Mastering BIRDS IN FLIGHT Photography - Bird Photography Secrets Revealed - Jan Wegener Vlog

[@stephenelderphoto]

Fantastic useful tips. Thanks!

[@jan_wegener]

Glad it was helpful!

[@aussie8114]

Strange how some people give a 👎🏼 to videos. There’s so much valuable information here that I know to be spot on. Though personally I’ve pretty much given up on birds in flight. The little bastards are just too quick 😂 Something I remember Mark Smith pointing out is try not to open up the aperture too much, by stopping down a bit you increase your chances of getting enough of the bird in focus that it won’t be a throw away shot.

[@jan_wegener]

Oh well, haters gonna hater :D Yes, it's always a trade of and I am a big advocate on stopping down generally. If you can stop to F8 and still maintain a 1/2000 or more, than I would totally suggest that. However, because usually BIF are further away, depth of field isn't as critical, but it can help if you slightly mis-focused. and yes, they are soooooo fast :D

[@rakeshnambiar1897]

Very useful tips, thanks a lot 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@jan_wegener]

Most welcome 😊

[@BhajansAshwin]

Fantastic practical tips including the two fundamental methods which have been validated

[@jan_wegener]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you :)

[@wawanbalik]

Thanks for all the awesome videos Jan!

[@jan_wegener]

you're welcome. Thanks for watching

[@loufaraone5792]

Very helpful. Great tips. Keep up the good work. Thank you.

[@jan_wegener]

Thanks Lou, will do!

[@nightmareaccomplice5816]

This is the BEST video!!!!!♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

[@jan_wegener]

Thanks

[@j4kke046]

Wonderful video Jan, thanks!

[@jan_wegener]

Many thanks my friend

[@sylviaby9174]

I really enjoy listening to and watching your videos. Great tips for getting the right shot.

[@jan_wegener]

Thanks a lot :)

[@papabear7875]

Very useful tips and never age.

[@alexpolite]

Amazing video as always Jan! i loved listening the stories of your shots!

[@jan_wegener]

thank you! I thought about doing a little series on how I got certain images.

[@roadapple8193]

Great tips and tricks for BIF !!!!! Thank you !!!

[@jan_wegener]

My pleasure!

[@sarkarpappu]

Great video mate, it was indeed helpful. Keep up the great work.

[@jan_wegener]

Thanks, will do!

[@kimtouzel3894]

Thanks Jan, always love picking up a few tips from your videos!

[@jan_wegener]

So glad!

[@praharshamajeti1247]

wonderful content Jan...much useful tips and techniques.. cheers :)..

[@jan_wegener]

Glad it was helpful! Much appreciate your comment

[@bruceterrill8730]

Yes! Fantastic subject and great advice. Quality of your videos keeps getting better and a subject where everyone struggles from the beginning. Very timely, with all the bird photographers just being able to get back out into the fields after 'Lockdown'. Well done Jan, probably your best yet. Bruce.

[@jan_wegener]

Thanks so much Bruce, appreciate your comment

[@ianfirth-clark5975]

great video Jan really enjoying your tips

[@jan_wegener]

That's great to hear Ian :)

[@polacofederos]

great tips! very helpful. will try to put them in practice next time.

[@jan_wegener]

Glad it was helpful! Good Luck!

[@DennisJacobsenWildlife]

Amacing phots and good tips 🙏🏻📷🙂

[@jan_wegener]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@DennisJacobsenWildlife]

@@jan_wegener Always 👍🏻😁

[@11557bexley]

Great video

[@jan_wegener]

Thanks!

[@ringeradi]

Great video, well done.

[@jan_wegener]

Thanks a lot! Appreciate the comment Adi

[@Cherishartz]

Thanks, your info is very easy to understand. Now to put it into action.

[@jan_wegener]

Glad it was helpful!

[@stadenart]

Great tips, Jan. I appreciate you taking the time to share your techniques. I came to your videos through watching Duade Paton's videos. Both of you have fantastic images and a good skill at teaching. Thanks.

