Bird Photography - The Journey to Mastery

In this video, shot from my sick bed, I explain the reasons I set up this Phil Gower Bird Photography channel and the stages of competency all bird photographers need to go through before can truly achieve mastery.
Based on a model describing the 4 stages of competency first described by Noel Burch in the 1970s.

[@davidsneddon2242]

Heh Phil stay safe and get well soon, man. Burch's model is well known should be applied at all times in all our developments and in almost all endeavours so thank you so much for the very timely reminder. Smooth operator that you are cheers Phil. Excellent as always.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Cheers David! Can’t wait to get back on feet and out birding!

[@davidsneddon2242]

@@philgowerbirdphotography Absolutely Phil, be safe and well.

[@jimkelleher8457]

Thank you Phil, I hope you are better by now. I believe I am at the upper end of conscious incompetence. I was at Yellowstone National Park when I first started my photography journey. The unconscious incompetence stage. Thinking I would come home with some beautiful photos of the spectacular wildlife there. Sadly I was disappointed. It is getting better thanks to people like you. Jim

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thanks Jim! Good luck with your journey!

[@longrider9551]

Phil I am so happy to have found your channel. I have been practicing photography for 5 years and wildlife for 2. I find you to be extremely inciteful and a natural teacher. Your chart was brilliant and I am in the intermediate category, so very frustrated at times lol, but with help like yours I am making progress 💖👍

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thank you so much for your positive feedback...it great to know where you are on your road to mastery. But really as in all things grasping continuous improvement is the critical thing. Happy snapping!

[@a.colodey5982]

Thanks for the insights & hope you are feeling better soon.

[@stevenoon2828]

Top job Phil, excellent video work and images...I'm so sorry to hear that you're not well with your back! I'm wishing you all the best here Phil and hope you get well soon, Steve

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Cheers Steve! It’s great to hear you are enjoying the videos! The back is on the mend and I’m upright....hopefully I be fully fit in time for the lifting of restrictions. All the best and keep your brilliant images coming!

[@karenrice9538]

Phil, I think you’re awesome. I am recently retired an just getting into bird photography. Thank you for sharing your knowledge! I hope you are feeling better!

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Hi Karen, thank you for your feedback and welcome to the hobby. I hope to see many brilliant images from you. 👍

[@danielbebberphotography5591]

Thank you so much for the video. I wish you a fast recovery. I'm still in the beginning status. I'm taking my camera every day when I go out for a walk with my little son. As soon he falls asleep I can do my thing for a little while. It definitely helps me a lot. Wishing you all the best and I'm looking forward watching your next video 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Cheers Daniel, good idea to start them young!

[@tonybest9307]

Phil am 73 and just last 4 years got back to it .. I was 1970s om2s..I find the digital learning curve is very hard for me but less wet and smelly .. no darkroom now ..so am very happy to have found you .ive joined a local wildlife group here in Salford but it's seriously involved with wildlife on council levels...just got into birds,, sony a6500. and 70,350 .my kick start gear for wildlife. get well soon mate.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Great that you are bank taking photo’s. I had a black and white darkroom back in the 70’s then lost touch with until about 7 years ago. Digital certainly makes life easier! Thanks for watching Tony!

[@michaelwallwork7482]

Hi Phil. I discovered you by chance last week, and glad I did. I watched the vlog, and subscribed straight away. What stunning images. I'm sure my bird photography, will improve because of you👍. Hope you're feeling better soon. Best wishes Mick👍 P.s look forward to your next vlog.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thanks Mick, very kind!

[@DazLane123]

You will never stop learning and thats what keeps it interesting , I normally shoot Landscape but because of 5K restrictions had to find something else to shoot , so taught about how to shoot wildlife , I think trying to learn different areas of Photography helps you develop , I have the Sony a7111 and 70-200 F4 wish I had longer reach , but I can see a lot of Skill and understanding in your excellent Photos Phil , Your well up that curve mate , thanks for the Videos and inspiration , hope the back gets better soon.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thanks Darren I hope to be on my feet soon. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@achmadsadikin495]

Awesome video Phil. Thank you for your inspiring journey. I am still newbie for a bird photography, your channel helps me alot in step by step learning the techniques. Hope you are well so you can teach us more. Stay safe and healthy...

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Many thanks Achmad! I’m glad you enjoyed the video and all the best with your photographic journey!

[@AstroNature_31]

Great video Phil And prompt recovery

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thank you Philippe!

[@brainspace3133]

Great video Phil. Well done. Hope you feel better soon.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thank you!

[@jeffbrown4743]

Yes food for thought indeed. A well structured video of a journey many will relate to. Keep enjoying the challenge and here is to your recovery enabling you to continue your passion.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thanks Jeff

[@colindalton7379]

Great video Phil,get well soon.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thank you!

