Improve Bird Photography by Focusing on the Sweet Spot

[@marchukD]

Wow, Scott! You are actually the first wildlife KZbinr that not just talks buzzwords but actually explains the craft, the thought process of improving the photos. That’s invaluable! Thank you!

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks so much!

[@markjensen663]

Thanks Scott, this might be your best video and piece of advice yet whether your a beginner or advanced bird or wildlife photographer. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment and miss the opportunity or just not notice to begin with. I can honestly say I’ve missed the sweet spot shot more than I can count. Even a common species in the right “sweet spot” conditions can be a keeper.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks !!

[@4gharpure]

Thanks Scott! After watching your images and joining your Patreon group I have started using this sweet spot concept wherever I can.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Fantastic!

[@markEhewitt]

Thank you for sharing. I learned a lot from the last two videos. Thank you.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jackstutts6439]

I have to agree with the previous comment by Mark. You've given some game changing advice for us bird photogs trying to up our game. As for future topics, how to create your sweet spot. I shoot a lot in my yard and recently completed construction of a blind there. I know you've done posts about shooting in your yard before, but maybe it's time to follow up with one that's more centered around seeing through your subject and creating repeatable sweet spots in the yard.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Good one ! I'm working on a project his year so maybe I'll include

[@markkreuzinger7267]

That was the best video I've seen in a very long time. Since I'm flying to florida in 2 weeks to take pictures, I'll have a good opportunity to test the tips directly in practice. Thank you so much for this inspiring video. I've never had the idea of first looking for a suitable background and then waiting for the right object. Very ingenious 🤩

[@733-y1c]

Great video on contrast by tonely light quality Scott, wonderful examples too!

[@chrisjmiller6]

Such a great topic, Scott. It takes a while to start seeing scenes like you describe so well in this video. I think this might be the first time I've ever seen someone discuss this topic. Excellent video!

[@WildlifeInspired]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ScottRitchie-bw9ls]

Scott: really useful topic. Key to going beyond bird to birdscape. Thank you!

[@WildlifeInspired]

Glad it was helpful!

[@patrickmontocchio]

Great topic Scott. Thus is just a class above other videos on wildlife photography. Moving, just a few feet right or left to find a better background makes a lot of difference on the final result. Finding a sweet spot just pushes the concept further. Definitely worth a try. Thanks for this very inspirational video.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@timbardy4832]

Great topic, Scott. Thanks for sharing this.

[@WildlifeInspired]

My pleasure!

[@QVL75]

Very thought provoking subject. Thanks for sharing.

[@SkylarkFields]

More great tips, thank you for sharing!

[@WildlifeInspired]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mscott976]

These last two videos were excellent. I’m a long time amateur photographer but a lover of water fowl. I enjoy our urban ponds.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks!

[@VABrowneMDPhD]

Excellent approach to creating the best images in a particular setting !

[@WildlifeInspired]

Glad you think so!

[@mazenhamdoun8448]

Great advice here. Coming from nature landscape photography taught me the importance of finding great color and composition. Hearing your advice resonates a lot and makes a lot of sense. So much great content on your channel !

[@audreyhaynesvicks1391]

MUST-WATCH VIDEO!! Wish I could’ve watched it two years ago! If you don’t take this advice, you might as well put away your camera unless you don’t like getting great photos. Well done, Scott, and thank you.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks Aud!

[@patthompson1253]

I think we are all finding this excellent advice. All too often we are getting strong backgrounds by accident. Thanks, wonderful advice!!

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks Pat

[@glennhunt3595]

Probably one of the most instructive videos I've seen on u-tube Scott, look forward to more. 👍

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks so much!

[@christydavis470]

Outstanding video - I learned a lot THANK YOU

[@WildlifeInspired]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ravineelakantan6417]

wonderful video...Beautiful idea...thanks very much.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@davewomack2216]

Great video Scott. I've shot wood ducks that have a dark background and it really detracts from the image. Will now look for that "sweet" spot you describe here-many thanks!

[@rudyviereckl4973]

I really enjoyed your insights. This is a bit of a mind shift. I find that myself, it’s more of a bonus when I get something in the “sweet spot”. But to actively concentrate on this is brilliant. Thanks

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks!

[@lindakarlin2980]

Thanks so much for this tip. What a difference it has made with my duck pictures.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Great to hear!

