Bird Photography Tips for the Serious Photographer

[@sheilacasey6293]

I do try not to say anything negative, so I’m going to be positive, and say that Denise just has the patience of a saint. I couldn’t stay for the whole talk, which is a shame because Denise was great. Thank you Denise.

[@GeezerDust]

I appreciate you addressing the advancing age issues. At 74, my interest in photography is increasing, but my abilities are decreasing. Thanks so much.

[@JacobG-M]

Wow! Just WOW! This vid is 7-years old as of now, but its content is timeless!

[@AnandavadivelanV]

Love Arthur's wisdom on photography. Very insightful. I live in Sweden and this is the only way I can experience his teaching. Thanks B and H +Arthur Morris

[@drvgiri1989]

Anand V i

[@chuckrossi]

Artie, I enjoy all your presentations. I'm just getting into Bird photographing and I watch all your videos over and over again just incase I missed something.

[@BandH]

+Charles Rossi Check out this link! www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/tips-and-solutions/guide-birding-long-lenses -Todd

[@mohsinjessa8951]

Thanks B & H for bringing Arthur and his experience to us. I just purchased in March'16 7D MKII from you and am glad I made the right choice for bird photography. This video shows how the pros do it in the field - now I just have to PRACTICE.

[@maximme]

thank you , thank you by far, the BEST talk on bird photography with the most practical advice

[@BandH]

+Maxim Mee Thanks for watching, Maxim!

[@fderive]

I can't wait to watch this. Thank you Denise, Arthur and B&H.

[@BandH]

+fderive Enjoy!

[@tricia0073]

Denise's photos are outstanding.

[@jimmumaw7506]

I always enjoy bird photography workshops/presentations. I’m primarily an aviation photographer however I find that some ideas can translate while some can be of benefit with a little modification.

[@Lakefilms]

Perfect timing, I just got my 200-500 Nikon and I am loving bird photography but have much to learn. I am new to this type of photography... Actually, I was psyched after watching this and wanted to shoot but it was raining all day here. But, outside my back window, there was a Cardinal on a branch with raindrops all over it and I got a great shot!

[@BandH]

+Lance J. Reha Glad you liked it, Lance! Thanks for watching!

[@Lakefilms]

+B and H And of course got my lens coat from Scott!

[@johnfrost3100]

B and H more denise and artie video talks please

[@yoganathannatarajan4835]

HOW IS THE LENS MATE? I HAVE JUST BOUGHT IT AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW UR EXPERIENCE

[@johnlitchfield4815]

I live in Spain, and photograph most birds and animals, the first time I saw the results from my 200-500 I thought wow so sharp, and after 2 years I am still amazed at the results!!

[@AnandavadivelanV]

Would be useful to include the Q&A part also so we can learn more, any chance you have it recorded and can share?

[@slerickson01]

The bird photos were breathless and inspiring. Did get a few good tips to try.

[@thecrazyandthewild]

This couple is simply incredible! Thanks!!!

[@patyeaman]

Arthur & Denise, a fantastic presentation! Thank you B&H.

[@marypar4]

Wow..super critical group. Thanks to both presenters for this excellent presentation.

[@RRRCCCDDD]

Awesome - free lecture! This is gold! Thanks!

[@micheledandrealowell7]

The best bird photography tutorial ever! Thank you Art and Denise!

[@blackmithjohn]

I enjoyed the dialogue. Lots of wonderful information. Inspiring.

[@acsaiyanbalce4610]

Bird photography is by far the most challenging genre of photography when it comes to pure on camera skill.

[@MrBillkaz]

I agree although ever since I have been playing around with IR filter PP gives a run for my money

[@DannyGibsondgpix]

Brilliant talk - great tips and both photographers so eager to share secrets too.

[@old4004]

I always look forward to your presentations...................glad to see both of you!

[@martykrogh5256]

I really enjoyed all of the informative tips both of you provided.

[@BandH]

+Marty Krogh Thanks, Marty! Check out this link: www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/tips-and-solutions/guide-birding-long-lenses

[@AlexanderSogliero]

This was the most beneficial video on action and bird photography in specific I’ve seen. Fantastic presentation by both speakers, just excellent. A wealth of knowledge, thank you 🙏

[@darinl848]

good video. i was hoping you would mention the option of micro4/3 for 2x reach, half the weight and size. i upgraded from a sony A1 and 200-600 to a G9Mk2 and OM 150-400 f/4.5 Pro.

