WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY | When it doesn't go to plan.

Over the past month or so, the numbers of Barn Owls on the wing during daylight hours has been more than I can remember for a long time. However, when it comes to wildlife photography and create KZbin videos, not everything goes to plan as you will see in this short video. I also give you my thoughts on the Manfrotto Pro video head vs the standard gimbal and why I have decided to switch.
** Equipment Links **
Manfrotto Pro Video Head - amzn.to/2U7DLKv
Tragopan V6 Hide - bit.ly/39SBt8F
** Social Media **
Website - simonwantling.co.uk
Instagram - / simonwantlingphotography
Twitter - / simonwphotos
** Music **
epidemicsound.com

[@rubenmontero4813]

Happens often and that’s what makes it so special when it does go to plan

[@SimonWantling]

Indeed it is. Thanks for the comment..

[@findus605]

Wildlife photography is never easy 👍 or predictable, thanks for sharing.

[@ianspicer1529]

Cracking video Simon - nice blend of technique, kit and some gorgeous images at the end. Thanks for sharing.

[@SimonWantling]

Thank you Ian. Glad you enjoyed it. As I said in my video, a lot of people think I just get images every time so was good to show that's not the case 🙂 all the best..

[@ianspicer1529]

Oh, I know it's by no-means easy (I've got hundreds of sub-standard wildlife shots, including my local owls - all just slightly out of focus)......anyone who thinks it is easy should head on out and prove you wrong Simon! I thoroughly enjoy your channel, I just felt that this video in particular was a really super amalgamation of info & aesthetics; well done indeed.

[@carpernick]

Good to see you back on here & telling it like it is. So many people think this wildlife photography game is simple & always goes to plan. The reality of it is that you have to be prepared to fail & enjoy that as well as learn from it, this will make the times that it does all come good so much better. Thanks for sharing & keep them coming 👍👏👏👏

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks Nick. Hope you're ok.

[@craigmaisfield3247]

Nice to see you back out. Great video shame nothing shown but like you say wildlife ain't easy..

[@steves8661]

So much patience needed for this wildlife photography stuff. Recently discovered a Barn Owl near me recently fingers crossed I can get some decent shots of it

[@airsoft69]

Good to see you back on KZbin Simon. I thought you'd got lost in the under growth . shame about the owls not turning up but that's life .that's a great hide your using .

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks Dale. It's been a busy few weeks plus with the terrible news at the moment I lost my mojo a bit. Good to record a new video but typical that the owls didn't show on the day I recorded it. That's the way it goes though.. all the best..

[@tedshillitto6062]

Thanks for the vid Simon..I think we've all had our shares of No Shows...a part of wildlife.. the apprehension is what keeps us going back..Take care Thank you .

[@AndyNoblePhotography]

Great to see you back Simon. Loved the video & your perseverance in your field. Win some & lose some 😃👍🏻 Keep yourself & family safe too. All the best

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks Andy. Been very busy and with all the negative news it sometimes knocks your enthusiasm. Keep safe also. 👍

[@robertlawrence7958]

I've used video heads for stills for many years and love it, especially for birds in flight. I have a very old version from manfrotto, still going strong after many many years of use and abuse. It recently lost the the tensioning screw and so I treated myself to a new version which is even better although my fingers are still transitioning from the old one and so I'm not yet on auto mode when it comes to adjusting. I have also bought a slightly smaller Benro video head which is also pretty good and is set up on a hide bracket. Good video, that's the way it is with wildlife.

[@Ashley-rj8up]

Great video Simon. I have been having some trouble with wildlife too not showing up. But as you say it's part of the parcel.

[@CamillaI]

Great to see you out and about and amongst the Barn Owls. I am finding it hard to film birds in flight with the gimbal so i was interested in your solution for video thanks for sharing

[@SimonWantling]

No problem. I've been very impressed so glad it helped.

[@chrismartin7594]

Lovely vid. Well that's wildlife lol I have Simon's hide .

[@stevecolwill9761]

That’s the way it goes sometimes! Still, great content again, Simon, and better luck next time. 👍🏻

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks Steve.

[@JPLamoureuxsTravels]

Nice vlog buddy 👌 gotta love a barny 😊 have a new subscriber from a new KZbinr 👍

[@SimonWantling]

Great. Thanks for subscribing and glad you liked it.