[@jan_wegener]

Thanks Art, much appreciated

[@jiffijoff9780]

Great tips there, Jan. Thanks for compiling them all together in one video, well done 👍

[@jan_wegener]

My pleasure! Thank you

[@sabineschroll24]

Great and very helpful video! thanks

[@jan_wegener]

You're welcome Sabine :)

[@photooutdoor2574]

Great informative Video! I should have seen that a few years ago 😉! I now use the procapture mode of my Olympus to take pictures of starting birds!

[@jan_wegener]

sounds interesting, Never looked into Olympus, but I heard good things

[@ZOly62]

🕛 Timestamps: 01:06 Planning 01:48 Shutter Speed 02:45 Focus Points 04:32 Back Button Focusing 04:58 First Tehnique - Panning 06:58 Second Tehnique - Prefocus 09:12 Knowing Behaviour For Best Posing 09:43 Weather and Light 10:30 Sun and Wind 11:26 Best Gear 12:29 Lenses 13:00 Stories and Examples 15:31 FInal Toughts Great advices.

[@Shok1t]

What are your methods for handling birds flying pass various light & dark backgrounds ( like skies to forest) without blowing highlights or under exposing too much?

[@kirkwest3721]

Very comprehensive video this will be extremely useful to anyone starting with BIF and even someone with limited experience. Thanks for posting I shall definitely refer it to anyone interested in BIF.

[@jan_wegener]

thanks Kirk!

[@gerards5858]

A really informative video Jan.

[@jan_wegener]

Glad you liked it

[@betwixt3193]

Fantastic video mate, both in content and presentation

[@jan_wegener]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@steveparent8788]

Outstanding tips Jan ! Keep on the good work !

[@jan_wegener]

Thank you! Will do!

[@kiah9318]

Good information and great tips on how to shoot birds in flight. Thank you for sharing the technique.

[@jan_wegener]

Glad you found it helpful :)

[@Duade]

Great video mate, loads of great tips, I need to try more BIF shots. Cheers, Duade

[@jan_wegener]

you need some eagles soaring past the "cliff" at your house!

[@horst-engler]

I love this type of photography.

[@jan_wegener]

ja, hat schon was, auch wenns ichs eher selten mache

[@horst-engler]

@@jan_wegener Du hast aber eine Menge sehr guter Flugfotos. Kenne ja viele deiner Fotos. Die Floridafotos sind mir noch sehr gut in Erinnerung.

[@jan_wegener]

@@horst-engler danke! Ja, da ist es natuerlich besonders einfach :D

[@horst-engler]

@@jan_wegener stimmt ja. Fast schon zu einfach ;-)

[@jangregory2824]

Great video as usual, many thanks

[@jan_wegener]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@wholefoodsvegankitchen]

Have been trying these techniques, but still need to practice back button focusing. Thanks for these tips!

[@jan_wegener]

Great, that can take a while to get used to

[@canonphotographer]

Enjoyed watching this video Jan!....

[@jan_wegener]

that's great to hear :)

[@legacyfitness7469]

Fantastic tips! Thank you!

[@jan_wegener]

You're so welcome!

[@mosheovadya]

Great tips. Thank you.

[@jan_wegener]

Glad it was helpful!

[@yingchen8979]

Hi Jan, thanks so much. I like your videos. They are clearly presented and very practical tips. Loving your photos too. Awesome!

[@jan_wegener]

Thank you!

[@purtion851]

Fabulous tips and sharing!!! Thankyou sooo much! I am still practicing on setting up my focus point to where the bird will land....sometimes i am lucky and sometimes...oh well..atleast i tried!! Thankyou so much......Love your Videos....thankyou for doing this!!!!😀

[@jan_wegener]

You are so welcome!

[@472796]

Thank you so much for your response. Yes, i know I could hit pause, but I couldn’t help myself from trying to read them. They were gone in a flash. I think leaving the very valuable information up longer of what your camera settings are would be wonderful. I learned several good tips from this video.

[@jan_wegener]

yes that makes sense. Thanks!

[@singoutloudwithme1897]

Thank you Jan - lovely video. You are very generous with your knowledge.