[@jennyusherwood1355]

Hi Phil, great video, I hope you can get out of bed soon! Having made the transition from aircraft photography to wildlife photography in the last few years, there's no going back for me now! I think wildlife is more challenging than aircraft, I had to adjust to the unpredictable nature of my new subjects and the new level of patience and knowledge required. The competency chart was new to me and makes sense! As with a lot of things in life practice is the key, I have had the chance to practice over the last 9 months whilst on furlough and I am keen not to let it slip now I am back at work. I think I am currently in the conscious incompetent box . Looking at other photographers work on Flickr is helping me improve, giving me ideas and new things to try . Your BIF video was excellent and I have a lot to learn in that area! Keep up the videos, they are useful and interesting. Thanks.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thanks Jenny! Sounds like things are beginning to back to normal for you. I'm back on my feet and can't to get out to do some birding when the lockdown ends. Happy snapping!

[@steveverityphotography1281]

Great video Phil, I think that I am a beginner as you would see from my KZbin channel. But I hope to get better by watching more channels like yours and getting out there and taking pictures when it is possible. Thank you so much for sharing and I hope your back gets better soon, Cheers Steve V

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thanks Steve....it’s comments like your which makes me want to create more videos!

[@steveverityphotography1281]

Your very welcome.

[@mediamannaman]

Best wishes for a full recovery. Don't rush it - backs have their own timeline and they really don't care about your schedule. ;-) Your photos are amazing. I'm at the first stage, or maybe even a stage below that below that (let's call it Stage 0), where I take bad bird pictures that I know are bad but don't understand why, or how to improve them. Ha!! Shooting with Panasonic G9 and Panasonic 100-400. Looking forward to learning from you.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thanks for watching and commenting. It’s not a problem where you are just as long as you are on the journey. Welcome!

[@scdawes]

Hi Phil , interesting video as always and hope you make a speedy recovery from your current back problem. As for the photography I would like to think I am at the conciously competent stage of my journey but not sure how long if at all it will be for me to make the next leap up

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Cheers Steve! Feeling better thanks. I certainly think I’m at a similar stage. The main to strive for continuous improvement or “kaizen” as the Japanese describe it.

[@SelkiiDphotography]

Another enjoyable and appreciated video. First, a belated congratulations on your Shutterbug write-up! As to your question, what stage I think I am at depends on what day you ask me. Some days I come home with disappointingly few usable frames, other days everything goes right. My graph is a bit jagged with occasional plateaus. No matter what, every day out with the camera is an adventure, each ending with excitedly planning the next. The main thing is to keep learning, striving to improve and, of course, loving every minute of it. Sending you good thoughts for a rapid healing.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

“Hear hear!!” Feeling much better today thank you Sonia. I don’t understand your Shutterbug comment, I must have missed that. Happy snapping!

[@grahamhall6516]

Wishing you well Phil, hope you get out and about soon and thanks for the insight as to where I am (unconsciously incompenent) and the journey I have ahead of me!

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

😃 we’ve all been there and it doesn’t take long to move through the stages!! Good luck and thanks for commenting!

[@razvandanulescu9462]

A detailed analysis, a very interesting point of view and a plastic and comprehensible picture of the evolution of a wildlife photographer. Congratulations and quick recovery! It's very good for your vertebrae that Sony has the lightest 600 mm f4, but be very careful and for the future think about the photo on the tripod in a hide. I am in a similar medical situation and, unfortunately, we are not rejuvenating.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

I have had the back problem for quite a while and have to be careful with each photographic adventure!!

[@martinpettinger]

Hi Phil ..sorry to see you in bed... a sight I never thought I would ever have to witness ! :-))) Hope you are back up and vertical very soon . I loved this video it is a very clear and concise view of getting 'better' at what we do. My thoughts would be to enjoy the 'journey' because its better to take your time to truly understand where you are on it. On equipment ... learn what you camera combination does and does not. I have seen a lot of people swop and swop again in some vague hope the camera will do it all... it will not no matter how good the tec becomes. We all try to defy the physics.... and light and distance are always the constraints we are working with. Looking forward to your next on screen show ... take care my best wishes to you and yours .

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thank you for your kind words and very true points you make. I’m back on my feet now and looking forward to lots more birding!!

[@teresajohnson1149]

Thank you for the inspiration! I have followed you on Flicker but have not been on for about a year, need to return and start working harder on my photography! Hope you feel better soon so you can get back out there. Thanks again for the push!

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Looking forward to seeing your images!