[@cguerrieri4866]

Thanks for the great instruction. Making me a better photographer

[@WildlifeInspired]

You bet!

[@GrahamCorfield]

Hey Scott, loved this video. Hadn't really thought of it like this before, but will now, how simple in reality, but never really thought of as a concept. Great stuff. Will definitely try to adopt this from now on. Cheers

[@WildlifeInspired]

Glad you liked it!

[@GrahamCorfield]

@@WildlifeInspired yep super thanks

[@joanneabramson2645]

Helpful reminders on paying attention to the backgrounds. Scott one of the things I am struggling with is exposure compensation. I am shooting manual with auto ISO, then using exposure compensation as needed. However when shooting waterfowl on the pond, and then when they fly my exposure compensation can change three times in a few seconds. How do you find a "sweet spot" for EC? I use a Nikon 500 PF lens with a Nikon D500.

[@WildlifeInspired]

I err on the side of underexposing with ducks because they often have areas that blow out if you dont. if you use single point exposure metering, you may want to open that up to a wider metering area, that should give you less swing in exposures overall.

[@abdulsattarmughal3752]

Excellent video, it definitely going to change my thinking when I go next time taking photos, thank you! 😊

[@WildlifeInspired]

Have fun!

[@SymbiotAlpha]

awesome video, thanks.

[@stevethompson8154]

Thanks Scott. I plan on using this mind set in Grouse Blinds this Spring. I've been several times and am thinking this will help to up my game.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Jessehermansonphotography]

Excellent training video! Love it

[@WildlifeInspired]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Milutino]

Great video, thanks a lot!

[@WildlifeInspired]

You are welcome!

[@grega9220]

Thank you so much on the iso-invariant topic. uggh. I'm a little tired of the ETTR overuse. I've been under exposing for a while now. Good to know I'm not alone and its reassuring to hear it from you. 👍

[@WildlifeInspired]

Ill try to make a video with real world example of in camera exposure and post processing exposure gain. blown highlights tend to be a deal breaker for me.

[@dragett34]

After your video last week, I started finding myself more intentionally looking at the framing of the bird in the picture, really trying to capture something beautiful (in fact, trying to get a photo for your blue themed challenge), and while I didn't have this piece of the puzzle, I found myself getting close to it. But you explained it so well and effectively here that it just all has clicked together. Thank you for another wonderful video!

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks for the reinforcement !

[@TheWildlifeGallery388]

GREAT Vid - I'm new to wildlife Photography (9 months) this is the concept I need to improve on, as it easy to get distracted and chase after any shot instead of the RIGHT shot

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks! Good luck

[@ridealongwithrandy]

Just found your channel, lots of good stuff, lots to watch! Cheers!

[@WildlifeInspired]

Welcome aboard!

[@uaebifvideo5472]

Very informative!!Thank you, Scott!!👍🏼

[@WildlifeInspired]

Glad it was helpful!

[@plouffesofafeather]

I really enjoyed this video! I hadn't really been considering backdrops yet since I'm usually just trying to get them to be blurry. I definitely have to try underexposure to lighten in post, my shots are always super noisy

[@WildlifeInspired]

Glad it was helpful!

[@paulinefollett3099]

Just subscribed. I found this video very helpful to take my photography to the next level.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Awesome, thank you!

[@edhickl205]

Excellant discussion. Curious about some of the photos shown taken with Z9, 400 mm F mount and 540 mm focal length. Did you use a 1.4 teleconverter or switch the Z9 from FX to DX?

[@WildlifeInspired]

1.4 for those !

[@andymok7945]

Nice work. I have found the Pied-billed Grebes to be very playful. There was a couple of times where it seems liked they were playing peek-a-boo with me. I still think too much like a birder when I have my camera with me.

[@WildlifeInspired]

They are definitely super curious !

[@oastorga]

I went last week to a pond I normally photograph waterfowl. This time the sweet spot was prominent. I’m really pleased with the results. Thanks for bringing this idea forward!

[@WildlifeInspired]

Great to hear!

[@davidligon6088]

Thanks for yet another very useful video. It makes perfect sense. I’m definitely going scouting for “sweet spots” this weekend.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Perfect!

[@JohnGallagher-e4u]

I was taking some photos of northern shockers and hooded Maganser this morning And I was thinking about this exact thing catching them in a sweet spot.