[@jan_wegener]

You are very welcome

[@trevorgreen2370]

Thanks very much for your time explaining your techniques. Your images are truely amazing. Well done.🙏

[@jan_wegener]

Glad you enjoyed them Trevor

[@markhalling9195]

Thank you some great tips I love doing BIF

[@jan_wegener]

Any time! Thanks!

[@mpmcclell]

This is great information. BIF are my favorite subjects and you've given some great information.

[@jan_wegener]

Great to hear! Thanks Mark

[@rubenmontero4813]

Some great tips Jan, looking forward to putting them into practice. Many thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@jan_wegener]

My pleasure!

[@asifalam223]

Hi... You shared very cool techniques in really very simple ways. I'm really applied in coming days 😊 No doubt you're one the finest photographer 👌💐💐💐 Congrats and best of luck for your upcoming future 👏

[@jan_wegener]

Thanks a lot 😊

[@bhavyesh9032]

Great video jan

[@jan_wegener]

Glad you enjoyed it, much appreciated

[@view5558]

The video tips were really cool.

[@jan_wegener]

Glad you think so!

[@chrislake8879]

Well done Jan!

[@jan_wegener]

thank you!

[@RogerFance]

Thanks for these tips Jan. I need to spend more time on trying to get birds in flights. Most of mine are perching and I find it really hard to capture flight but I see a lot of it is in the study and preparation!

[@jan_wegener]

Yes, it absolutely is Roger. I don't actually take that many BIF shots myself, but when I do it's usually in a spot where I know I can get great results

[@dennisk2410]

Perfect Timing. Today i tried several BIF fotos and tommorow i will try it again wirh your technique. Wird best regards from Germany, Dennis

[@jan_wegener]

Super, hoffe du schiesst ein paar tolle Bilder!

[@chrismartin7594]

Great tips. I'm always struggling taking flight shots will put your tips in to practice.

[@jan_wegener]

Thanks Chris, I hope you can get some great shots!

[@parrotnest1]

Thanks for great tips :)

[@jan_wegener]

Happy to help!

[@nightcoder5k]

Great tips. Thanks. I often have to zoom out to see where the bird is, let it focus, then zoom in.

[@jan_wegener]

that's an interesting technique. But as you say, it's definitely easier to track a bit when it's not too big in the viewfinder

[@andrewkeir2282]

A few months ago I sat on the oval at Wattle Park and tried desperately to take photos of swallows in flight. I finally got a few decent shots when I found them perching on a post around the cricket pitch. I look forward to doing that again, with a wider focus spread and faster shutter speed. I love BBF but it makes it difficult when someone else wants to use my camera. Another great video and with my new caravan and approaching retirement I am looking forward to doing some serious travelling and bird photography,

[@jan_wegener]

Yes, these guys can be very tricky. The key, as you noticed, is to find a spot they land or take off from. Sounds great, hopefully all the restrictions will end soon!

[@EricRoseBahamas]

Thanks for the insight. Waving from The Bahamas. :)

[@jan_wegener]

You're welcome. I'd love to have some of your warm weather atm here in cold Melbourne :D

[@chewmintzer5598]

Hi Jan. I am new to your channel. Your video is giving me very real life problem in photography and tips to handle the real situation. Thank you for your very honest knowledge sharing.

[@jan_wegener]

You are so welcome!

[@i_am_x_wild]

Really loving the content on your channel. If definitely going to apply these tips this weekend

[@jan_wegener]

Great to hear!

[@katbasav1]

Great video Jan. I am really struggling to get birds in flight. Let’s see from now on. 👍

[@jan_wegener]

Good luck! It's not the easiest task, but I am sure you can get some

[@wholefoodsvegankitchen]

Thanks so much for your informative videos. I met one of your friends Seetharam on one of my birding trips. Nice person. 👍🏻

[@jan_wegener]

Glad you enjoyed them

[@danielbrehmer4912]

I think your videos are very thoughtful an educative. Thanks so much for them! One issue you might consider elaborate on is to microadjust your lens(es) in order to be able to fully rely on your autofocus. Besides, backbutton autofocus is a "not going back from" -thing. Small input of change in how to handle your gear ... and massive output!