[@MikeyColon]

Awesome! Bird photography is perhaps the hardest genre.

[@markharris5771]

Next time you're in the uk got to Coquet Island in Northumberland, much better than Bass Rock because you get the Roseate Turns. But wear a hat, there's heck of a lot of birds flying over you. Another brilliant video, thank you.

[@zackhaleytattoos]

That was really awesome and informative thanks for sharing

[@shaileshchawla1461]

Some of the sanest advice on bird photography. I'm invited by some friends to the foothills of the Himalayas near water bodies. I have already wasted a few days at the nearby watering holes. Now I know what I was doing wrong. This is a very late comment, but my Sony a99ii has a highlights metering mode. If I use that, and add 2 stops of compensation, won't I be able to get perfect exposures each time. It has worked very well when I shoot Indian classical dance stage performances. Thanks for a really instructive video, Artie and Denise. Wish you good light always!

[@EricMesa]

Inspired me to get back to my bird photography and also to stop waiting and force myself to go on a trip to one of these exotic locales.

[@jamesclaassen8843]

A question for Arthur...you talked about the teleconverters on Nikon in one of your videos. I think it was this one but I've watched quite a few of yours. Do you recommend using a 1.4 converter with Nikon? I have one but have had a lot of problems with focusing. I'm a hobbyist and just got a Sigma 150-600 that I'm using with a D500 so I wasn't sure if I just needed practice or if I should just be satisfied with the 900mm crop and not add on another 1.4 converter.

[@godofhope]

1/2000s ISO400 f8 never worked for me. Maybe at the equator at noontime....I don't know....

[@HKarlsson]

Wow Arthur Morris is a serious heavyweight in bird photography, I've just shifted from portraits to nature/birds and it's hard, videos like these really help.

[@arthurmorris4932]

Hey Henrik, Thanks for your kind words. Enjoy and study. Where are you from? artie ps: Denise is no slouch when it comes to birds!

[@HKarlsson]

Arthur Morris I'm from Sweden. And just the other day I saw a big buzzard and I wished I had my gear with me. What is the single most important thing in your view, when it comes to bird photography? (Denise was a superb host in the show, and seems to be truly gifted)

[@arthurmorris4932]

+Henrik Karlsson Agree on Denise. The most important thing in bird photography is to pay attention to small details. There is a blog post on that subject in the next day or two. artie

[@HKarlsson]

Arthur Morris Looking forward to the article! Btw, your videos for Canon concerning bird photography is a gold mine of information Arthur, really worth watching for anyone interested in this type of photography =)

[@yvesmartel5252]

Hi Athur(same name as my father) and Denise!! Congratulation for your amazing pictures,absolutely stunning!!I want to start very serious bird photography and i would like to know what canon lens do you recommend me.I have the 7d mark 2 and the 70-200 f4 is.If the money is not a problem,the 500mm f4 is and téléconverters?Thank,s in advance!

[@1EagleDave]

sorry to say this but your photos are all pretty blurry? and iso at 800? i never take it off 200 max period and get awesome results

[@janmartin4400]

Fantastic class

[@MIODRUG]

I'm watching this video in Manual Mode; quality 144p, speed 1.5

[@etienneswart8700]

Boy I’ve learned a lot today 🇿🇦🥰🏅

[@UFGator1972]

Arthur Morris is impossible, how Denise puts out with his constant interruptions is beyond me.

[@robertocortinas5461]

Hey Arthur. I heard you several times during the video said that you used the 300mm+1.4X to capture some of the images. I am starting on bird photography and of corse with a restricted budged. I am trying to decide for a 300mm F4L IS or the famous 400mm L not IS and it comes to me if the 300mm will be not enough reach. What would be your recommendation ? Help, please.

[@ajschot]

Great lecture!!! Only all expensive stuff which is off course good for pro's who earn money but not for people like me who love to photograph but can not affort 500 F4 L and 600 F4 L... title should be: Bird Photography tips for the professional photographer. Would spot metering not be more correct?

[@JPAVANIPAVANICINEMA]

obrigado por compartinhar tanto conhecimento. Vivo em Roraima, Brasil, e é um lugar singular para observação de aves. abraços a todos. JPavani

[@dianapiscitelli9369]

AMAZING!

