What PROS Don't Tell You About WILDLIFE Photography!!!

[@Itsmargarine]

Making sure I had all my lenses. my stool, my lunch, my drink, all my batteries, tripod etc., driving 50 miles before dawn, finding the site, and starting to get set up in perfect early light, .... and then realising I'd left the camera body on my desk at home as I did a last minute clean of it!

[@Duade]

Oh David, that is tough, you are not the first to list this fail so it happens often. I hope it was a nice sunrise to watch. Cheers, Duade

[@fly-pedro]

Here is a tip from a pilot: use checklists.

[@stevensanmarco9815]

I have done this.

[@terrydanks]

Was photographing ospreys behind a large shopping centre with an 800mm f/5.6 Nikkor on a Gitzo 410 with a Wimberley gimbal mount. Dismounted the lens and carried it to my vehicle . . . and drove home. Not until the next morning did I miss the Gitzo and Wimberley, about $1000 worth of gear. Drove back, about 30 miles. Tripod and gimbal were still out in the field where I'd left them.

[@Duade]

Oh Terry what a great story, I can only imagine how you felt waiting to get back and then the relief when you say it. I left my very expensive binoculars at the beach, went back and someone else now has them :-( Cheers, Duade

[@JeffreyHauser]

Left a Canon 70-200mm f2.8 lens outside at a high school sporting event. Got home & realized what I had done. Drove 70 miles back to high school at night. Athletic field gate entrance was locked up. Scaled the fence & took a flashlight with me to search for my lens. It was still there, where I had left it. Slipped & fell off a rock walk after retrieving my lens & injured myself. The lens remained intact & was not damaged. My body was sore & bruised for a couple of weeks afterwards.

[@TonyBrunt]

This is such a reassuring video! Here's one of my many fails. I was half way up a mountain, when I went to take a photo and realised that whilst I have the lenses, I've left my camera on the roof of my car, some hours back down the trail!

[@Duade]

Oh Tony, I hope the camera was still there when you got back, very annoying for sure. Cheers, Duade

[@alansach8437]

I love it Tony!!! I did the exact same thing!!!!

[@xbergerin]

Oh no.. this so could happen to me, too!

[@jeremylutersz3374]

Was it still there when you got back.

[@DeonvanRooyen-s5g]

I have left my SD cards in my laptop after travelling a distance to go shooting images....having to transfer mini sd card from my gopro then not having a SD card adaptor!

[@real1997]

Honesty from a KZbin photographer? Amazing. Great video mate. As they say, all is not what it seems when it comes to most photography. Your honesty and Aussie humility is refreshing. 👍

[@Duade]

Thanks for taking the time to comment, I appreciate it, Cheers, Duade

[@gabiold]

“We should be comparing ourselves to previous versions of ourselves…” - that’s some serious charismatic mindset which many peoole should learn!

[@a.riswick7693]

In one thing you surely didn't fail. You're really a nice person thinking of your wife and relatives in the first place. It's true that some of the best shots are never made. They are seen but never token. Only in your mind. That makes your mind the best memorycard of pictures you never share. Doesn't mean it doesn't colour your lives. Go on being a nice and lovely person. We are human and it is the good part of humanity that gives you the likes. I love your humble relativation. It makes your heart boom boom drum in a nicer way.

[@Duade]

Thank you so much for your lovely comment, I really appreciate it. I saw way too much suffering and hate in my career as a Police Officer and it doesn't help anyone. Love, kindness and genuine friendship is what makes the world a better place. Take care, Duade

[@KO4L4.]

I'm not even a wildlife photographer but still enjoy watching your videos since hearing you talk and seeing your beautiful pics is just so relaxing. Also sometimes I pick up some tips for photography in general. Keep up the good work!

[@Duade]

That is great to hear, I am glad you enjoy the videos, Cheers, Duade

[@rolffreiberger7314]

NEVER EVER someone spoke (photowise) so directly from my (50 year long photograpying) heart!!! Thanks Duade.

[@Duade]

Thanks Rolf, great to hear you enjoyed the video and congrats on your long career. Cheers, Duade

[@XoXo475]

Great video 😀 I once went out to my local river , took some very nice photos , and was super happy with them on the viewfinder , only to find when I got home , there was no effin CARD in the camera!! Always make sure your cameras shutter is disabled if there’s no card present! 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@Duade]

Thanks, great tip and yes I have that feature enabled. Cheers, Duade

[@johnchapin7707]

“…a community of people…” taking photos and enjoying it. Great! Many thanks for the simple reminder.

[@DayDreamzUnlimited]

Hey Duade, I simply love your presentation. Your simplicity and the honesty is amazing. Well here's one of my favourite fails. I got ready a night before, 1. Camera batteries charged 2. Lenses cleaned and packed 3. Tripod ready and packed 4. All packed neatly in the camera bag Reached the location with my friend. Opened the bag and realized that the camera was still at home merrily getting charged! 😂 Ended up gladly being the spotter and guide to my friend.

[@Duade]

Oh no, don't you hate that, glad you still got to enjoy the outing, Cheers, Duade

[@DarkGiratina96]

I think that my most common fail is forgetting to turn on my DSLR. I feel so stupid looking through the viewfinder and pressing the shutter, wondering why nothing is happening 🤣 I really like your honesty with your failures. As a total beginner it's really good to know that even really skilled people get it wrong from time to time!

[@Duade]

Thanks, I have done that a few times, Cheers, Duade

[@elgrandefleau7359]

As a photographer of three years it never happened to me as I am constantly checking on my stuff to see if everything’s operational but I totally see how it could happen and how you would feel 😂

[@toddweiler227]

I can’t believe I stumbled upon this video at this point of my photography career. I am only two weeks into to owning my R5 and felt intimidated by the 934 page manual, the myriad of settings and of course the burning fever to run with the big dogs before I can walk. This video buttressed up my mental health that I am making progress through my failures and the premium photos I’m seeing everyone post are simply others that have suffered the same learning curve mistakes you so eloquently laid out. I don’t feel alone anymore in my frustration. I’m a former TV photographer, an amateur astronomer and a guitar player. This wonderful video applies to ALL my hobbies. You are spot on about how being in the right place at the right time out pays out better than the top of the line gear. My iPhone has caught more cool stuff than missed shots reaching for my R5 out of the bag. I could wax on for hours how much this video helped me see the pulling the “veil” away of what really happens to get those primo shots. Thanks! Now my fail story. As a TV reporter I was almost mauled by a black bear in Wausau, WI. A black bear wandered into a suburb and was spotted on my block at night. I ran down to the TV station not far away and grabbed the ENG 3/4” U-matic tape gear. I returned to find the police had cornered the bear in an industrial park. I followed walking from the other side with a 25 lb. recorder tethered to a 20 lb. camera and a 15 lb. light belt. Just as the police approached the bear it bolted away long a high barbed wire fence...straight at me as I was video taping 50 yards away. I couldn’t run with all the heavy gear on. I saw my life rewind in a flash realizing I’m dead. Then some how I instinctively turned on the powerful light on top of the camera. The bear was startled and turned away to run into a woods with tall trees. Finally is was darted and safely relocated. I grew a few gray hairs that night and felt it was time to change my shorts. Saved by the light! That rewind thing is real. Haven’t had that happen since. Always have an exit path when shooting dangerous animals would be my advice!!! Safe shooting! Subbed to your channel! Nice work!