[@johnlangford7788]

Great video as usual. Loving your work.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks so much.

[@JeffreyPadell]

For my personal photography I like the sweet spot but I have noticed that if I turn them in to competitions at the camera club the judges mark you down for the "sweet spot" as being distracting and to light...

[@WildlifeInspired]

quit your camera club .... lol those clubs are so subjective and in my limited experience often the loudest voice has the biggest input and sways everyone else to their opinion.

[@coeliingold9173]

I usually shoot underexposed,so it’s great to know that with the z9 the noise isn’t increased. Thanks for justifying it for me, lol. And also, thanks for the info on Highlight-weighted metering! I had no idea what that was and am so excited to try that out 🤗

[@randyschwager2515]

Excellent advice! Thanks

[@WildlifeInspired]

Glad it was helpful!

[@penorvoll]

This video was very helpful! Thank you! 🙂

[@WildlifeInspired]

I'm so glad!

[@sinetwo]

Great video Scott as always - as I've gotten better at photography, I've found myself obsessing with the background, especially for underwater photography. This has translated up to overwater photography as well, and I've found myself doing quite a lot of test shots before focusing on a select 2-3 sweet spots, and capturing pictures there. I like the idea that you have multiple sweet spots, because that means for a single subject, you can get more chances

[@WildlifeInspired]

Absolutely

[@njs12706]

Spot on advice. Thanks you

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks Nigel

[@WernerBirdNature]

Hi Scott, thanks a lot for sharing this powerful insight !! I will most definitely try to focus more on this aspect. You were even training your duck to start singing @ 8:55 when leaving the sweet spot 😛

[@selectiveimagery]

Great video, many a time as the sun kisses the tree line in the distance I watch to see where that splash of color will appear on the pond and like you said see if I can capture something in the light, this applies to BIF photo's as well when panning I'm always looking to press the shutter when the background appears more colorful. With water though sometimes with no color if there is a breeze I try to use the movement of the water as a compliment to the subject. Once again great video, really enjoyed it - Jeff

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks so much

[@craigwallace166]

More excellent advice! I’m trying to break myself from being a chaser and focus more when there are multiple birds, just get to excited. Do you use auto iso? Do you use exposure compensation to under expose? Thanks.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Yes generally auto iso with exp comp

[@elainebedard4103]

Excellent video and theme, thank you! Just subscribed and looking forward to watching more content!

[@WildlifeInspired]

Awesome, thank you!

[@timseward19]

A little late with my comment, but your examples so make your point, every time! Always well thought out, always worth listening to.

[@raywatson3027]

Great video with some great images, now tempted to try this myself, one question though, on your panning shots what would you estimate your keeper rate to be?

[@WildlifeInspired]

100%. I've never missed a shot in my life For the slow shutter panning at under 1/50 to get. Bith wing blur and relatively sharp head. About 3-5 keepers for every 100. It's a lot of frames to get it nailed.

[@WildlifeInspired]

100%. I've never missed a shot in my life For the slow shutter panning at under 1/50 to get. Bith wing blur and relatively sharp head. About 3-5 keepers for every 100. It's a lot of frames to get it nailed.

[@raywatson3027]

@@WildlifeInspired Thanks I'll see how I get on, should be fun trying

[@christophercorr2329]

One thing I am trying to do more is wait in one spot. I just always feel there’s going to be something or somewhere better if I just keep walking around.

[@WildlifeInspired]

That's the death trap. Lol

[@greghazen9959]

This is a great video!

[@WildlifeInspired]

Glad you think so!

[@enricomarconi8358]

Not quite, it's actually less noise when you increase 'in camera' and then manage it in post... as test shows...

[@WildlifeInspired]

Can you link me to the test? I just did a video on this and when I tested the Z9, I can see no difference.

[@enricomarconi8358]

@@WildlifeInspired kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJvOl2ZnrJyZrbc

[@LukeKwan78]

How do u manage to shoot video and photos of the same scene? Even with two cameras with dames lens one would be slightly off compare to the other?

[@100mikeshark]

Interesting sryle

[@martinfairbairn2820]

But at the end of the day ! its all a personal preference! we all see the image a different way

[@WildlifeInspired]

of course. I share what I like and enjoy with some tips for those that enjoy. there's no one right or wrong way to create art or show the beauty of the natural world.