[@jan_wegener]

Thanks Daniel, I have talked about that in my latest video about Autofocus :D By it's definitely a good point and an important one. Glad you like my videos! Thanks for your comment :)

[@chrismorecroft1599]

Hi Jan , I hope you are well , thanks for another great Vid , can you tell me where I can get my hands on one of the lens calibration cards ? Thanks Chris .

[@jan_wegener]

thanks! This one is a Lens Align MK II

[@balu1321]

Thank you very much

[@paton156]

Great video; lots of useful tips; thank you. For me I would prefer the example shots to display a couple of seconds longer;.

[@jan_wegener]

I will keep that in mind. Thank you!

[@fathampeak]

@@jan_wegener Viewers can press the space bar on their keyboard to pause the video and read the tech specs for each photo, I do that and look at the shutter speed and aperture because they are the main things to learn, the iso is auto and depends on light levels on the day and lens is what we have in our bag and already own. GREAT video, I learnt lots, love the swallow and thistle story! Thank you Jan. And a nice guest appearance by Duade Paton!

[@PPMOCRG]

Thank you for this. This is the skill that I need to work on. I appreciate the tips.

[@jan_wegener]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ellyelzinga01]

Great tips, thank you! I tried back button focus again last week after your video, and this time it worked out much better and I think I will stick with it now! :)

[@jan_wegener]

Great to hear! Thanks

[@peterkemp4372]

Thanks for the great advise, still practicing, hope to get some great flight pictures one day, all the best, cheers.

[@jan_wegener]

Best of luck Peter, thank you

[@Zuzzt]

Nice tips

[@jan_wegener]

Thank you!

[@shotbycooper4467]

Great tutorial! Just subscribed to your channel. Now going to try and find you on Instagram. 👍

[@jan_wegener]

Awesome! Thank you! Shouldn't be too hard. Link is in the description, too :D

[@shotbycooper4467]

@@jan_wegener Done! 👍

[@derekgillan7314]

wonderful info, thx

[@jan_wegener]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ThomasThomassen]

How do you work with tripod and gimbal for flight photos? So far I've only hand held - mostly because I tend to walk around most of the time. But there's a few spots I know there's always birds and I've been curious to get a gimbal for my tripod. Not sure exactly what to look for in a gimbal system though.

[@jan_wegener]

it works well, you just have to get used to. If you get a good Gimbal and set it up quite loosely, it won't feel that's different from handholding and you don't have to hold the weight. Obviously, the range of motion is less, but I don't find that too bad.

[@vinikrish]

Great tips Jan... I always try to watch them and predict when they're about to fly... but most of the birds, most of the time, just take off... no signals LOL

[@jan_wegener]

haha, very true! Thanks!

[@Pulsar8205]

Hi Jan, I want to thank you for all your videos. All your videos are explained in detail and clearly. Thanks and pls continue your great job. I need your help to pick my new camera, I am bit confused to pick my new camera, I need your advise before I am purchasing it, I like to have a camera which should be like all rounder. Birds, landscape, macro, low light, long exposure... So pls advise R5 or R6 will suits for this requirement. I am fine to spend but it should be like my destiny one and I don't want to regret later after buying low pixel camera. Pls help me to choose the right one.

[@jan_wegener]

In this moment in time for Canon the answer is R5

[@Pulsar8205]

@@jan_wegener Thanks for your reply, is there any issue like focus lagging in R5, since I read it in cannon rumors but it old news, so want to hear your feel

[@jan_wegener]

@@Pulsar8205 what do you mean by focus lag?

[@v5745]

very good and informative film. my suggestion is to record an annex regarding eye autofocus - imho eye autofocus changed completely how to make this kind of photos.

[@jan_wegener]

yes, might make a new video about it. Although it might be short... press the eye AF button, done :P

[@gayansenarathne1449]

As always it's brilliant. Can you pls tell me your idea about canon 100-400 L mk1.(old one) Focusing problems? ?

[@jan_wegener]

I used in back in the day, it was a fine lens, but not as good as the new version. AF and IQ are a bit behind the current lens, but you will still be able to take nice images with it

[@gayansenarathne1449]

@@jan_wegener thanks a lot.💚

[@ourniche]

superb!