[@ed98027]

Thanks for the sharing. May I suggest to include the Q&A section at the end also in your future videos?

[@BandH]

+Edward Yen I would recommend heading over to our Explora Page that also features this video. You'll find the discussion section there: bhpho.to/1UQJeC0 *Andrea

[@ed98027]

+B and H thanks!

[@GeezerDust]

Appreciate you explaining how to pre-focus.

[@prizepig]

Thanks for the vid. I have never really done bird photography but I am going out to a refuge this weekend so I thought I'd grab some tips. I learned a lot and I will utilize many of these techniques. P.S. Artie sounds a lot like Bernie Sanders. :P

[@travellingbirder]

Absolutely stunning photographs and some very useful tips but all big birds. Can you guys get the results with warblers or hummers?

[@Don-md6wn]

From what I've seen, most photographers who specialize in songbirds and hummingbirds do so with setups, i.e. multiple flashes for hummingbirds, using blinds and setting up tree limbs and perches with clean backgrounds and using suet and other bait to attract songbirds. There are plenty of "workshops" where pro photographers with these setups have amateurs pay to get these shooting fish in a barrel type shots. Traipsing around with a big heavy lens and trying to shoot songbirds that are flitting around and usually are in mixed light can be very frustrating, though there are a few well known fallout places where people go to catch songbirds during migration.

[@Jimmy_Cavallo]

💥✨💥 6:49 ISO 400 f8. 1/2000... if shot at those settings all of my images would be dark.

[@MikeJones-oo7wi]

I have similar issues with these videos, i don't think they are telling all their secrets

[@Jimmy_Cavallo]

@@MikeJones-oo7wi I don’t get it. ISO 800 1/1250 f7.3 is more along the lines of where I am most times.

[@MrBillkaz]

F8 is that across the board for a baseline appartier ?

[@fishhuntcampcook]

Eyyy. I was at Wakodahachee today.. 2024 🤘

[@81wwwolf]

You guys are so good you don’t really need to oversell yourselves. I absolutely appreciate the tips and the photos but the attitude and the organisation could be improved if you care for feedback.

[@BillyInnes]

One of the best

[@voyageruno8938]

You can tell she hates him because he's constantly interrupting...

[@bensslightnature]

its amazing how "professional" photographers can be so clueless lol

[@kirkgardner2002]

some of these photos are out of focus. In the third photo the birds head was extremely blurry.

[@mkonop]

A technique to throwing bread to wildlife. Brilliant. That's right up there with a birding group I went out with once that had the leader walk out and flush a bird so the whole group could see it. I'm a thinking you should be taking pictures in a city park rather than out in the wild. Any kid in Yellowstone or any other park knows better than to feed wildlife. Made it 17 minutes even though he kept butting in...B&H, you ought to screen your presenters better.

[@johns5967]

Dennise alone should do the presentation. Art may have good knowledge/experience but he is infatuated with himself. Ditch Art, please.

[@jammyn7368]

The entire "talk" felt like a sales promo for their tours, and the old guy is annoying as well. I bailed after about 15 minutes.

[@MentalWhiplash]

Wow...I would expect bird photographers to be more conservation-minded...the logic for why it's ok to feed them bread is appallingly similar to the rationale I'd expect from my 5th grader to justify his bad behavior. Very disappointing. A great photographer records nature while interacting with it as little as possible...not "teasing" the birds to get them to hang around longer for easier pics. Sorry, all my favorite nature pics are accompanied by "and it never knew I was there".

[@suecollins3246]

Todd - bread is SO bad for birds. And couldn't they do this out in the field?

[@MrGflan]

Todd Bagley yes that is very sad. I actually reported a guy who I caught baiting baby owlets with worms. I try to follow after the great photographer John Shaw. He is a conservationist as much as a photographer.

[@williamlowry6492]

I feel like it's better, if possible, to try and gain the animal's confidence. Otherwise you risk scaring him if he realizes you are there.

[@MrAppoline]

Agreed

[@ojosenelmonte]

lovely pictures

[@jakecook716]

For such a great photographer he's not much of a conservationist. Bread is bad for birds FULL STOP. Just because they eat it because everyone throws them bread doesn't mean it's not bad for them. It's free food of course they will eat it!

[@tomaszstramel3594]

I was about to write the exact same thing. Birds should not be fed bread.

