How I Fixed A Busy Background In 3 Seconds!

[@TheDebbieweeks]

I love getting on the ground to get to eye level. The trick is getting back up.

[@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism]

hahahaha, what used to not be a thought, sure becomes more and more on the mind as we age.

[@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism]

@@KZbinTookMyNickname.WhyNot Why would I strive to be poetic with the reality of aging? lol......... It sucks. It's not roses are red. :D

[@krishchandran4125]

Hahaha totally !

[@brucewilliamsstudio4932]

@@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism For some strange reason I recall hearing about the "Golden Years" when I was younger. Now that I'm 69 I've come to realize that there's nothing Golden about getting older. Fools gold maybe, but not golden....

[@dogwalker350]

With an articulating LCD screen for composition and focus checking, the camera can be low without me getting stuck down flat on the ground. Used this trick last weekend. Hope if becomes more instinctive with practice.

[@scottadamski3788]

My problem is not getting to eye level with my subject, it is the getting back up!

[@MarkFloyd7451]

LOL. Seriously, sorry to hear that. Do those streches your physical therapist tells you to do and do air squats to strengthen those leg muscles.

[@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism]

@@MarkFloyd7451 It's not just the muscles, but it's the joints that fail as we age. Not so simple as simply working out.

[@backcountrygallery]

The lcd flip screen helps. I use it all the time.

[@AlexMcDougallPhotography]

I'm nearly 60 and have real trouble getting down to eye level.

[@techguyml]

Squats buddy

[@bmwohl]

Oh my gosh, Steve. After 50 years of interchangeable lens photography, I've known that my compansion outshoots me with her low angle and iphone pictures over my similar position but standing pictures. I never before realized that this was a blurred background effect, but of course it is. THANK YOU! Eye opener!.

[@davidcottee3464]

Great explanation thanks Steve

[@LarryFasnacht]

I have listened to literally thousands of tips and tricks on photography. And this is the first time I’ve ever heard this talked about. Thank you! I’ll definitely be trying to put this to use.

[@johneells9364]

Applicable in almost every genre of photography!

[@thescouser8629]

Hi Steve, Couldn’t agree more. Was down the beach earlier this week with the shorebirds. Even shooting from a seated position brought in the background. However getting the lense to ground level minimised the pebbles and produced some really nice blurred foregrounds/backgrounds. Just need to avoid sand on the equipment and getting up……!

[@lorrainewright2700]

Fantastic! I absolutely would not have realized how worth it clawing my way back up off the ground would be. You are the best - these tips!!!

[@josefmazzeo6628]

Steve, thanks - great tips! I like water shots that are down low to the surface of the water for this reason, but sometimes it's dangerous for the equipment....ooopps, hold on tight!

[@JeffreyNewman-ub5dh]

Great video, great tips. Recently I've been trying to understand a super wide, 10mm lens. Getting low can have some interesting effects. Your connection of the slope of the land, the position of the animal, etc. is very insightful.

[@tdemask]

I recently watched a video on focal plane adjustments with tilt shift lenses. This made sense to me, but I didn’t think to apply it to my normal lenses. Brilliant! Thanks!

[@sekaf4125]

thank you Steve. It seems your pictures are even better these days. appreciate the the no BS approach to the "How To's"

[@davidcox2499]

Steve we missed you. Great to see you back again.

[@backcountrygallery]

Yup, just really busy with the Z6iii guide and all the book updates.

[@kibbo00]

Thanx Steve, I knew this subconsciously, but now I'll start thinking of it as I shoot. Your site and KZbin vids are my go to for great information. Thanx from Viera.

[@n1k1george]

Wow, a master class in under 5 minutes! Thank you Steve!

[@ArnaudLerondeau]

Super practical razor sharp clear explanation and examples ! Bravo et merci once again Steve 👏

[@annedewinnaar3285]

Brilliant explanation Steve, thank you! Love how you explain things.

[@bigdog5177]

Love this technique - now I have a new tool to play with for the next month. Thanks :)

[@davewomack2216]

One tip I would add Steve, is that be prepared (clothes wise) to get eye level to the animal. I was out in a wet sandy area trying to get shore birds but forgot appropriate wear. Getting wet and sandy and then messing up my vehicle was not worth it. Lesson learned-bring at least a pad for the knees or legs or some old pants or just maybe a change of clothes to keep in the vehicle. Great work Steve! Keep up the tips.