[@Duade]

Thanks for sharing your comment Todd I really appreciate it, I am glad to hear the message of the video got through about learning and taking out time. I still fail on a daily basis and is just part of being human. Enjoying the learning process is key and just having a good time, you will soon become miserable if all you are chasing are perfect shots. What a scary story re the bear, life sure is a rollercoaster at times. Cheers, Duade

[@brightideasphotography]

I've done most of the things you mentioned as failures. Another way to "stuff things up" is to forget that you have certain features enabled on your camera for a previous shot and then have forgotten to turn off. This is particularly true of exposure compensation or bracketing. Before a day's shooting, it's always good to make sure you have your "standard" wildlife settings as you leave the car. What a bummer it is to shoot a whole morning's images at +2 EV unintentionally! This is significantly less problematic with mirrorless, but with DSLR, it has left me crying in my beer at least a couple of times. Great video, Duade. I always enjoy your informal, down to earth approach and spontaneous style.

[@Duade]

Thanks, yes, I have done that, mine is shooting on a timer and then wondering why the camera wont take photos only to hear it go off 10 seconds later lol. Cheers, Duade

[@brightideasphotography]

@@Duade lol. I've done that too.

[@jackcoughlin9785]

Been there, done that.

[@johnlocke7097]

The best way I can answer your question is to say. Been there done that. How you are around the 40,000 subs is a crime, you should be way higher, you do one of the best videos on KZbin. Thank you.

[@Duade]

Thanks John, you are too kind, Bird Photography is a very small niche :-) Cheers, Duade

[@geronimo6787]

Your honest and authentic attitude is so sympathic and keeps me comic back to view your clips! Thanks so much - that is so motivating to keep improving myself !

[@guyjackson4143]

My biggest failure goes all the way back to when I used film cameras. My daughter was getting an award for school and it was a very special occasion for her and she wanted me to get photos of everything during the ceremony. I loaded a fresh roll of film and started taking photos. I only had 24 exposurer rolls of film and when I check my counter it was in the low 30s. I realized the film had not been advancing due to me not wrapping it around the take up spool. At the time my daughter was 9 years old. She turned 45 this year and still occasionally reminds me of that day. Shes just teasing these days but when it happened I don't know who had the worst case of heartbreak, me or her.

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

Oh, this memory opens a scar! I had a similar experience while shooting a wedding as a side gig in the '90s. I shot seven rolls of 36-exposure film, which was a lot in those days. Unfortunately, for one of those rolls I apparently didn't firmly attach the film tab into the spool. I ended up missing the cake cutting. I had to give the couple a deep discount on the package to avoid getting sued. Frankly, the groom was a pain to deal with anyway. He was trying to renegotiate the contract before the event even happened, and as a newbie I was already pretty cheap. He ended up just buying the negatives because he didn't want to pay for a personally-assembled print album. Normally I wouldn't have sold them, but I did this time just to be rid of him. After that I quit doing weddings.

[@Duade]

Thanks for sharing your experience Guy, that must have been tough and I have a lot of respect for you back in the film days. Cheers, Duade

[@Duade]

That sounds rough John, it must have been tough, yep, I helped with a wedding and realised it wasn't for me. Cheers, Duade

[@MCYCCFL]

I’d did that more times than I care to admit. Thank god for digital.

[@joostc4750]

Shooting weddings and performances and news events and such, I get an anxiety attack if I think about it too long 😂

[@LindaSmitWildlifeImpressions]

One of my fails...not looking at the ground while walking around with the camera. Didn't see the rock...I fell, but wanted to protect my gear and kept my arms in the air, so I didn't land very softly as I couldn't use my arms to break the fall...got quite severe shoulder problems after that (I'm fine now) but the gear was ok 🤣

[@Duade]

As long as the gear was ok that is the main thing lol ;-) In all seriousness sorry you experienced that and I can relate to shoulder problems, it is never pleasant. Thanks for sharing, Cheers, Duade

[@esphilee]

I had the same experience in my trip in Xin Jiang, it was my first L-lens back then. The fall was painful. These days, as I become older, I understand Cameras and Lens are built stronger than my shoulder, and much cheaper to fix if broken. 😉

[@LindaSmitWildlifeImpressions]

@@Duade It is funny how we so desperately want to protect our gear 🤣🤣

[@nathanielpedigo5689]

I fell off of a wall bordering a set of centuries old stairs and cradled my gear until I came to a stop at a turn in the stairs.

[@bluejays5660]

I thought I was the only one who did this! You’d think you were carrying an infant!

[@vimalneha]

Duade is the best human being out here. If i am stressed out, need photography or some learning, i see his videos.

[@tomhendron2357]

Forth rightness and honesty overwhelms me... You put this remarkable hobby into perspective and completely brings things into focus. I think I will enjoy my time behind the camera and out into the field just that much more. Thank you, Duane, keep up the wonderful work and telling it like it is. A fan for all time here!

[@Duade]

Thanks Tom, you are too kind, I am happy to hear you are enjoying your photography. Cheers, DUade

[@YunggTung]

Thankyou Duade. I've been binging your videos for a few days now. You're like the Bob Ross of Wildlife photography. Appreciate the time and effort you put in all of your videos!

[@Duade]

Glad you like them!

[@Giles29]

Best fail I remember, I was trying to photograph a Folwer's Toad. I sneaked up carefully into focal range, made sure the light was right, ISO and shutter speed good, focused as carefully as I could, and got a perfect photo... of a bump on a log, literally. I totally understand about your wife not wanting to look at the photos you took when she didn't know where you were. Mine is the same. Had plenty of "Cropping too much" too

[@Duade]

Thanks David, that is a funny story, yes, I think we can all relate to the fails, Cheers, DUade

[@quincylea]

Bedankt

[@Duade]

Thanks Jetze, I appreciate the support, Cheers, Duade

[@rsfox79]

Fantastic, love the simplicity and honesty of explaining the process

[@Duade]

Thanks Romel, I am glad you enjoyed it, Cheers, Duade

[@patricksmith2553]

Professional means someone once paid me/us lol, I love that quote as it is funny but so true for so many, especially with "wildlife" photography! I've only met a couple of real professional wildlife/bird photographer's and even they mostly made money from tours, workshops, lecture's and very little from actual prints or publications or clients so to speak. I've met personally or have attended workshops with both Art Morris and B. Moose Peterson and both were so kind and taught me so much when I was just a kid, coming up and trying to learn. I was and still am fortunate to have the best and most supportive parents' ever, so I have to thank them most, but I love the videos Duade and I can relate to you and your story/life in that I too had a heart-attack/failure and I shared some of that story recently on your video on the subject. Thanks for the awesome stories and videos, I wish I knew how to edit video, I would have started a KZbin show or Channel years ago if I could've or would've learned...now I'm too old to learn all of that lol. I know, I know never old to learn, just don't have the patience with video and all of those frames...haha!

