Bird Photography - Why You Should Definitely Shoot in the RAIN

Today I'm visiting a bird photography hide hoping to capture atmospheric photos in the rain. If you haven't tried shooting birds in this weather, you really should! The soft light is beautiful and the element of rain allows you to get creative by varying your shutter speeds. Hopefully this video inspires you get out there in wet weather - but make sure to keep your camera dry!
In this video I'm using a Canon R6 and Canon EF 500mm f/4 Lens.
You can book a session in the hide with www.leedswildlife.co.uk - the hide will be open again from October with some exciting changes!
Why you should shoot in Bad Weather: • Wildlife Photography: ...
Watch me get drenched photographing Red Grouse: • The Reality of Bird Ph...
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This video was filmed with a Canon M50 and 15-45mm lens.
Equipment: Canon R6; Canon EF 500mm f/4 Mark i Lens
Music by Bad Snacks:
Easy Sunday
Equinox
Kate's Waltz
Wallflowers

[@grahamhopkinson1816]

No better weather Paul! The soft light shows feather detail so much better that harsh summer light Plus the rain streaks!!!!!!!

[@stevemartin239]

Thanks for sharing Paul. Nice shots. Plenty of opportunity recently & to come to practice shooting in the rain!

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

Absolutely. It's very rewarding so long as you can keep everything dry.

[@LouisaLee63]

I love getting birds in the rain photos! It’s something everyone should try!

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

Definitely!

[@nightwolf1592]

Fantastic work and tutorial. I’m new to all this and only have a compact camera with a 30x zoom (Panasonic TZ95) which is pretty good at macro and great fun. Went out in the rain and got some lovely flowers with raindrops on.

[@allanforsyth1933]

Cracking venue, had a day at the beginning of the month with lots of different birds in and out all day. Cracking job by Ian preparing the venue.

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

Excellent. The hide will be open again soon. Looking forward to using some autumn colour backdrops.

[@mikebrownhill4662]

Nice work. I really enjoy photographing wildlife in the rain (although I prefer to keep myself under cover if I can!) I did a hide session a few days ago when the rain was torrential and I had Kingfishers through, which made some images I really like. I underestimated how fast the rain was coming down at first though - I normally set between 1/80 to 1/125 to streak the raindrops but when I reviewed my early images the streaks were a distraction because they were top to bottom of the frame! Speeding up to 1/200 or even 1/250 gave me a nicer look under those conditions - so shutter speed can depend on how heavy the rain is! Anyway - there's no such thing as bad weather!

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

It's just experimentation. Yes, you are right. the speed of rain matters too!

[@cycle642]

Shooting in the rain is my favorite. time to photograph birds Thanks for the tips

[@benwestney6329]

Great video Paul, I’ve shot from that hide a few times, it’s a great spot and Ian is really helpful, hoping to get back soon👍

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

He's a great guy. He's replacing the hide in the next few days with a bigger one.

[@Diana-br3ts]

I enjoyed this video and the organic form of you sharing your experience about trying to keep you camera protected in the rain...fast forward to shots inside your car. I can relate to this! Protect the camera while still striving for that great picture opportunity 😅 I have sat in drizzling rain holding my camera with photos and when heavy rain came down, I hid the camera under my jacket when the rain came harder as I was trying to find shelter under trees. I WAS not too prepared for the water 😅.

[@Bassmunchkin1]

I've never been in wet weather at all even though all my gear is weather proof, BUT you certainly have inspired me to give it a go and you're also reminding me about being creative Paul. I've learnt my way around my R6 MKII and L lenses now and need to stop, take time out to look around and think more about why I'm taking photos, rather than just clicking away. Sure I'm getting some lovely incredibly sharp images and using the f/ stops to give me the DOF that I prefer, but that's where my creativity stops and that's it, it's just the excitement of having a brilliant camera, 100 to 500, 24 to 105 f/4 and the 100 f/28 macro lens that gives me that buzz,. But those blurs that you're getting and capturing wildlife in their natural inhabitant is soooooo lovely to see and it's crazy that I've not been doing the same up until now! Paul, thank you so much for breaking the some what boring cycle that I keep repeating until now, you've just made my approach so much more exciting... thank you millions

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

Thanks so much for this. Yes, photography should be about experimenting. It's surprising how it can change your outlook sometimes. Even if you don't think something will work - still give it a go!

[@ceesnabuursfauna2115]

Nice video. I often use wireless release, so I do not have to touch the shutter button. I position the lens and directly hit the button on the remote control, using the E shutter.