[@therealchickentender]

What's also bad for birds and the environment are preachy KZbin comments. Make a video on the subject and present it to the world for off-topic critique. Just appreciate the hour and a half free photography discussion. FFS.

[@kbellanger4140]

YES SIR

[@ianmackenzie8584]

@@therealchickentender You are an ignorant idiot. Shut up.

[@mrheadgardens1992]

@@therealchickentender I have never heard such a ridiculous take in my life. "Take your criticism where it can't be seen". Leave no trace, that means no poisoned birds.

[@jeepjoseph9036]

In a 15 year old with a d3500 and a sigma 70 contemporary (discontinued model 70-300 telephoto optical stabilization 200-300 macro f4-5.6). Is there any way to make photographing birds easier with my setup?

[@BandH]

In this case, we invite you to contact us via Live Chat on our website or e-mail us to [e-mail] so we can review your options.

[@bardot777]

Some great info from knowledgeable individuals. However the attitude to feeding bread shows zero respect for the subjects. Just google Birds suffering from angel wings to see what he is so flippant about.

[@gilbertmaina4873]

Lovely

[@godofhope]

Sadly you know if there are blinkies or if histogram is too far right after the shot :) Birds don't wait to set exposure properly.

[@jimknox4511]

Love your share and techniques with us; Been trying to get shots of some Chickadees.....Really, really....tough!!!!...Thanks guy's

[@peacerebelgirl]

it's true, white bread is not good for birds and can cause health issues. besides, you gotta wait for the birds to come not lure them with something they ought not have.

[@twiztedzero1685]

Captions required. We Deaf don't hear like you do. Thank you.

[@johnfrost3100]

best in the business

[@peargrin]

Can anyone answer this question for me? If a bird is flying toward you at any given angle, and you acquire focus and shoot a burst, won't the last shots be out of focus as the bird's position has changed? How do you shoot for this? Focus, click, refocus, click? Many thanks for any help!

[@StuninRub]

AF-C and unless you have an exotic prime, pray to the gods.

[@hankandlefty]

For Canon at least, use AI servo and make short bursts so it requires focus.

[@michaelboris2500]

peargrin Adjust your aperture setting for the least DOF.

[@Don-md6wn]

If you have good equipment and keep the active focus point(s) of your lens on the subject as best you can, the equipment and software will do its best to keep the subject in focus. But the closer the subject is to you and the faster it is moving, the lower your success rate will be. Like anything else, you get better with a lot of practice. Good equipment is a huge help, critical for really tough subjects. There is a tremendous difference between the autofocus speed and lock of Canon's 1-Dx (professional) and 5D Mark III (professional/high end consumer). I own both of those cameras, and my success rate on fast moving subjects with a 500mm lens is probably 3X to 5X as high with the 1D-X.

[@ianmackenzie8584]

No, if you lock on the focus becomes predictive not reactive. The trick is to lock on early and let the camera's algorithm work out it's movement.

[@Raevenswood]

"hey check out how great we are" "hey we are so great you should pay for one of our tours". Not to mention they openly admit to bating the birds. I feel like there are better teachers on KZbin.

[@jfphotography69]

I don't use tripods for BIF shots, never ever, Sigma 500mm prime and Nikon 200-500mm with my Nikon D500 and D850, and no teleconverters.

[@Angler13]

Just let Denise talk. Please.

[@GautamSingh-yn9cb]

Very informative

[@BandH]

Thanks for watching.

[@NaturalWorldChew]

Nice 👍

[@the_creative_frontier]

Too much of English and speaking, I wish there was some real action of the photographers on how they go about changing the settings, focusing , manipulate the AF, how do they focus, and how quickly they adjust the camera settings based on the anticipating , pre focussing , how do they chose the light . would like to see how they fill their view finders and how much of cropping they do in their post processing. Need to get more of their viewfinder rather thah the final post processed images...

[@bbq-man3058]

Sorry the links are faild to Spam Sites !!

[@gregbotlin4446]

Amen Eric

[@erichayton8188]

I found Art's just incredible arrogance and self satisfaction insufferable. Made it 20 minutes

[@charlesgyoung1]

Art's constant droning about which lens and setting IS insufferable. Cutting off the audience to not ask questions is just narcissistic. This is a lecture about him. To pay money to go on a photo shoot with him would be the most painful experience i could ever imagine. also too damn many images. But Denise is at least trying to teach. How she stands his ego is beyond me.