[@Duade]

@@patricksmith2553 Thanks Patrick, I appreciate the comment, great to hear you have learnt off those wonderful photographers. Sorry to hear about the health issues but glad you are still with us and enjoying your photography. Cheers, Duade

[@WesMedlin]

One you forgot: picking up a camera you haven't used in a while, and thinking it's broken because it won't focus. Then remembering you've set it to back button focus. I've done this twice, with the same camera. Love the channel.

[@Duade]

Thanks Wes, yes, that can be confusing for sure, thanks for sharing, Cheers, Duade

[@msyuan1124]

My favorite of your videos, to date. If we pay attention, failure is how we learn. I’ve made most of the mistakes you highlighted. One of the reasons why I like your videos so much is you often show the raw image and the processed image, so we can see what branches were removed, what colors were enhanced, etc. Two additional “failures”, courtesy of Stefano Ianiro “What’s Ruining Your Bird Photography”: 1) Taking the same shot over and over. I don’t know how many times I’ll find this great bird, good background, etc, then take 100 shots of the bird in that pose, with the same background. I need to get up, move around, be more aware of how the shot could be even better. I think I’ve missed many opportunities for great shots because of the excitement of getting a good shot. 2) In a similar vein, I will see a bird, perhaps close by with a good background, and become fixated with that bird. I don’t look around. Sometimes, to the side or even behind me, there’s an even better opportunity with another bird - or at least an equally good shot. Many thanks for this great video.

[@Duade]

Thanks Mark, some great advice there and I totally agree, I have been trying to force myself to look around for compositions I would normally overlook. It is tough as I get tunnel vision like you mention. I will try to implement your suggestions in the future. Cheers, Duade

[@buggersofoz]

Haha #2 is a classic with whale watchers. A few weeks ago I was standing on a cliff, popular vantage point and watched all other watchers fixated on a pod far, far away, looking through their binoculars. Only when I told them, they noticed a big whale closer than 100m to the shore! But then I made a similar mistake that I make with really big birds, like cockatoos. I zoomed in too much and couldn't pan fast enough to photograph the whale breaching when it was at its closest!

[@BarbaraGunner]

I've been one of those who beat myself up for not getting something as 'good as the professionals' can get. Hearing that others make mistakes is very helpful. I was sure I was the only one. Thank you.

[@HeathFoley]

Thank you for this awesome and honest video Duade. Here's one fail I'd add to the list. Make sure to zero your camera after you are done shooting for the day. Zeroing the camera is setting things like exposure compensation back to defaults so you don't go shooting the next day and blow all your highlights. It's also advisable to reset your autofocus and drive modes if you have made changes from your usual setting you use for the respective subject being photographed.

[@cathco9]

Great advice Heath. I sometimes forget to do this. It has cost me.

[@Duade]

Thanks Heath, yes, I have often switched from humans to animals or had the settings slightly wrong. Good advice. Cheers, Duade

[@hubbs478]

Thanks!

[@Duade]

Thanks Larry, I appreciate the support, Cheers, Duade

[@rickygoodyear8836]

Another brilliant episode, Duade! One of my more recent fails was drowning two batteries from my R5. The first was understandable as I’d left it in my pants pocket and didn’t notice until hanging out the washing, I’m now better at checking my pockets! The second, was wearing a bum bag while shooting video of barking owls in the pouring rain. Forgot to zip up the front pocket which got about an inch of water in it and killed my spare battery. Now have a battery grip and treat my spare batteries like they’re made of gold!

[@Duade]

Ricky, how annoying, yep the old washing machine has ruined a few of my things also, a memory card being the most recent. Great to hear the battery grip is working well. Cheers, Duade

[@brendanhayes5565]

Thanks

[@Duade]

Thanks Brendan, I appreciate the support, Cheers, Duade

[@ramv185]

You just amaze me with your absolute honesty and humility every single time!!! I have 100s of bird pictures with a branch and or twigs in front of the birds or running along its body and I have always questioned myself whether it's ethical to remove it using a photo editing software. I think it's okay to do a little bit of editing like you mentioned. Also I agree to the point that more we go out and try more are the chances we get to take a good picture and now and then a bird would come and sit very close like its a reward from mother nature for our effort and love for her!!! Thank you for this wonderful video!!!

[@Duade]

Thanks Ram, I appreciate the feedback, have fun editing those shots, Cheers, Duade

[@seamydobbsno1]

Gotta say, that was an unexpectedly refreshingly honest video. We hear it time and time again, and it applies to everything, but time invested is going to harvest improvement.

[@Duade]

Thanks Seamus, yes, every pursuit in life needs practice and time to master it, photography is no different. Cheers, Duade

[@samtaylor4592]

Love the honest, down to earth approach, keep it coming Duade! So important not to get downbeat when you see amazing images online. Frequently struggled to use manual focus for astro at night, then realised after about 30 seconds that I've not even taken the lens cap off .....

[@Duade]

Thanks Sam, sounds like a few people have done the same thing, Cheers, Duade

[@WeizenGourmet]

Thank you for sharing failures. This way we can learn from yours before doing our own. If you ever format your card on accident: don't shoot on it you can recover the images later with open source software like PhotoRec.

[@Duade]

Thanks, yes, I have managed to recover a few but that occasion it was some time later I realised. Cheers, Duade

[@HughPoland]

Duade, THIS is why we follow you--you ARE an expert, but you show us your humanity, which endears you to us all. I think this is what makes a great teacher--not someone who looks down on their students and wonders why they can't get it right, but someone who just takes us along on their own journey and helps us learn along the way. (Sad thing is, some of your "failed" shots would be great keepers in my portfolio!). My fails--can't count how many times I get out to the field only to realize I haven't put the memory card back in. Seems I leave it in the computer from the previous night's editing . . . then there's the times when I've thought "Why can't my lens focus? What is that dark blur I keep seeing?" only to realize my camera strap had been blown by the wind over the front of the lens. Or the times when I would see the image from the view screen disappear, and I thought my camera was broken--only to realize after it happening so many times that my finger was coming close to the viewfinder and in effect, shutting the view screen off and switching the image to the tiny viewfinder. Sheesh . . .

[@Duade]

Thanks for the lovely comment Hugh, I appreciate it. Better to be honest and open about my journey as I hope it encourages others. Thanks for sharing your fails, a few good ones there lol. The strap must have been confusing lol. Cheers, Duade 👍

[@umajps]

Very well said Mr. Poland.

[@NYorkieMom]

You're awesome! Thanks for being so real :) On my first day out with my Sony A1 & 100-400, I was so entranced photographing this itty bitty crab that I slipped on the mud at the river bank and went sliding in knee deep whilst raising gear above my head with both arms stretched skyward as I didn't know how deep I'd be going! 🤣

[@Duade]

Good to hear you saved the gear but I hope you were ok, it can be dangerous getting stuck in the mud. Cheers, Duade

[@mayhamilton6652]

Really loved this video Duade. It was such an encouraging one that shows the reality of photography. My epic fail was discovering a stunning beach and taking a ton of photos of my son and the seabirds in bright sunshine. I couldn't see the playback screen but was happily snapping away. Got home and every image was blurry. I'd knocked the AF button onto MF. Absolutely gutted since I can't access that beach now following my accident.