[@jan_wegener]

Thanks a lot!

[@MGrose407]

I noticed you used the 1D Mark IIn in a lot of shots. I use to own that camera, but never used it for birds. Interesting and great photos!

[@jan_wegener]

Yes, it was a lovely camera back in the day

[@sparkly_pixel]

Just learning and hoping to dive into this amazing area of photography as well as other wildlife. Thanks for this really helpful video ☺️☺️

[@jan_wegener]

My pleasure!

[@stilley78]

Hi Jan, I'm enjoying your videos. I'm also in Melbourne. I am wanting to build up my collection of lenses for my APS-C sensor Sony a6000. One of the lenses I want to purchase is a bird/wildlife lens. I've seen the Tamron 150-500 lens that is pretty gigantic, there's a Sigma 100-400 and a Sony G master 70-350 lens. I was hoping to go for the Sigma or even the Sony and wanted to know your thoughts on this choice? Obviously with the 1.5x crop sensor the Sony is about 525mm and the Sigma is 600mm. Is that enough for birding? My primary interest is Parrots and especially Black Cockatoos followed by birds like Wedge-tailed Eagles or wading birds such as Spoonbills. I'd also like to photograph other wildlife as well such as Kangaroos and Lizards just to name a few. What are your thoughts on the 100-400 or 70-350mm lenses for me? Will they suffice, or should I aim to get a 500 or 600mm lens?

[@jan_wegener]

For Sony my choice is the 200-600. What it offers for the price is pretty amazing

[@danielstorch7495]

Hi Jan, thank you for all the helpful videos you make!! But now i have a question. Do you use the cameras default af settings or did you changed af prioritys in the setup? Did you made a certain custom af case for birds in flight?

[@jan_wegener]

I fiddled around with that for a while and now use a setting that works best for me. I will have to check what it actually is. I might make a video about that.

[@danielstorch7495]

@@jan_wegener thank you!! It would be nice to know what settings you are using.

[@jan_wegener]

@@danielstorch7495 My next video will be about this :) Made it today

[@danielstorch7495]

@@jan_wegener WOW, thank you!! I am very curious!

[@willemdekker5714]

Moin Jan, great video again!! Question for birds in flight what stabilising modes on your Canon Lens do you prefer? Thanks!!

[@jan_wegener]

Thanks! I have played around with all modes and stay on Mode 1 as it gives me the best results

[@itaylorm]

Thank you for such great tips. You talked about setting up a perch using foliage around your area on your car antenna. I have also seen you using some things you have obviously brought with you. What do you typically bring with you for perches or is each time something different

[@jan_wegener]

It's usually different and depends what I can find in my yard or a friends yard and what birds I want to photograph

[@jonasfranke1421]

Nice educational video, thanks for that! But I don't understand, why I have to use a shorter shutter speed while using the method where I prefocus on an area than with the method where I follow the bird with the camera. Can anybody explain to me?

[@allpetworld6973]

Hello Jan, I find your videos a great help to amateur photographers like me who have just started learning with a entry level camera with kit lenses. Many Thanks on behalf of all those. I would like to have some tips to get best out of D5600 with 70-300mm kit lens for photographing small birds in the garden and birds in flight.. Loved all your content on first day and subscribed your channel immediately..Love from India.

[@jan_wegener]

with that lens, the best advise I can give you is to get as close as possible. Which is easier said than done of course.

[@jeannebarnes6816]

Thanks so much for this very informative video Jan! I'm going to look for a flock of red-tailed black cockatoos tomorrow which I've been returning to and photographing recently, and your tips will most definitely help me to achieve better images.

[@jan_wegener]

awesome!

[@XperiaVideosCR]

Nice tutorial Jan, only thing is I don't understand how you can shoot your 600 when mounted on a tripod. I prefer to do it hand held.

[@jan_wegener]

Thanks, it;s always tricky, neither is ideal. Handheld gives you more flexibility but tires you out more

[@robd003]

Hey Jan, one tip that I'd add is enabling auto-ISO with a maximum ISO set. After doing this I've had much better exposures since the camera will figure out the ISO instantaneously if the lighting changes.

