actually had one in our backyard here on the Oregon coast the other day! If you look at their summer range in your bird book, you will see it was not suppose to be here. But for the past two years, the little bunting has made it to Tillamook County. The world is slowly changing. It has been for billions of years. Thanks for the inspiring video Josh!

[@BayouJosh]

goodness. that is a little off course. Nice treat! Thanks for watching Tim.

[@buttonlover86]

That is the truth Tim. Someone in Idaho saw a Blue Jay last year. I haven’t seen one here yet but I hope to. It’s fun seeing unexpected things. We saw a Booby in New Orleans. Not the kind you see on Bourbon Street. A Brown Booby. This comment keeps getting worse but that’s a bird.

[@PhotographybyTimWMoore]

@@buttonlover86 it is fun to travel to a different region and see and photograph all the beautiful birds. I bet the local bird photographers giggle watching someone awe over a bird that they see every day!

[@JeffandLeslie]

very thoughtful video Josh. Thanks for sharing. Personally, I came close to going the other way and letting "birding" get in the way of photography. After a while, I realized I really didn't care about a life list or a county list or whatever. What I loved doing was capturing images of beautiful creatures, flowers, landscapes and sharing those with others in a hope that my excitement about these things would "rub off" on others. I've had some success in this and some failures but in the end, Jeff is happier for it. Again, Josh and Katie, very well done video. Thanks for sharing.

[@BayouJosh]

Thank you so much Leslie. I just never gave cameras much thought early on. With small kids and limited income it seemed like such a far-fetched idea. A luxury really. So the $125 binoculars and $14 field guide made a lot more sense for our pocketbook. I certainly can’t imagine going out without a camera now.

[@Treydmusicmedia]

"Sniff, sniff, WAAAAAH!!" That, Mr. Bayou is the call of the immature Photographus newbieus! I see this bird every morning even before I have my first cup of coffee. I see it when I look in the mirror. I see scores of them when I open a folder of the day's shots. I've only been doing the animal photography thing for about two years and it surely is engrossing! It is quite a change from my beginnings when I started shooting pictures of rare plants and landscapes for scientists. I find myself obsessed with the gear. I'm almost positive, maybe, that better gear will make me a better photographer (after all, I only have mid-grade gear). But when I take a better picture, I dip my head, inhale deeply, and let out my series of calls, "But I still have the same gear! How did I do this? Why this time and not when I thought the shot was going to be a winner? Sniff, sniff, WAAAAAH!" For solace, I watch your videos. You keep me grounded. Your genius only can be perceived (by the challenged like me) over a broad timeline that allows for comparison and synthesis. Thank you, sir! This video brought me back to the lessons in my memory (so easy to forget). Thank you!!

[@BayouJosh]

😄 how long does it take for that bird to mature? I hope I can grow out of that myself.

[@Treydmusicmedia]

@@BayouJosh Tangent: Over these last two years, I watched a backyard Rufous Hummingbird male grow to maturity. A couple of weeks ago, I watched him feed and preen very slowly and staying put for very long periods of time. I had no idea that hummingbirds could flap their wings that slowly. Then I watched him fly away very slowly....... I had enough presence of mind to bid him a fond farewell. "Sniff, sniff, WAAAAH" (for other reasons this time)!

[@kerrygrim7934]

I enjoy your photography. It is a pleasure to see a photographer as yourself who has been a birder for a long time and knows and understands bird behavior. I worry about all of these new photographers that push the birds to the point of chasing them; the photos being most important. Locally (in PA) the sighting of a Snowy Owls has been terrible with photographers in particular. I am also a photographer (male) and a birder for 47 year. However, I almost never do bird photography, not wanting to drag around the equipment, nor do I have the funds to buy equipment to do it at a level I would like. My efforts are directed more toward landscape. Just doing landscape place me outside where my ears are always listening for bird song. I just subscribed to your KZbin channel and look forward to future videos, as well as looking at previous ones. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, photos, and your knowledge of our great outdoors.

[@BayouJosh]

I worry about that too. thanks for tagging along Kerry.