[@JPLamoureuxsTravels]

Simon Wantling cheers buddy 😉👍

[@ryanackland9330]

Fantastic photos of the Owls at the end of the video Simon, well worth waiting for. It is frustrating when you spend time waiting for something to happen, and then nothing! I think that is the love of Wildlife Photography, you never know what is going to happen, when, or even if. Every time is different from the last and that is what keeps me at it. Sat in fields in my hide, or hidden in bushes waiting for that deer you have seen at the same time everyday, only this time you have waited and prepared and it doesn't show up. I have a herd of about 16 roe deer that roam the fields where i live. I haven't seen since last year, and then they turned up last Tuesday evening just i was on my way out without my camera! All the best and i am looking forward to your next video where i am sure you will have much better success. Could you let me know where you got your neoprene camera cover from, i am assuming its the Lenscoat one, but cant seem to get one anywhere.

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks Ryan, yes that the way it goes. It was just typical that on the day I recorded the video it didn't show. The lenscoat for my 600mm lens is this one www.wexphotovideo.com/lenscoat-for-canon-600mm-f4-l-is-ii-realtree-advantage-max4-hd-1532909/

[@naturephotography3594]

Thanks for the vid. Has you say it is wildlife photography and anything can happen. Next time.

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks. Glad you liked it despite the no show from the owl.

[@richardmoult9781]

Isn't it wonderful we have wildlife to keep us sane in these challenging times ! Not a criticism , just an observation but you may just be over doing the gear plugging ? Stay Safe and keep the videos coming Rich.

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks Rich. Yes it does help to keep you sane. I thought the same when I looked back at the video. Mentioned the hide a few times but what's done is done. Trouble is I forget what I've said before so repeat myself 😉 might be the age...

[@richardmoult9781]

@@SimonWantling Looking for a hide myself at the moment to photograph my garden foxes dithering between one of these and a Simon king , is it possible to shoot at a low angle in the Tragopan without lying done ? Keep up the great work Rich.

[@knutfugl]

Anyway, interesting to see what equipment you use. Until next time.

[@rockyford3]

I’m going out tomorrow to hopefully capture coyotes.. or anything that come across my lens.. cheers mate great videos

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks and good luck 👍

[@AndyGustavsson]

Great video even thou you didn´t manage to get to see the owl, but you got out and that´s the most important I think! I see more and more are starting to use the movie head as their to go tripod head, is it that good compared to a gimbal or is it just easier to use in todays vlogging world? Cheers Simon, good to see you back, stay safe!

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks Andy. Hope you're ok. I really like the video head. As I mentioned, with the big lenses and heavy pro body balancing is not as easy but it's easy to live with. I really like it plus it's shed a lot of weight off the setup. The only annoying thing with the video head I was using is the lens plate is not Arca Swiss but Manfrottos own so if you wanted to switch between gimbal and video the you'd have to change the plates but I have heard of a fix.

[@AndyGustavsson]

@@SimonWantling I'm fine, thanks. it has just started here in sweden but I work outdoors and alone for the most part.. I heard, it seems like a good option especially for us that do video too, the thing I was thinking of how does it work with tracking subject for stills, do it have the same mobility as a gimbal or in my case ballhead. hope you find a solution to the plate!

[@clivewelch1025]

Hi Simon like you say doesn't always go to plan but a nice video all the same . Until next time take care my friend.

[@SimonWantling]

Thank you Clive and you too.

[@fototyz]

Yeah, that’s the way it goes..... I seem to remember saying in your competition vlog that it was the unpredictability of wildlife that keeps me at it.... sorry maybe I put the Kybosh on you... 😬🥴😬

[@SimonWantling]

😃😠

[@mijiyoon5575]

Is this a former golf course...looks too wild to be an operating course...or did you say you walked across it? Nice as always...TY Simon

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks. No this is a private golf course very much in use and well looked after.

[@mijiyoon5575]

@@SimonWantling Ah, I see...TY

[@andrewyeates7717]

Where can you get the black thin cover you have over the camera body when you were setting up?

[@SimonWantling]

www.wexphotovideo.com/lenscoat-bodyguard-pro-black-1032396/

[@jfphotography69]

I never use a gimbal for BIF, all my BIF shots are hand held.

[@SimonWantling]

Thanks. Although you can hand hold the 600mm it does get a bit heavy after a while so easier on the tripod.

[@jfphotography69]

@@SimonWantling I shoot with a Sigma 500mm prime and a Nikon 200-500mm, no issues with the prime, don't need a 600mm, I just get closer to the subject, I also don't use teleconverters.

[@rodbotic]

I thought you were going to say you broke something. ironically my 500mm stopped working today. :(

[@SimonWantling]

Oh no. That's not good. Hope you get it sorted.

[@rodbotic]

@@SimonWantling I tore it apart and quickly found the problem. it was intermittently communicating with the body. I could usually fix it by adjusting the height of the pins at the back of the lens. but this time it wasn't. When I dived a little further into the lens, I found the cable that attaches to the pins is torn. hopefully sigma will sell me a replacement Flex Flat Cable. or I will have to solder some jumpers.

[@TheEastbelfast]

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