[@antonc108]

And I was thinking am I the only person who think the same? Apparently not when you guys commented the same feelings I had. There was a previous video of his seminar alone and it was even more so overbearing without Denise's cushioning.

[@Angler13]

Funny you say 20 minutes. I paused at 20:01 to write this comment. I couldn’t imagine paying money to listen to this guy. Denise? Sure. But this guy? There are better photographers with less arrogance.

[@andreasfredriksson1900]

this is a picture NEXT

[@michaelboris2500]

Eric Hayton haha, I was actually looking for this comment.

[@apocalypse487]

That guy is annoying. I know he's part of the presentation, but jeez, let her finish.

[@mickeyjetpur7998]

Denise, do you back button pre focus? Would that be a better way to do it? Thanks.

[@tomaszstramel3594]

She said she didn't (and probably still doesn't) use back button focus (5:16 -- 5:18).

[@deniseippolito]

Not for flight photography, I find it takes a lot more effort.

[@MrBillkaz]

She uses a low ISO range, no ?

[@johntravena119]

And if you have to feed birds bread to get a great picture, maybe you should take a cooking class or play mahjong.

[@ioanluculescu5266]

everything would be nicer speaking in a more systematic and concise manner.

[@kbellanger4140]

off the rip , wind has to be behind you? that makes no sense, birds land and fly against the wind . then she says ISO at a minimum 400? wtf is that? adjust to the available light , if its high noon or strong light I drop it to 100, HELLO

[@acsaiyanbalce4610]

kevin bellanger sure, if the wind is behind you, the bird will land or take off in front of you! As far as ISO’s, if there’s a lot of light and at least 1/1000 on shutter priority, I have auto ISO so even better for me if I have ISO 100 if auto iso let’s me...

[@tyke4873]

marsh harrier ,not hawk

[@GreatKeny]

Very nice lecture although a bit too many pictures.

[@lllucky13]

Alot of those shots were very grainy. 2500 shutter speed at f8 on my 600mm is very dark lift up the iso and thats were the grain comes from. i can get more or less the same shots using 1250 shutter speed

[@paulmarjoram2258]

Sorry but At 20min in it became a drone

[@LabeilleCreative]

Even tho they are just gulls, I don’t believe in bating an animal just to take pictures of it. It doesn’t feel as special that way.

[@godofhope]

Please clean your nose (to somebody in the audience) !!

[@marn3741]

Oh my God “thank you”. That nose snorting!, I want to puke!🤣🤣🤣

[@weizenobstmusli8232]

Why is he allways interupting Denise? It's annoying.

[@bobstringer9809]

Technology has surpassed this point -- almost irrelevant in 2021

[@bionicbird5290]

What the @;%$ is a damn blinky ?

[@MrGflan]

Bionic Bird it’s called a highlight. Some cameras have a setting that shows you if your whites are blown out (overexposed). Ideally you want the image not to blink, meaning the bird is not overexposed. Get to know how a histogram works and keep the graph a little more to the left so it’s not touching the left.

[@CassidyHansen]

Next

[@codforlife]

Arrogant, know it alls. Too many hard and fast rules. Not artists.

[@FlyNAA]

I think it was assumed that the audience understood so-called rules to be guidelines that are flexible and worth breaking at times to achieve something else. This was already a long and dense presentation, with no time to go into this discussion.

[@bobjackson33]

Far, far too long. Takes too long to get to the point. Seems to love his own voice. I agree with previous comment that bread should never be fed to birds. Bird seed is so cheap and far better for them. That and fat balls!

[@MikeJones-oo7wi]

Un-Cropped ! Try using a 75-300 and get the same results. One thing ive learnt about photography is there's alot of cheating.manipulation.

[@jimmumaw7506]

Mike, I’m not quite sure what you mean by “cheating and manipulation” but if you’re suggesting cropping, tonal and contrast mania then you’ve just condemned those artists such as Ansel Adams who worked magic in the darkroom. Only difference now is that the magic is done in a computer. Now, if you’re taking about exchanging backgrounds or moving the subjects, I’m with you.

[@janmartin4400]

Please don’t talk over the lovely lady while she is talking let her finish her presentation

[@ianmackenzie8584]

Bence Mate has surpassed these guys completely. Tired and tedious.

[@sureshdubey9962]

Lovely