[@T0m03at]

Best tip and explanation of why everyone tells new photographers to shot at eye level.

[@ranjankmsphotography]

Very useful information 😊❤ This small tips n tricks make huge difference.

[@lisam.sonorandesert]

You are such a great teacher and very generous with your knowledge! Thank you!

[@daveauk6898]

Great tip Steve. As a Nikon novice I’ll be giving that one a go. Many thanks.

[@merkin22]

Thanks, Steve! Yet one more thing for me to think about and then forget when shooting :) Seriously, excellent tip.

[@HooligansImagery]

An eye opener for sure. Thanks for this.

[@pattymattes7124]

Yes, very helpful. Thank you!!!

[@cesarm8811]

Thanks for sharing this tip. Will be using moving forward.

[@MaureenTansey]

once again,Steve nails it!!

[@andrewbraden6813]

As always, great help Thanks Steve

[@Damo530D]

I love this channel, this is a perfect explination

[@RayRosher]

Love these tips sometimes all it needs a little thought, Nice one Steve

[@generallee5609]

Subconscious I knew better. Now, front of the mind awareness. Thx for bringing this forward in such a direct video. You’re always a great help! Thx

[@nicholaskh]

always great advise, thanks Steve

[@WouterTurkenburg]

Thanks for the tip. So simple, but you have to know it.

[@imtiazakbar9795]

you are the best sir !

[@warrengh5647]

Excellent advice again Steve and something I did not know about.

[@drglencoleman]

great vid. thank you.

[@ThorstenKlint]

Hi Steve. Nice videos very useful!!! When do see an in more depth Guid to wildlife photography for the Sony A9 III ?

[@johnspencer6538]

Another super video. Keep up the great work, it's much appreciated. John

[@JulesMoyaert_photo]

Thank you! 👍

[@eurika391]

Thank you very informative.

[@duncanwallace7760]

Excellent advice, thanks!!!

[@Bob-qu5ux]

very helpful. One of the frustrations of photographing animals in enclosures is often you can't get down low enough to get the focal plane parallel to the subject.

[@stevelink3]

Excellent video and tip, Steve! I usually find that shooting close to wide open (f4.5-6.3) on my Nikkor 180-600 does the trick, when, like you said, the background isn't too close to the subject. But your tip to get at "eye level" to the subject is brilliant too...except maybe when shooting in a field of cactus. :-)

[@zenscape]

When I saw the title, I thought it was a Photoshop tutorial. But your tips are better than that! Thank you.

[@jimolsen8880]

My old High School photo teacher used to tell us 'When you see the photo you want to take, stop and take it. Then move: higher, lower, right or left and you will find the picture that you NEED to take."

[@MiscellanyTop]

Yes and with digital that is realistic. In fact, I triple-bracket all shots (especially useful with the awful light we've had for the past sixteen months) and I often take horizontal and vertical shots if I cannot decide the best. Then, with animals which move, I take more to compensate for that. Then your point - yes looking for different perspectives and shooting more than one if necessary is very important, too.

[@hbarwick1]

Great tips as always

[@PeterPanoramics]

Useful tip, thanks

[@cyrilhamel8289]

Very interesting. Good video, as always ! 🙂

[@ChuckJ7777]

This is a great tip. Thank you, I never thought of that.

[@19Photographer76]

Well, at 78 I'm still doing Mushrooms and I love using my 70-200mm with an 18mm ET. Your background technique works great except, like you said, when there's an upslope behind the subject. As for physical limitations, sports help me to block them out and a field monitor is a great alternative to the flip screen.

[@thomastuorto9929]

I have noticed it but didn’t know why. Also noticed then when shooting downhill like on the beach near the water that has a 4’ tide differential or better, don’t have to get as low because what you mention. It’s like laying (still shooting the D810 without tilting screen) on the ground but only from a squatting position. Thanks for the vid.

[@ciureamihai]

Nice to see new content from you!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@philippecassan1209]

Great video, simple and effective trick ! 👍

[@johnmcote1528]

Great tip Steve. Thanks, as always!

[@rogerdaigle2621]

I'm having an AHA moment! Thanks Steve!

[@quicktastic]

Great tips... as usual.

[@randyschwager84]

Excellent info! Thanks Steve!

[@deepak_karra]

Who else thought that Steve will show us a new feature in lightroom/photoshop to make background soft lol.