[@jan_wegener]

I shoot fully manual, but that is a great tip for people using AV or manual with Auto ISO. Thanks!

[@robd003]

@@jan_wegener, shooting manual with auto-ISO has really increased my keeper rate :)

[@ghlocal1]

I love photographing birds in flight! But only by practicing and putting in long hours have I finally gotten good at it.

[@jan_wegener]

Same here! And I think that's true for most things in life. Thanks for your comment

[@petercoleman7232]

What’s your opinion of using shutter priority?

[@jan_wegener]

I personally use only full manual. I guess TV can work alright for birds in flight, but with changing light or backgrounds you are giving your camera still a lot of scope for badly exposed images

[@petercoleman7232]

I went today and went manual with iso on auto. Got nothing to brag about. 😉😂

[@jan_wegener]

@@petercoleman7232 because of the new techniques or the birds not playing ball?

[@petercoleman7232]

Jan Wegener Birds not playing fair😉.

[@petercoleman7232]

I will keep you posted.

[@rickeyhinkle8538]

Morning... on the Canon r5, is it possible to have the view finder stay on with the image you are taking vs. going black each time a photo is taken? Thank you... OBG

[@jan_wegener]

are you referring to the slight blackout when shooting high speed?

[@rickeyhinkle8538]

@@jan_wegener Morning Jan, yes... I am also wanting to learn how to set up teh r5 for video.. do you have a You Tube for that? sorry if I missed it.. Thank you... OBG

[@rickeyhinkle8538]

@@jan_wegener Hi Jan... yes I am...

[@jan_wegener]

@@rickeyhinkle8538 I have done a filming one, but not R5 specific

[@rickeyhinkle8538]

@@jan_wegener Morning from New Mexico Jan... thank you for letting me know, I will go look for it.. lovin the r5 and your guidance is awesome..

[@9451shan]

Very informative explanation, iam struggling with blurred shots of diving kingfishers. Focussing tents to lock on other parts, leaving me with soft eye details of the bird! Will put to use your ctr focus point with multiple surporting points. Even group focus selection is unable to give me that clear shots. Thank you Jan🙏

[@jan_wegener]

I think a lot of people photographing kingfishers pre-focus on a certain area. A lot of camera would struggle to acquire focus on a fast diving kingfisher

[@sayantansanyal2315]

Hi! Jan, now that mirrorless cameras are now part of your arsenal, has the technique changed as to how you shoot birds in flight?

[@jan_wegener]

A little bit, mainly because the AF is so much better now

[@davespencer9658]

Excellent tips, Jan! This is exactly what I'm struggling with right now. I'm using a 6D2 right now but the frame rate is limited to about 6.5 frames/sec. It sounds like it may be time to invest in a new frame. The next time the weather turns nice, I'll try some of the suggestions. Thanks.

[@jan_wegener]

Good Luck Dave! Yes, for BIF the slower frame rate on these bodies is a little limiting and it's the only time I am jealously looking to my peers shooting with a camera that sounds like a machine gun :D And there's not much one can do, because even if you try and time it right, the camera might still fire every time the wing is in a bad position. That's why I am keen to try out a EOS R5 with 12-20 fps.

[@sheltersteve]

Is that Duade Paton at 11:23?

[@jan_wegener]

possible

[@redzone8618]

what about 100-400 for BIF ? i think its a bit slow i mean i managed to get some decent shots but i do struggle quiet a lot

[@jan_wegener]

the RF one?

[@ParveshKumar-kt4oh]

Sir i want to know that at the time of shooting birds , ISO shoud be auto or manually bacsuse birds are moving in light areas or dark areas. Pls gide us .

[@jan_wegener]

I use full manual, because it gives me maximum control. If birds are moving all over the place, auto ISO can help you, but it allows the camera to do some guessing, and potentially wrongly exposing images. However, that might be better as a start, until you can master full manual mode

[@وسامطاهر-ذ2ت]

❤❤

[@jan_wegener]

:)

[@Sofi707_]

0:12 👏👏👏👏

[@jan_wegener]

:) thanks