[@Duade]

May, thanks for the support, I think many of us have got into manual by accident and become very confused. Sorry to hear you are unable to access the beach anymore. Cheers, Duade

[@lee-annecarpenter6844]

Thanks Duade, another entertaining and informative video. Two epic fails for me, 1. Got permission to photograph a squash match ( using the window in the tin at the front wall). Took notice of all the instructions ie, wear dark clothing, limit movement etc. Moment of truth when I opened the camera bag only to find it empty. The camera was still at home sitting on the tripod. 2. Tried some abstract photography using milk, oil and paint. Knocked one of the lights into the liquid. It smashed and lay there still alive in the liquid. Obviously liquid and electricity don’t mix. It shorted out the house with a loud bang!

[@Duade]

Oh Lee-Anne those are some epic fails, thanks for sharing, Cheers, Duade

[@DominikMarczuk]

My fail is from 2010; I was a complete newbie to photography (I still feel like one, to be honest). I was shooting a portrait outside, with an off camera flash + umbrella. The wind dragged the umbrella and knocked the tripod down, the speedlight ended up hitting the pavement pretty hard. Surprisingly, apart from a few scuffs and a partially dead display, it never stopped working. It's been 12 years since that accident and I'm still using the very same speedlight.

[@Duade]

Thanks for sharing Dominik, that is great, I have had a couple of weird things like that also. Cheers, Duade

[@stadtchronistjennersdorf6351]

Applause for the honesty. I often suspect wildlife photographers "cheating" on their images - like killing the butterfly to get the shot and others like that but not mentioning that the insects shown in the image have already been dead...

[@Duade]

Thanks, yes it is difficult at times to know exactly how shots were taken. Cheers, Duade

[@bayourunner2]

Duade, I just found your channel. As a long time nature photographer, I love your work and also the way you deliver the information. It's so true we always show are greatest work but never the failures. You so right. Looking forward to seeing more of your post. Cheers.

[@Duade]

Thanks, yes, our failures are what allow us to learn and grow. I just wish I could stop learning now lol :-) Cheers, Duade

[@rogergroover4971]

Your honesty is so refreshing so that the rest of us understand that there are dozens of ways to “pose” a pic from the beginning all the way through the edit. And we all mess up! Thanks everyone for your funny replies that we can all relate to.

[@hardwaterhacker]

I can definitely relate to some of these, Duade! I remember the first time I went out to do astrophotography. I got some nice macro shots in the evening, and once it was dark I started trying to shoot the Milky Way. It took me quite a while to get the settings dialed in and I knew my battery was getting very low. I finally figured out the settings I needed and the battery died. No worries, I thought, I've got a spare battery. The spare was completely dead. Since I was on a back country camping trip, I was done for the rest of the trip and missed some great opportunities that night and the following morning.

[@Duade]

Thanks for sharing Mike, I can relate to your story and I am sure many others can also. Cheers, Duade

[@jackstutts6439]

Your right about not comparing one's self to other photographers. At the end of the day if I've had fun and got a few frames I am happy with, I'm satisfied. Sure I follow some bird photographers on You Tube and I've picked up a lot of tips on techniques that have made my ability to capture satisfying images more likely. So thank you for being so open about your experiences. As for fails I've done quite a few that you mentioned. Mostly related to not changing settings or not formatting my memory card. One fail I had a couple of months ago was leaving for shoot and forgetting my monopod. I did bring it out to the car as I was loading up but sat it down while opening the door and putting the camera in. I got in the car and drove off without the monopod. I was very annoyed when I got to my destination and realized I had left it on the driveway. Cheers Duade.

[@Duade]

Thanks Jack, yes, our own enjoyment should be our main priority, Cheers, Duade

[@ramcherala]

Great video and love your honesty. My fail on a recent birding trip was not realizing that I had changed the focus limiter switch setting on my Sigma 150-600 to 2.8-10m by mistake instead of the default setting of Full. Through out the 4 day trip I couldn’t figure out why my auto focus was not working on distant birds but only worked on close up birds. Major fail and disappointment as I missed so many good bird photos. Thankfully realized it later before I sent the lens for repair!!

[@Duade]

Thanks Ram, looks like many of us have done that fail, it is so frustrating at the time, I'm glad you sorted it out. Cheers, Duade

[@sanybalkanaciairsoft3253]

Same thing happend to me too, like 100 shot out of focus, a few in half focus. Removed the Lens put it back still the same problem, then i saw i somehow hit the limiter while wearing the lens around me.

[@WCIN]

One of your most funniest videos you have released to date… Because I can relate to ALL of your epic fails plus additional issues do to Arctic conditions where I live/work in the State of Alaska… Try setting up in near Blizzard condition for the special shot, this time was Bison, and the blowing snow effect… Walked back to backpack to pick up dropped glove only to turn around and NOT see camera/tripod with winter Camo for several minutes! Oh.. and Bison turned his back to me before I could get the shot!

[@Duade]

Oh that would be tough and not something I am likely to encounter down here. Cheers, Duade

[@cfsrueda9349]

Yes we all have had failures, here I share my most recent one! I’ve been getting more into macro, so I need to go into bushes (not that different from wildlife) and one day I forgot to dress properly, I live in Shanghai and here is incredible humid. So mosquitoes are everywhere, anyways, took my camera flash diffuser and made the mistake of getting into hundreds of mosquitos haha it was so annoying couldn’t focus they were everywhere! Cheers Duade!

[@Duade]

Oh, that does not sound pleasant, midges, mozzies and flies can make it very unpleasant, Cheers, Duade

[@frederickmcdonald6636]

they say that the worst mistakes ended up being our best teachers, but you have to recognize that when it happens. thank you for being honest with us I certainly appreciate it because as a novice hobbiest I am happiest when I am out and about with my camera and I make many errors but because of you and a few others I am learning from the mistakes. take care and be safe out there....

[@Duade]

Thanks Frederick, I think I have an issue learning as I am still failing :-) But yes, it is all part of the fun, Cheers, Duade

[@KelpiesRock]

Thanks mate,great video.Getting more photographers interested in bird photography is what it’s all about.Take whatever gear you have and get into nature.😃

[@Duade]

Thanks Sharon, great advice, Cheers, Duade

[@tranquilitybasehere]

Just beginning, and you have had me laughing, crying, and empathizing as I too have enjoyed some of these fails! Thanks!!!

[@georgebowden6748]

Hi Duade, compared to what you've achieved I'm just a "Happy Snapper" but I really enjoy taking pictures of my grandkids playing sport. I really like your comments regarding "professional photographers" & as you say it's about enjoying the experience & learning. Thanks for sharing your knowledge & the videos.

[@Duade]

Thanks George, great to hear you enjoy photographing the grandkids, they will cherish those shots I am sure. Cheers, Duade

[@RogerJones-mountfield]

I formatted a CF card with GHFF flying from the Botanic Gardens in Sydney because computer said it was empty, one and only Aus trip from UK, // I always have a spare battery in a small pouch on my camera strap // Got lost in the desert in Texas at night when on a bat research trip, noted the warning signs about bears! So pleased modern cameras have two SD card slots. Thanks another great video Duade.