[@christyh7609]

Thank you for another great video Phil and I hope your back gets better soon. I have had bulging discs before and they are not fun. I have never heard of these stages before but I think I am the second one, the conscious incompetent one. But, I keep striving for better :)

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thanks for watching Christy!

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

That’s all we can do: strive to become better...good luck with your journey!

[@inerro.landoutdoorwildlife]

Very interesting analysis , very helpful to find out where I think I was and where I really am, put things in a different perspective. Thanks for sharing and hope you'll get well soon. Take care!

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@stevedavis2050]

Hi Phil - wishing you a speedy recovery along with the others 😊 Thought provoking video that, and wouldn’t like to judge where I am, though I’m a great believer in never stopping learning. I think that to some degree I move up or down a level based on opportunity ? For example, I’m sure I take better quality images at dedicated hide set ups.... I’m currently seriously considering returning to the Canon fold for the new mirrorless animal eye af equipped bodies - more learning 😂

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

I’m guessing I’m the sake migrating to different stages depending on the situation. I left Canon a year age....animal eye detect...now they tell me !!😄

[@jivkonakev932]

Hi Phil, greetings from Bulgaria. Wish you a quick recovery, hope you'll get well soon!

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thank you...I think I’m on the mend now

[@dondunning6188]

Phil - never thought I’d see you in bed for any reason😂 You continue to get smoother with each new video👍 Gaining competence in photography is a microcosm of doing it in life, although with less dire consequences. Not everyone thinks about the journey from total unconsciousness to living a life of conscious integrity. Judging the quality of our own photos is not the easiest thing. Regarding photography and life, the writer, Anais Nin, wrote, “We don’t see things as they are. We see them as we are.” BTW, I can’t remember you smiling in any of your videos. It couldn’t hurt.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thanks for you comments Don, always appreciated. I’ve already smiled twice and I’m only 10 videos in...come on cut me some slack!😄😄

[@colinmayes1255]

You started about the same time as me I started in 2010 and had the same cameras and lenses and I have just upgraded to a R5 as I did not fancy changing all my gear especially as I use the 400mm do f4 mk 2 which I love ever since selling my 600 f4 and started using the 100 -400 mk 2 I enjoyed using the lighter gear with no tripod and made several shots that I could not have done with the heavy set up plus I am 63 and enjoy the freedom of using lighter gear and walking further,I have a friend tony rawson who swapped over to sony and I was on the verge after seeing his work then canon announced the R5 so stayed loyal but mainly as I have so much gear and did not want the hassle of trying to sell it all and like you I retire in 3 weeks so happy days and looking forward to picking the days to go out I just thought we had several things in common Cheers and good luck Colin

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Hi Colin, thanks for watching the video and making contact. I’ve following your work on Flickr and I’ve always been impressed. Have a great retirement, you certainly have a great camera so enjoy!

[@colinmayes1255]

thanks mate Im sure I will @@philgowerbirdphotography thanks mate

[@NurIsmailMohammed]

Get well soon, Phil!

[@juancontrinaoleson3429]

Well done Phil... excellent help throughout the video... wishing you all the very best and look forward to more great videos !

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thank you very much for your positive comment!

[@juancontrinaoleson3429]

@@philgowerbirdphotography Thank you Phil!!!1!!! I love you

[@Richcovephoto]

Mmmmm it sounds like my journey... lol I have taken the jump into Sony and dumping the canon gear.. I have never really shared my bird photography on my KZbin channel but I plan to do it going forward. What stage am I at? Good question! I’m ok at birds in flight but there is a lot more to learn and that’s why I’m sitting here watching KZbin vids to help me get better. Thanks for the vid and stay well. 👍🏻

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Good luck with your journey Rich and thanks for watching!

[@Richcovephoto]

@@philgowerbirdphotography thank you.. I may bump into you one.. I’m a southern softy too.. in Fareham.. lol

[@brianroylans1246]

A great video. Hope you are soon up and about.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Getting better already!

[@ianmcgill6674]

Fabulous video Phil, very interesting. Personally I think I am slowly moving from the conscious incompetent towards conscious competent stage, but it is a slow process, would you agree with my analysis from my photos that you have seen on Flickr? I am open to critique so honest opinion is fine. Most of my shots are just taken out and about with not much in the way of setup shots. Hope your back is better ASAP.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Cheers Ian...you have a great stream on Flickr....I would say conscious competence is right!

[@rakeshnambiar1897]

👌Get well soon Sir

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@rmanuelb]

Thanks. Get better. Cheers!

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Cheers!