[@SIMpleSIM6]

Great video Paul, you’ve definitely inspired me to give it a try.

[@MorganGreenWildlifePhoto]

Great pics

[@Bird_in_camera]

Hi Paul, been to that hide, what a great set up, very comfortable. I too am of the opinion now that rain should not stop you getting out there. One question, where di you get that little 3 legged tripod from, looks ideal for that kind of situation.

[@benwestney6329]

Hi it’s a Docz monopod foot. It’s a great hide been a few times

[@gerardoelizondo6845]

Master !!!, Nice Video.

[@j.kimmer1509]

Nice...very nice

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

Thank you very much.

[@Suprastar87]

Amazing video, please can you link the tripod and gimbal. Thank you

[@davidrodwell6509]

Paul, a great video and is very helpful to me, I have one question. You discussed stability when taking the shot, and you seem to always use the shutter button. Why do you not use a remote for this type of work, so then you touch nothing on your setup?

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

Good question. Yes, I was actually thinking that. I think it can sometimes come down to how you are focusing, but for sure using a remote would be preferable when getting down to lower shutter speeds. Another option is to use a beanbag because you can get amazing stability - I've actually managed sharp bird images (completely static) at 1/15 with this method.

[@LMLewis]

I've photographed in the rain (from a vehicle) and got a few interesting shots but, without a fast lens, the lower light levels offset any benefits in quality.

[@41stclair]

do you find yourself getting more keeper shots now that you use the r6 then the 1dx !!??

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

Yes, generally speaking. Particularly action

[@colintraveller]

Your basically in yer Garden Hut as you haven't said otherwise that you're at a known RSPB location .

[@Jackaldridge2011]

Shooting in the rain???? You're setting inside a building for goodness sakes!!! Most of us don't have that luxury....

[@blisteringbooks2428]

I like the way the treats are behind the perch so it isn't obvious it is a baited setting. I have some wonderful shots of robins in the snow from the car. Only sitting on the wing mirror in front of the 100-400 does make focussing difficult. I may even put the video clip up onto KZbin.

[@paulbaldwin2290]

Great blog Paul as usual great photos to ! Been taking photos and videos of female black bird feeding her young today! Keep up great work 👏👏

[@MrDunk66]

Hi Paul, what is the tripod below the gimbal - thanks 😀

[@steveparent8788]

Interesting video Paul. I wonder why you care so much about ISO. I use the R5 and I never care about ISO. R5 and R6 handle noise so well.

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

It's always subjective. I don't like to do much image reduction etc. so for me I know when it's too high, but bottom line is I will push the ISO if I have to

[@nigelbramley4188]

Heartily concur with wet weather photography. It's a shame people stick to fine days. It's not for everyone I know, but the rewards are worth it. Great vlog again Paul, top drawer stuff.

[@Black73Cat]

Nice video. I'm really enjoying your channel, Paul. I've been a photographer all of my life and also a birder... But never really wanted to bring the two together. Recently got the urge to do that so have got myself a 200-600 and starting to learn a whole new genre of photography. Your vids are helping a lot. Thank you! Graeme

[@cjoe6908]

Good video. I am thinking of getting an L lens for shooting in the rainy days. This clip show how much fun it is. Thanks

[@marktaylor9579]

I agree Paul. The first time I shot the starlings on my fence at a low shutter speed in a downpour I was hooked! Incidentally what is the make/model of the mini tripod that you put your gimbal head on please?

[@Amazingpictures128]

How long do you already have this bird feeder? There are coming so cool kinds😅 On my bird feeder, which I have since the end of july of this year, are coming blue tit, great tit, magpie, robin, squirrel, jay, rat, carrion crow, dunnock, chaffinch, marten, ring-necked parakeet.

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

Lovely. This is a friend's hide. There are regular birds here all year

[@Amazingpictures128]

@@PaulMiguelPhotography That‘s cool!

[@MrTmiket0007]

Thanks so much for sharing another wonderful video like always 🐦👌👍

[@SkylarkFields]

Well, seeing as we get so much rain I shall definitely be taking your tips and giving them a try! I love behavioural shots and action shots and I am trying to do more of those, but also one shot I would like to get is a hare or a rabbit shaking its paws in the rain!

[@kevins8575]

Great images! I also like to shoot birds in the rain but don't like to be in the rain myself.

[@ianpawson1356]

I cancelled my plans for yesterday due to far too much rain, will try this coming weekend as its showing showers again.

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

Showers and sun can be great Ian.