[@Duade]

Thanks Roger, yes have dual slots is a life saver at times, good idea having the spare battery. Cheers, Duade

[@TheodoreSchnell]

Thanks, Duade, for your transparency. I think we've all had moments like the ones you shared. My funniest one, which could have been quite tragic, was back in the film days, and I had just received my first professional-grade camera -- a used Canon F-1 -- as a high school graduation gift from my parents. A couple of months later, I took my camera on a canoe trip, which included several stretches of light rapids, and one where we dropped about 8 feet over a 50 or 75 foot stretch of river. I was in the front of my canoe and as we began the descent, we submerged like a submarine very, very swiftly. I had the presence of mind to immediately realize what was happening, grabbed my camera bag with one hand and holding onto my paddle with the other. As we sank, I held my gear above my head until we managed to get the canoe to the shore. I was lucky. But I've not taken by camera gear on a boat ever since.

[@Duade]

Thanks for sharing Ted, happy you had a good outcome, it could have been a lot worse, I am sure the water has killed many a camera over the years. Cheers, Duade

[@kurtschwab8520]

3

[@peepingtube7]

0:45 I took similar shot of Red Vented-Bulbul with Nikon 70-300 kits lens, that bird gave me enough time to take photo.

[@Duade]

Fantastic, what a great opportunity, Cheers, Duade

[@janepalmer1372]

I so enjoy all your videos, thanks for taking us into the field with you. I've had plenty of epic fails myself! One thing that has helped me tremendously is my experience as an underwater photographer. You can't fix a problem when you are at 60 feet and your dream shot happens but your battery is dead-UGH---you have to be ready! So there is a thing called "jump settings" which simply means that you have checked everything and done a test shot and set up what you think you need BEFORE you jump in! This became such a habit that I now do it every time I grab my camera. Battery full, memory card formatted, lens cap off, basic settings dialed in--all check! This really comes in handy now that I'm not a youngster!!! Thanks for all you do to inspire us to get out there!

[@Duade]

Jane, thanks for sharing your experience and makes so much sense, I really do need a checklist before I leave the house or the car. Cheers, Duade

[@caseylabelle1128]

Clear, consistent, concise, honest…new subscriber.

[@Duade]

Thanks Casey, welcome to the channel, Cheers, Duade

[@cgd1125]

I really appreciate your honesty. I’m new at wildlife photography and get so down when pictures look soft. You give me hope that I’ll improve more. I enjoy your channel.

[@Duade]

Good luck improving, we all take soft shots, Cheers, Duade

[@brownie3609]

Mine is kicking my set up when its on the bench in a wooden hide/blind. I always use a tripod except on the odd occasion I am in a hide. I always put my full set up, at some point next to me on the bench, go to stand up, catch it with my foot and then scrabble extraordinarily quickly to grab it before it lands on the floor!

[@Duade]

Thanks for sharing, that could have ended badly, Cheers, Duade

[@wildlife-shorts]

Hi, Duade! Recently I was trying to do some panning shots with jaguars when the light was low and forgot to change my settings after I finished. On the next day, a beautiful whistling heron was flying towards me and I lost what would be my best shot of this species. I would also want to thank you for your videos. I set up a bird bath with your instructions and now that the birds on my garden are used to it, I could take a head shot with a beautiful background of a Plush crested jay, a difficult bird to photograph in the wild. Thank you so much!

[@Duade]

Fábio, yes I have done that also, great to hear about the bird bath. Feel free to send the head shot to [e-mail], I would love to see it. Cheers, Duade

[@pseudophotog]

Appreciate the humility and honesty Duade. Top fails include: falling in a fishpond and killing my camera (silver lining - I was able to get the replacement I'd wanted for years!), pulling a strap under the leg of my tripod and killing a year-old scope at the end of a brilliant digi-scoping session; missing out on documenting two first records for HK by a) not having a camera at all, and b) a week later, not knowing how to use it the new camera when the second bird appeared for the briefest moment. Separately I'm a big believer that photos that are obtained by changing a bird's behaviour are not the same as those that do not. A few years ago Hong Kong Bird Watching Society created a logo for people to watermark shots of terns for which they did not step onto the breeding islet (commercial tours were bringing general visitors to the island and disturbing the birds). This was intended as a conservation education tool, but I also think about using watermarks for shots that are: "not baited" or "no playback" as both of these practices are regularly abused in HK. Cheers Mike

[@Duade]

Thanks for sharing Mike, good idea re the logo, sorry to hear about your gear fails. Cheers, Duade

[@Guoenyi]

Great content Duade. I don’t shoot birds often but then one comes close I could get some good ones with a short telephoto. Absolutely agree on more expensive gears providing more opportunities to get the money shot. Pros find them worthwhile as a productivity boost, therefore income. Hobbyists should just enjoy the camera they can afford and shoot more. I think pro has some credibility to it as it implies the person’s photography was good enough for some to pay to use (on an often basis). They most likely produce more incredible shots than hobbyists. Most likely is the key.

[@Duade]

Thanks Guoenyi, some great words there re enjoying the camera you have. Yes, in theory pros will spend more time in the field with better gear which often leads to nice shots. But as you say not being a pro does not stop you getting amazing shots. Cheers, Duade

[@carlthomson4910]

Yes, formatting the card without downloading the files!! Once went out in Mexico my only time photographing the beautiful Heermans gull. Got some really nice shots, but unfortunately lost them all by mistake 😣 Thanks for your honesty and great video!

[@Duade]

Thanks for sharing Carl, sorry to hear you lost the shots, it is a hard lesson to learn, Cheers, Duade

[@Secoutal]

I really appreciate the honesty in this video, and I totally agree with the end sequence, it should be about bettering yourself not a competition. Easily earned a subscription from me. I think the most common fail for me is not testing light / settings when taking my camera for a walk. There have been some great shots that I missed because they were blown out or underexposed from previous shoot.

[@Duade]

Thanks A, yes I agree, I try to take a photo before the photo to make sure everything is right. Cheers, Duade

[@joanneabramson2645]

I have certain habits that I use every time. After I download my photos I replace the card in the camera and format it. I always carry a second battery on my camera strap which has a place for an extra battery and extra card. Epic failures, most common are having the wrong exposure compensation for the situation on my DSLR (one reason I am looking forward to getting a mirrorless camera is for the WYSIWYG, to remind me to change the exposure compensation). The second is running out of battery during a critical photo burst. Even with a second battery available, the shots are missed. Thanks for doing this video. It makes us all aware that we have shared human faults.

[@HollisRules]

Hi Duade, my worst ‘fail’ was in Africa. I was in Tanzania and after a few hours wait on a morning drive we caught a migration river crossing by hundreds of wildebeests. There were two ABSOLUTELY GREAT crocodile vs wildebeest incidents within my lens range and one I missed because I was reviewing shots on my LCD screen and on the other I missed the apex of a crocodile attack by cutting off part of the wildebeest’s horns in the shot sequence. I was using a 1DX Mark II and caught the croc approaching as well as the attack but I missed the peak pic. I was devastated.

