Improve Your Bird Photography with 5 Real Tips!

These are practical tips that don't involve gear choices or camera settings. I tried to think about improvement and what really matters and how to make your work change for the better.
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www.patreon.com/WildlifeInspired
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Nikon Z9: bhpho.to/3rM9O7A
Nikon 400mm 2.8 Z: bhpho.to/3tj806y
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Leofoto monopod: bit.ly/46xfQYE
Robus Tripod: bhpho.to/46eAQn3
Promedia Gear Tomahawk (monopod gimbal): tinyurl.com/4vdkuy98
Promedia Katana Jr (tripod gimbal): tinyurl.com/yjtf4s4a
Leofoto fluid head: bit.ly/3ZFtRB8
AK Diffuser: akdiffuser.com/?wpam_id=30 (COUPON CODE skeys5 for more savings)
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Leofoto: leofotousa.com/wildlifeinspired

[@brett_s_photography]

I think everything about my wildlife photography changed when I understood two things; understanding light and that backgrounds are as important as the subject.

[@cguerrieri4866]

Great thoughts! Composition and light are the home runs. Settings should be an easy hurdle, no big secrets there.

[@ammiddleriverstudio5839]

So basic and yet so fundamental. Thanks ;-)

[@craigwallace166]

Thanks Scott, these are all great tips. My biggest struggle so far is light, reading and learning about light is one thing, putting it into use is another. Spending time out photographing and practicing with the different lighting conditions is what I need to do.

[@wismokey]

Great video. I have been involved with photography for about 60 years. Over that time I have learned that having an open mind and listening to input/criticism is important to improving. As long as it is done in a respectful and civil way. Many years ago I also learned from an old timer that it usually doesn't work to offer feedback unless that person asks for some. I learned a few times it was met with negative results like a door slammed shut. I now will ask first if they would like some input or suggestions. The hardest thing to open is a closed mind. When I teach people about photography I tell them to be in control from beginning to end; not have the camera do the work. On another point, I "guided" a Nat Geo photographer a few days that was working on an assignment on the area National Forest and the most important advice he had was to "see the light".

[@Jimboshep]

Great video Scott. I couldn’t agree more with your No. 1 rule.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Glad you liked it!

[@user-gk5gk5ov7s]

I absolutely agree about the light and thank you for a refresh!

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks for watching!

[@user-gk5gk5ov7s]

My pleasure!

[@chriskeele5516]

#3 is by far the hardest for me! Especially with waterfowl - just hiding in a good spot before sunrise where they'll come close.

[@cgan2013]

I’m glad that light was number one on your list. I dabble in wildlife when the opportunities present themselves. I am primarily a landscape shooter and cannot stress the importance of light and distinguishing “great/good” light from “poor/average” light. It makes all the difference in providing a great starting point in the post-processing stage.

[@OwenEDell]

Good job! I would add action to the list. I much prefer images that show behavior to those endless "bird on a stick" photos that all novices take. Because I have come to appreciate action so much I have been adding video to my quiver of approaches. At a nearby marsh a heron and an egret engage in daily squabbles that are both amusing and fascinating. Catching them in action makes for some great still images and videos. Waiting for a bird to take off, to glide in for a landing, to hunt, or to interact with other birds is worth the investment in time and the effort needed to keep a keen eye out for behavior.

[@WildlifeInspired]

I might lump that all into "engagement". Action. Behavior. Interaction.

[@georgemason2472]

Good points. I think I would put behavior #1. Shooting bull elk in the rut is going to be much more productive than any other time of year. If you want a shot of a male and female Wood Duck together, don't wait till she's started nesting.... Two, while I like the idea of a critical mentor, I would caution that first is enjoy the hobby; A new birder is going to feel great getting any shot of a Canada Warbler. He doesn't need some pro telling him he needs to improve his background, etc. We all progress differently up the ladder to better shots. Sometimes imperfections is better. A slightly grainy shot of a very early morning bird is far more realistic than a spit polished shot. Three, editing is some great points on jpeg and raw. My favorite aspect is cropping. Why leave distracting elements in a shot if you don't need to.. Love your videos and thanks for sharing.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks so much !

[@davidhuth5659]

Great list of tips! These should definitely be priorities! Thanks for sharing!

[@WildlifeInspired]

You are so welcome!

[@glennhunt3595]

Just taking a look at the images you put up while talking about light proves the point you was trying to make. - Super photos with fantastic light. 👌👍

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks for that!

[@sarahbatsford4791]

Thank you for this. Just started bird photography so learnt more from this video. Subscribed & loving it😁

[@WildlifeInspired]

Welcome aboard!

[@uaebifvideo5472]

Thank you, Scott for this informative upload!!👍🏼

[@WildlifeInspired]

My pleasure!

[@marklaurendet1861]

A good set of tips, especially light.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks !!

[@tonyblake8841]

Light, light, light, light and fps. 😊

[@peterosborne9802]

Thankyou, I'm often asked "what should I do" and I refer them not only to the three basic rules Iso-shutter speed- f stop. That triangle that so many KZbin videos talk about but I tell people that for me the most important factor is Light.it should be in the middle of the triangle cause without it or an understanding of it you don't have a photograph.

[@WildlifeInspired]

That't interesting. when people talk about the exposure triangle, light is usually an application of AMOUNT (quantity) not quality. I have a video coming up on that so stay tuned!

[@sh1209macro]

Fantastic video!

[@WildlifeInspired]

Glad you liked it!

[@stephanandersen7643]

I cant find your "light" playlist - link please :)

[@WildlifeInspired]

That series will be coming up. Stay subscribed and those videos will be out in a couple weeks.

[@frankfurter7260]

The opening video is much improved from the prior version but I still think it’s a net negative for your channel. You have a potential viewer at your site that clicked on a video and after your brief intro words instead of getting right to the substance which is why people are there you cut away and make them watch the intro video. I’m curious what you think the benefit of the intro video is?

[@naoufaltakroumt6373]

I really do not recommend upgrading camera or lens given you’ve go the right focal length already and count on that upgrade to get better pictures