[@johnlocke7097]

I have been into wildlife photography for a few years now and I have just upgraded from an entry level camera to a Canon 7D mk2. It will be interesting to see if the camera change makes a difference. I can see a difference in photos I took early on to the ones I take now, but I know I am not where I want to be. I am not in a financial position to travel so all my photography has to be local, in a way this forces me to look at things in a different way as I try to improve, which is good. Get well soon from another back sufferer, once you have a back problem it never leaves you.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thanks John...I’m on the mend...I’ve had this problem for 20 years...so getting used to it. Good luck with the 7D MK II a great birding camera!

[@steverobinson939]

Hello Phil - Thanks for the video. I am just starting out in bird photography (I call it my "all the gear, no idea" phase). You mentioned that you did an online coarse, what would you recommend?

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Photography Institute and Institute of Photography have good online courses but not bird specific.

[@Falkenroth1]

I was just laughing at some of my first pictures today on my Facebook timeline. At least the trend as I scroll down is the pictures are getting better. Today birding I ran into an Englishman here in Arizona on business that was birding and we had a good chat. He was getting a bunch of lifers. Found a Black-and-white Warbler together. Fairly rare here in Arizona.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Always worth chatting to an English birder! 😄😄 What a wonderful hobby/job we have!!

[@sue.Hoo123]

Hope you are soon up and out with the wildlife again 👍

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thanks Sue!

[@warwickwolf3999]

Brilliant video.. I occasionally manage a reasonably decent image I’m happy with so I’d say I’m definitely still in the red zone, just got the RX 10, where do you think that stands as far as quality gear goes and the ability to get decent shots? given the users skill level is good?

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

@@warwickwolf3999 I’ll be interested to hear and see how you get on. Traditionally bridge camera’s have been good for perched birds but I know the RX10 AF is swift…so good luck and let me know how you get on.

[@warwickwolf3999]

@@philgowerbirdphotography cheers Phil, I’m on Flickr so you’ll be able to take a look 👍🏻

[@johncarroll8974]

When you feel better do you think you could do a video about how to bait different birds, or how to find different birds. do you use prop perches? what kinds of food do you use? do you ever use a speaker to play bird calls

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Hi John thanks for watching. I doubt I’ll produce a video devoted to these subjects but I will share my tips and tricks relating to theses subjects as the need arises in future videos.

[@johncarroll8974]

@@philgowerbirdphotography thanks much appreciated, Ive really been trying to put some of your topics into practice when i've been shooting. like on my IG: bigfootsphotos if you're interested in checking it out. My biggest issue is that i just trying to keep the amount of noise down

[@rmsaf870]

Get well soon.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Thank you!

[@josephdaigneau430]

Take your time get rest and relax

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

I will, thanks!

[@CamillaI]

You need a trolley Phil ! Well we never stop learning ! My Osteopath wouldn't let me lie in bed all day! We seem to have followed similar photographic paths, equipment and now even a bad back !! "Get up get going" as my Son always tells me ! No rest for the wicked ! or the Wildlife photographer !

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

I’ve had this problem for nearly 30 years...the consultants do not want to operate because the pain subsides in a few days and doesn’t affect my legs...just a pain. I converted a golf trolly some years ago...but much prefer not to use it.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Typo...should read 20 years

[@bjrnarberg9493]

Get well soon,backpain is awful hurting, believe me, i know👌

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

It’s not great is it...fortunately for the vast majority of the time I cam manage it okay.

[@maherali5735]

get better soon

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Cheers!

[@steveduff5157]

Get better soon

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Back on my feet now Steve. Thanks!

[@harrywarwick2490]

Just Bought a Nikkor 200-500mm lens for my Nikon D3400 hope it helps me

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

It’s provides great focal lengths for bird photography…happy shooting!

[@JPLamoureuxsTravels]

Hi mate, your poor bulge 😩 get well soon bud... JP

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Cheers Buddy

[@garybrown9719]

Sounds like Is time to get a smaller camera

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

😃

[@robcourt6837]

Lol. You can skip several steps by being smart and use PHOTOSHOP! Great photos are not taken, they are created in photoshop. Never forget that.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Great point! In my view post-processing has been and always will be an integral part of being a competent photographer.

[@steveduff5157]

The better the starting point the better the result can be. You can’t make a bad photo great.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

Absolutely right Rob!

[@andyallard5990]

Very interesting I really do not think you need upgrade you’re gay every year to get the biggest and best to be a good photographer some of the best Wildlife photography and still use the canon 5 mark one and take absolutely fantastic images okay if you got a big pocket I suppose the most of us haven’t thanks for sharing hope you up up and about soon.

[@philgowerbirdphotography]

I’ve got to agree with you Andy. At no point have I said you need to continually upgrade your gear for great bird photography. I (due to retirement windfall) upgraded last year but while great gear helps , I think fieldcraft, technique and skill are very important. Thanks for watching! I hope to spread more light on fieldcraft, technique and skill in future videos.