[@Duade]

Thanks for sharing James, that must have been tough and I can relate to missing many moments over the years. At least you got some shots of the sequence. Not sure why this comment just popped up now but thanks for posting it. Cheers, Duade

[@TomazNMelo-tf9sc]

Excellent video. My biggest failure was when I bought my first DSLR and went birdwatching in a State Park in southeast Brazil. It was the first time I used my camera. I didn't have a lens yet and a friend lent me a Canon 75-300mm. At one point we had to cross a river jumping over some rocks, I slipped and fell with all my equipment into the river. Luckily both the camera and lens still work. The funny thing was that I returned to this place 11 years later and a biologist that work there asked me: "hey, are you the guy who fell in the river?"...the history become a legend there...haha

[@Duade]

Lol great story Tomaz, glad to hear your gear and you lived to tell the tale, funny they remembered also. Cheers, Duade

[@SkylarkFields]

Fabulous video and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it and seeing some of your failures and then some of your very beautiful images. The photo of the stilts is superb. It is good to know that even longstanding photographers can make mistakes such as you described. I absolutely LOVE wildlife photography, from looking for a subject, to taking the photo, to going through a basic editing process, and sometimes sending one off to have put on a canvas to display in my home. I am always learning and videos like yours are really fun and helpful to watch. I for one appreciate the time and effort they take to produce. My failures include wrong settings in my rush to get the shot, forgetting to alter the focus limiter, and also thinking my camera has gone wrong because I have knocked the little dial on the front to manual focus and I can't get why it won't auto focus! I actually did that today.... sigh. Look forward to your next video!!

[@Duade]

Thanks for sharing, the MF appears to be one of the more common fails along with the battery. Glad to hear you enjoy photography as much as I do. Cheers, Duade

[@pfoulds1]

Love the honesty and openness here. I can relate to many of these and more but the main point I would leave here for photographers is to not only have insurance but to check that your gear is covered up to the amount to replace the equipment you have. Many policies have a limit of $$$ if you don't tell the company the value of your gear much like jewelry. eg... you drown your gear in the sea and it's value is $4000 and your policy covers up to a max of $2000, you will not be happy. Remember to, that some insurance co treat lens as accessories...sounds wrong but check that you are covered for the worst case .

[@Duade]

Great advice Peter, Cheers, Duade

[@yiboguo8953]

Love your video! So relaxing to watch and I felt I’m part of this community. I’ll share a few of my fails: forgot to turn off delayed shutter and wonder why my shutter won’t fire; accidentally hit the lens barrel button that switches camera into MF; accidentally touched screen which moved focus point to the edge of the screen and made it unusable.

[@Duade]

Thanks for sharing, yes I have done all of those :-) Cheers, Duade

[@lobloustein7455]

i stumbled across you today having just invested in a gimbal head. your lack of machismo is wildly refreshing and your ability to laugh at yourself creates a sense of spaciousness and play. i find the video wonderfully empowering. your transparency and overall attitude radiates generosity and selflessness not often apparent in "professionals" (i, too, dislike the word) thank you, lori B (a san francisco california enthusiast) (and - ✅lens cap on / ✅battery depleted / ✅settings unset / ✅no card in camera / ✅ how long it took me to figure out that subpar tripod was my weak link)

[@Duade]

Thanks for the lovely comment and feedback, I really appreciate it, Cheers, Duade

[@frithy56]

Thanks Duade. Very helpful and encouraging. I’ve made most of those mistakes myself and I’m confident I’ll make more but you’ve encouraged me to keep going.

[@Duade]

Good luck Peter, we all make mistakes, Cheers, Duade

[@pictureeyecandy]

Failure is just part of photography, Glade to hear this. You become a student for life as a photographer always learning to improve your photography. I grabbed my camera bag and realized my camera was at home when I was out.

[@Duade]

Thanks Alvin, I think many of us have done the same thing, Cheers, Duade

[@deryaner35]

Duane, I’ve had similar “fails” but the one that I have had most frequently is the lens stabilization selector is somehow changed to the off setting and I get annoyed because of my shakiness!! Thanks for sharing!!

[@Duade]

Thanks for sharing, I think we have all done that one, Cheers, Duade

[@patricksmith2553]

Gaffer's tape buddy, nice high quality black, or white gaffer's tape. The $40+ roll's like from "Rosco" or Roscos, anyways yeah I use it, a small piece cut or torn just right and lightly placed, or set over the VR/IS switch. I normally leave my lenses on Normal (Nikon) or once in awhile I'll lift the tape and switch to "Sport" if I'm feeling the viewfinder/subject asks for "Sport!" Luckily you or I never really need to turn Off VR/IS these days as that no longer effects image quality negatively as it once could. I've extensively tested my three most used lenses from Nikon (24-70mm f/2.8 VR, 70-200mm f/2.8E VR FL, 500mm f/4E VR FL) all have the latest VR and electromagnetic aperture's, etc. This I tested with thousands of real world images and both a very sturdy tripod/monopod. I currently love and use the Pro Media Gear 42mm diameter "Pro Stix" 77inches tall or 81inches tall monopod/tripod and RRS heads on both. They support up to 125lbs or 60 kilos give or take, which I've also tested lol. My 11 year old tested my tripod by climbing on or hanging from the apex with the legs fully extended like it was a jungle-gym, haha. So, yes no longer do you ever need to turn VR off while on tripod...unless you're crazy or found/find some crazy scenario I've not seen or heard of. Just be careful with your lens switches as they can easily break/fail and even fall or snap off. My first 24-70mm f/2.8E VR from Nikon had it's VR switch fail and fall off, literally just fell off from nothing. All I did was remove the lens from it's protective bag and somehow it just fell off, at first you could see how it snapped or failed and then next time I looked, there was just a dark black hole, you could no longer even see the inside of the selector switch/electronic switch. So please be super careful and this is why Nikon at least has changed or gotten rid of all of the weird little switches in favor of using the menu's/buttons on the camera! It's a weak point or failure point and they know it, from all of the similar incidents where they just "fell off" from normal handling.

[@chrisbrown6432]

I love your comment about stop comparing yourself and the bit about pros etc. That is my belief too. A wonderful and amusing video.

[@Duade]

Thanks Chris, glad to hear you enjoyed it, Cheers, Duade

[@rovleculina8237]

This was such a fun one to watch Duade, very relatable unfortunately :) But I always use those experiences of messing up in the field to learn I guess, and implement precautionary measures into my workflow as to minimize chances of it happening again. Thank you for putting such a great content out, it's very refreshing seeing someone with so much integrity, transparency, and a good sense of humor.

[@Duade]

Thanks Rovle, I appreciate the feedback, I am just sharing reality which seems to be rare these days, Cheers, Duade

[@jenniferdacreativeexplorer]

Yes!!!! Finally!!! I have been waiting for a photographer to do this kind of video. So amazing! Explains the challenges with wildlife and how the pros get shots! Thank you. Thank you! 😊

[@Hummingbirder1]

OMG, Duade! I'm almost unable to watch this, with that thumbnail! Too many PTSD-like flash-backs to my own travel sorrows about camera equipment fatalities... but then, I certainly ain't no pro... (still gonna watch it, though, while trying to breathe) Edit: will probably tell my worst story later, after watching the video. It will be hard to choose, though, I've had 3 really bad ones.

[@Duade]

Thanks, yes, I think we all have stories that are hard to tell ;-) Cheers, Duade

[@terrysmith810]

Always love your honest, realistic approach. Jumped out of my truck to pursue Wild Horses, had downloaded off my memory card earlier in the day. Somehow the card never got installed back in the camera, meanwhile in my haste I locked my keys inside the truck. Epic fail and a night spent in the bed of my truck.