[@swaroop_vp]

Me 😂

[@kapilbhallafoto]

Very useful

[@alfonsovelasco9627]

Much appreciated !!

[@alastairwatson2714]

Great tip! Thanks

[@spinthma]

Amazing, thanks!!!

[@stoufenatz3728]

Thanks a lot Steve !

[@johnr75]

sorry, but I like the picture on the left better (of the prairie dog), the bird photo was excellent as well as the Elk, etc... I didn't like the blur on the kit fox though... But, I appreciate your explanation of how this works! - Thanks!

[@tomingrassiaimages8776]

Brilliant!

[@enricomarconi8358]

We need a video on dirt 'n stuff Steve... how do you get on the ground without messing yourself up, the lens and the camera? And what about scatological 'chocolate' surprises found around as one's hunting for images? It would be informative a few tips from a pro like you!

[@backcountrygallery]

I could do something like that, but it's really simple - I flip out the LCD and squat or kneel down. Mostly squat, but it depends on how long I have to hold the position.

[@enricomarconi8358]

@@backcountrygallery I still think it could be a good video, perhaps talking about different positions and tips to minimise dieting up the gear and yourself… give it a thought (?)

[@clivekeen3463]

Tips on using the flip-up monitor for low-level shots would be very helpful. Old guys have trouble lying on the ground (or more so getting back up!) and lying on the ground means insect bites in hot climes.

[@backcountrygallery]

What kind of tips? It sounds like it had potential, but I'd like to know if there are any specifics that might be helpful.

[@mortenlamoey]

Good info. Thanks. Have you tried the new lens blur function in Lightroom Classic?

[@backcountrygallery]

I have and it works sort OK. I think it's still a little rough and it's way easier to get it right in the field IMO :)

[@MichaelCantwell]

Wonderful video. Thanks, Steve.

[@backcountrygallery]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jose280714]

Nice t-shirt Steve...

[@YT_Civilian]

Nice tip

[@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism]

Great tip!

[@Tdog500]

Thanks!

[@RVNmedic]

Thanks Steve. I tried to subscribe to your newsletter but neither Chrome or Safari could open the site.r

[@backcountrygallery]

Thanks for letting me know - which site though? backcountrygallery.com or was it the link in the description not working?

[@BerndLaukotter]

There´s an opportunity to blur the background by photo editing. Create a mask that includes the background only, reduce the contrast, saturation, dust and sharpness a little bit. It´s not as effective as going to eye level, but it improves the photo. Kind regards Bernd from Germany.

[@balintk.9373]

That's why I always dress up accordingly :D

[@wayne_w5892]

When I originally saw the title of this video I thought you might be talking about Lens Blur in Photoshop and Lightroom. But with that being said, what’s your opinion on using software for this as well.

[@backcountrygallery]

I'v used it a bit, it's still a little rough IMO but if used sparingly it can help tame backgrounds. The trick is making it look more or less natural.

[@SouthCarolinaiNaturalist]

Have you played with any of the background blur software solutions?

[@bmx08]

Thanks 🇧🇷

[@withvinayak]

OK. Where do I get that beautiful t shirt now? Thanks for the video btw! 😊

[@backcountrygallery]

Gotta go yo YNP. I think it was at either the old faithful store or the one in canyon village :)

[@Graygeezer]

At my age, it takes longer than that to get to ground level without injuries.

[@willmansfield6532]

Getting down to subject eye level is the easy part - it's getting back up that's the bitch, at least for us geezers! 🥴

[@LetishaL]

Good tutorial, but you aren't going to get blurry backgrounds of wildlife with a kit lens. ;)

[@d3xmeister]

Stock video looks awful. What’s suppose to be the point of it ? It ads nothing, so it’s pointless, it’s distracting, it takes away from your video

[@vzshadow1]

So what you're saying is lie on your belly.

[@backcountrygallery]

Absolutely not! That’s what a flip out LCD screen is for :-) (seriously that’s how I do it, I’m almost never on my belly)

[@vzshadow1]

@@backcountrygallery I go for the belly. I like my viewfinder!

[@backcountrygallery]

@@vzshadow1 I get it - I'll go belly down on a rare occasion and I do prefer it over using the flip screen. However, more often than not I'm either going to be in mud or, in the case of the prairie dogs, fleas and turds. So, I tend to use the rear LCD in those cases :)

[@BobG-eh5fc]

Great tip!!

[@sw8471]

Excellent tip. Thanks!