[@Duade]

Oh Terry, that is an epic fail, it must have been hard to go to sleep that night. Thanks for sharing, Cheers, Duade

[@darrylnoda5708]

Great topic. Thank you. Reassuring to know that even veterans of photography sometimes make rookie mistakes. I'm a rookie and very often make rookie mistakes...and since opportunities to capture wildlife and bird photographs sometimes happen in a fleeting moment, such mistakes are quite aggravating. I guess creating some kind of pre-flight check list and then eventually internalizing that check list might help mitigate some mistakes. Thank you for raising these interesting topics for further consideration.

[@Duade]

Thanks Darryl, yes, it can be very frustrating for sure, yes a checklist for batteries and memory cards is a must. Also checking settings before you take shots. I will always take photos and get the exposure once I am onsite before I start looking for birds. Good luck, Cheers, Duade

[@jonnyfez]

What a great and refreshing video. The constant social media stream of seemingly award winning photos are great to see but can really make you feel inferior about your own efforts. Fails do help you learn. I’ve got to destination with no battery and or No card. One of my favourite fails was I went to a friends wedding in the English Lake District. I took some photos at the evening event indoors at ISO 6400. Put camera away. Next day I got up really early and went out and saw the most staggering scene across a lake. Absolutely flat and still. Mountains reflected. Amazing light. I was so excited I just got my camera and took shot after shot without checking settings. Half an hour later I’d moved on and I just suddenly thought I’d ramped up the ISO. Too late. Every single image was just unusable.

[@Duade]

Sorry to hear that Jonny, have you tried DXOPureRaw2? Download a trial and run those images through, it might make them usable. Cheers, Duade

[@jonnyfez]

@@Duade thanks Duane. This was a long time ago. Many years. Think it was a Nikon D70 which was about 6mp. I trashed the files and hopefully learnt my lesson. But thanks for the suggestion.

[@anwaraq94]

One of my most tragic fails that still haunt me to this day. I took a trip down to Georgia and got so many shots of new bird species I've never seen. I used to transfer photos quickly from my camera to my phone via wifi and afterwards I would format my cards for more space. Well to my horror I didn't realize the wifi feature bugged out and only sent half of my shots and I didn't realize so when I formatted I lost half of my shots. One of them being a bird with its baby (money shot) I was devastated. I ended up spending alot of many buying a software program to recover my shots and after all the trouble they were corrupted. Now I'm so paranoid I use dual card upload and directly attach my sd cards to my laptop. Never ever again.

[@Duade]

Thanks for sharing your experience and sorry that happened, I know the feeling oh too well. Great to hear you now have a solution. Cheers, Duade

[@emmapampling538]

I have recently discovered your channel and I'm so happy I did! I'm just over 1 year into bird/wildlife photography as a hobby and was getting really discouraged as I felt I was getting nowhere. To know that even experienced photographers have off days is encouraging for me. You're teaching me not to be so hard on myself, as well as teaching me about image quality, gear and photography in general. Thank you so much for these videos!

[@Duade]

G'day Emma, it is absolutely my pleasure and great to hear you are enjoying this wonderful hobby. It is so rewarding and just to be out in nature is a massive bonus. Good luck with your journey. Cheers, Duade

[@thomashusser9391]

I always enjoy your episodes and appreciate the time and effort that you dedicate to improving this hobby for everyone. I could certainly relate to a good many of the fails that you listed. A battery fail caught me early on and it certainly was a painful, teachable moment. I always have at least one fully charged backup battery in my pocket at all times when I am out now.

[@Duade]

Thanks Thomas, I think we have all suffered the battery issue, Cheers, Duade

[@HIWalkerPhoto]

Not wildlife but went on an epic wildflower hike and left my SD card at home. Oh my gosh and not charging batteries is something I fail at all the time. Deleting images before backing them up. Camera fell into a tide pool. Oh the list goes on and on. Just stumbled across your channel and immediate subscribed, thanks for the content.

[@Duade]

Welcome to the channel, your fails sound very familiar, Cheers, Duade

[@OsakaPvP]

Loved this video. This would have been invaluable to see back when I was starting out. I've had various similar fails and one that nearly stumped me. I somehow knocked the diopter adjuster in the middle of a landscape trip. We went to one of the antelope canyons the next day (they were confused as they'd stopped doing photo tours but we booked it way in advance) and it ended up just being a lovely guide and 2 of us. I went to take my first photo and couldn't see a thing through the viewfinder. I eventually figured out that the camera was working but not the viewfinder by using the rear screen and from there got to the diopter. It was especially funny as I was a reasonably experienced photographer at that point and I was stood there in front of a guide looking like I'd never used my camera before.

[@Duade]

Thanks for sharing Phil, you are the second person to mention this particular fail and they were just as stumped. It is not something you expect that is for sure. Cheers, Duade

[@evenhandedcommentor6102]

I'm surprised you didn't mention the classic. Put camera and lens on tripod, but fail to fully tighten the clamp after fiddling with the camera and lens for balance. Later...pick up tripod to move it without checking that the clamp is tight and camera/lens heads for the ground. Another...so many features in the menu's of modern cameras that something mis-set can drive you nuts. My Olympus OMD cameras have a "Reset Lens" feature that forces the lens focus out to infinity when you either turn off the camera or it goes to sleep. So, I had an older Oly that had Reset Lens set to On, and a newer model with Reset Lens set to off. I would put them both on tripods pointed to different areas where I expected action....and focused in. I was so happy that the newer camera would maintain focus when I would wake it from sleep mode...and I was swearing at the older camera for changing the focus setting on me...until I figured out what was going on by the merest chance. I had actual instruction books for each model, but they were by the same author and he did not list "Reset Lens" under "lens" in the index....it was under Reset. Ugh.

[@Duade]

Oh yes, that has got many a photographer, I have had that happen once and had a poor outcome. I always double check it is secure now before picking it up. Cheers, Duade

[@Hodenkat]

The one thing I keep forgetting is to check my camera settings BEFORE leaving for a location I plan to shoot. Too often I will come home from an evening shoot, take the camera out the next day when it's bright and sunny, see an amazing shot and blow it because the ISO was set to 3200 from my low light shots the evening before.

[@Duade]

Thanks Roger, yes I have done this also, I have trained myself to take a photo before I start taking photos to check. Cheers, Duade

[@monkeywizard77]

My biggest and most consistent "fail" is lack of planning. With a very hectic schedule, I don't get to go out maybe once a month, and won't know until like the day before, so it's mostly a "jump in the car and go to a local park" or something of that sort. I'll drive out, and sometimes the park won't be open, or I'll get there, and won't see any birds. I may still get a few decent shots, but overall the photography side of it will be underwhelming. Luckily, I enjoy the adventure part of it, going out to a new place, spending time outside & anticipating what shots I might be able to get.

[@Duade]

Thanks Todd, I can relate to that, I often travel for work and just go to a local park and see what I can get. I often return empty handed but the process is what I enjoy. Cheers, Duade

[@markframp2104]

Thanks Duade, another great video. Definitely relate to battery issues, totally forgetting to actually put a battery in the camera once, that was a bit embarrassing .. :0)

[@Duade]

Thanks Mark, we have all been there, trust me ;-) Cheers, Duade

[@PaulMiguelPhotography]

Brilliant video Duade. The first fail was painful.. and I know the feeling!

[@Duade]

Thanks Paul, yes, I think many of us have done that, Cheers, Duade

[@larryaustin9203]

Love your honesty! Some of my fails so far. 1: dropping my lens while changing lenses, did this at a school function and made a lot of noise kind of embarrassing, 2: I left my 1.4 tele-convertor on my camera and couldn't figure out why my focusing was so slow and incorrect (previously I had been taking pictures of Saturn and the tele was great for that), 3: my quiet spot in the park was interrupted about the time the birds started getting active, so I started packing up my gear camera first. Then in the corner of my eye I see movement of something swimming down the creek, not sure what it was looked kind of like an Otter but they aren't supposed to be otter here in Shanghai, China. Anyway I missed my chance to get a picture because the camera was already put away. I missed a great shot on that one, less than 3 or 4 meters away.

[@Duade]

Thanks for sharing Larry, yes dropping your gear is never good, I too have missed shots trying to get my camera out and ready. Thanks for sharing, Cheers, Duade

[@rayl801]

Your humility, positive attitude, joy and openess in your presentations are so refreshing and appreciated. You are a fabulous and knowledgeable photographer. I would love the opportunity to join you on a photography journey some day, if only you were not so far away (I live in the USA, but do travel quite a lot, including to a neighbor of yours - New Zealand a few years ago). FYI, I presently own an R5 and after shooting with several older EF mount Canon L & Tamron lenses over many years (50 years or so) doing photography, I have recently purchased the 100-500 L mostly for landscape, wildlife & birds. Then I just purchased an R7 with the 10-18mm & 18-150mm RF-S kit lenses for a lighter travel set-up (much easier to pack than my R5 with EF/RF adapter & Tamron 35-150 f2.8-4 & Canon 16-35 f4 L), and to have the benefits of the crop sensor R7 to get an EFV of 160-800 with the 100-500 (rather than using extenders) as a second body to the R5 for birding & wildlife. Your videos, and others have been a big influence on these purchases. Thanks and keep up the great videos.

[@Duade]

Thanks for the kind feedback Ray, very kind, glad to hear you are enjoying your new mirrorless setup and its working well for you. Cheers, Duade

[@thekeytoairpower]

Biggest Fail: I saw my first wild peregrine falcon. It was on the ground in the bottom of a dry sedimentation pond, which meant I could get nowhere near it. I did manage to get a shot at about 200 meter with my 150-600 and R6 but the light was low so I bumped my shutter speed way down. Bird was small in the frame and I knew I would have to crop it. I started to walk away so as not to scare it but I guess I spooked it anyway. I figured what the heck and Held down the shutter button with the falcon perfectly centered in my frame for about 250 shots. The falcon circled around within probably 25 yards of me, filling the frame. I was super excited until it flew of and I started reviewing and realised that all the shots were at about 1/100th of a second. Out of all of those shots I managed to salvage one. Not a good one, just the least bad one... And yes I posted it proudly on my local birding facebook group. Blurry wings and all.

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

If the head was sharp, it's all good. Just call it "arty". 😉

[@Duade]

I can relate to that fail for sure, glad you managed to save one and you got to have the experience. Cheers, Duade

[@yvesfortin3643]

Your information is great and useful. I remember I was in Central America, it was raining and the ground was muddy and full of water, I walked slowly but I still slipped. When I saw my 500mmf4 falling on the ground, by reflex I lay down in the mud to be able to catch it. I was full of mud, from head to toe, but I saved my lens and camera in extremis, I was lying in the mud but very happy!

[@Duade]

Thanks for sharing Yves, great save, I would take the mud option also, Cheers, Duade

[@chirpydebs]

I love this video! Thank you! Not only is it totally relatable by many photographers wildlife or overwise, but it's refreshingly honest which is encouraging for people who are just starting out. When I took my first tentative steps into the world of insect photography I kept doubting myself as I imagined all these fabulous insect photos were taken on the fly (so to speak 😆), I had no idea that it wasn't just me getting plenty of 'misses'. I now describe those as 'the ones that got away' ... If people ask I am always honest about just how much work goes into getting photos and that epic fails do happen and give us something to laugh about. I've had many of the epic fails you mentioned, but one that my husband won't let me forget was on New Year's Day this year. I don't often take landscape photos, but for me that first sunrise of a new year is special, so I like to get out to photograph it. This year I had the area planned, a beautiful high-up viewpoint looking out over the marine park. As I've been to the place many times before I could envision the scene in my head (or so I thought), with the beautiful beach of the Zakynthos marine park to the right, the warm rays of the sunrise hitting the mini-mountains over Keri and Marathonisi island in the distance, and the sun coming up over the sea to the left-hand side. I totally misjudged it and the sun actually came up further to the left and behind the headland. Not one I'm going to live down considering my husband came with me that day and I had to drag him out of bed at 4:30 am to be sure we didn't miss it.

[@Duade]

Thanks for sharing your story, you described it so well I felt I was along with you, even though the sun didn't come up where you wanted I bet you both had a great adventure and have the memory of it. Cheers, Duade

[@marktaylor9579]

My biggest fail was buying a new set of Lee filters, then going on holiday the next day( just for photography ) - you've guessed, I forgot the filters😞. Love the honesty in the video.

[@Duade]

Thanks Mark, believe it or not I recently ordered a filter only to realise I got the wrong size.... Cheers, Duade

[@bluejays5660]

Fortunately I haven’t experienced any “epic failures” but I do seem to have the reckless habit of not checking my settings before heading out to photograph wildlife, the most common being my exposure compensation. I agree with you that the cost of equipment does not necessarily correspond with the quality of your photos but what I have found in my case is having the right equipment usually does.

[@Duade]

Thanks for the comment, yes I agree, Cheers, Duade

[@douglasstemke2444]

I love the way this is starting. In the film days trying to photograph a running wolf with ASA 50 velvia film early in the morning

[@Duade]

Thanks Douglas, sounds difficult, Cheers, Duade

[@cathco9]

I really enjoyed this video! Thanks so much Duade. I've done the focus limiter fail a few times. 🤦‍♀️ Recent BIG fail ... not remembering that I had turned off the IS on my RF 100-500mm. For two days, I kept seeing really shakey images in the EVF. I really thought I was just tired and couldn't hold the camera steady. I finally checked my lens and saw the IS off. D'oh! I had turned it off a few nights earlier to shoot the moon with my camera on a tripod. I definitely missed some shots. Early on, I left the house, got to my location, and no SD card in the camera. For years now, I leave the battery door open when I'm chargimg. Same when I take the memory cards out. Doors are open, camera not complete. Check for what's missing. I always tell new photographers to stop looking at seasoned pros' work and feeling bad. I used to do that. Then I learned about editing. Now I know how to do some basic editing for improvements. We all have fails and continue to have them. Thank you so much for your channel. I've already shared this video so my photographer friends can see it. Warm regards, Cathy NJ, USA

[@Duade]

Thanks for sharing, good idea re leaving the battery door open, yes we all learn the hard way when it comes to memory cards it seems. Cheers, Duade