The Ultimate Bird Photography Show: GEAR, THRILLS, PHOTOS, EDITING HACKS & Viewer Critiques

[@christophercarlimages9003]

I will say it again..by far this is the best half hour any bird photographer can spend on social media. Entertaining and informative. Tremendous imagery as well! Kudos!

[@jan_wegener]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@pegrunyan9506]

Love the editing tip of the week segment! I suggest you call it digital darkroom.

[@jan_wegener]

Thanks for the idea!

[@dfordeimages4919]

Loved both your favorite photos of the year. But flared hummingbird tail was amazing. How about “quick fix” of the week?

[@allisongraham7003]

Really enjoyed this thank you, I suggest ‘The Ultimate Tweak’

[@dellbrodd8487]

Another great Bird Photography Show. THANKS!! Guys should call the edit of the week SEDIT OF THE WEEK! (Secret Edit of the Week) That way anyone that sees it will have to watch the Show to find out what it is. And, from then on will be hooked on the Bird Photography Show and will never miss an episode like i never do. Thanks again. Wonderful job!!!

[@jan_wegener]

Great idea!

[@ikbenleon]

Something I'd would love to see for the editing tips is the workflow you go through. I find that it takes me relatively long to sift through all photos to identify the keepers even before I start editing. So I'm curious 1) which programs you use in which order, what you use them for and which filetypes you save them to 2) How you structure your folders and filenames, filetypes. 3) What do you keep in the end (Raw, jpeg)

[@GazFoto]

Thanks Jan & Glenn for another photo of the week, really pleased and find the feedback so interesting...😍

[@jan_wegener]

Our pleasure!

[@CarlLoop]

Great video you guys! Hey Jan, Glenn... when you go out on a photo adventure for days or weeks, what is your overlanding rig? Truck? Truck with Caravan? SUV? Car and tent? What is your overlanding vehicle solution? Please discuss

[@jan_wegener]

My planned new solution will be a new landcruiser 300series. In terms of sleeping I find it difficult. If I am by myself a rooftop tent is quite good, but I cannot take it when I am travelling with family, because then I can’t leave in the morning without everyone waking up So then we either stay in accommodation or a swag. We had camper trailers before but I find them annoying. Either wise I often travel with my mate in his Dmax with a slide on camper top on it, which is pretty cool

[@CarlLoop]

@@jan_wegener Thank you for the reply. Would love to see a video on what you come up with. I’m right in the middle of trying to figure it out. Car camp in 4Runner, LandCruiser or Highlander (obviously limited to gentle trails, but has other advantages); truck and insert or topper variations; or van or motorhome rv. Don’t want a camper trailer, my girl says no to rooftop tent. Look forward to what seeing what you go with!🙂

[@terrysmith810]

Another great show men. Glenn, glad you mentioned an R7II, I have felt they are missing the boat per say by not producing a higher quality crop sensor much like the 7DMKII. I will be getting the 200-800, Jan and Duade have convinced me.

[@gailbisson7565]

Will there be a Glenn Bartley photo trip to Argentina in the future? I think my new favorite "gotta see "bird is that rufous chested dipper!

[@stephanedurand1447]

My best time of the year was the picture of mine you selected in photo of the week.... Once again thanks a lot

[@jan_wegener]

Our pleasure

[@jacobgarvelink2441]

Pure gold, so good... Thanks!

[@jan_wegener]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@andrewkeir2282]

I love the editing tip of the week, I dont care what you call it. Maybe George...

[@jan_wegener]

Haha 😄

[@philgrobler350]

Fantastic show Guys. I find your comments on the fotos helpful and would like to see some actual editing actions! Tweak of the Week sounds a good name!

[@colinhutchison7834]

Photo fix for the editing tips? Another great show, thanks guys!

[@jan_wegener]

Thank you

[@GlennBartley]

That's a good idea

[@alankefauver6187]

The OMS MZ 150-400 f/4.5 +tc goes from FFE 300-800 with a fixed f/4.5 aperture.

[@gimaru1]

I think that’s more like F11 aperture in 35mm full frame.

[@alankefauver6187]

@@gimaru1 Only in depth of field, not in light gathering

[@nerrelloader4226]

Thank you for an informative video, as always. As a hobbyist & limited cash flow, the 200-800 sounds like it's a good fit for my bird photography. I appreciate all the work Jan put in to provide us all with information for us to make an informed decision on whether to buy or not. I will hold back though until year end with the Black Friday sales. Great choices in your Photo of the Week segment and recommended editing for them. Happy New Year to you both. Cheers :)

[@jdjohnston1960]

Jan... I can identify with the excitement you had on your most productive trip. I've had a trip like that where every decision I made seemed to work out. It was crazy! I still smile when I think about it. All the other trips over 40 years.... not so much.... but I'll always have that one. :)

[@levelupfilming2791]

Birds of a feather weekly tip

[@leonardovalverde3586]

I can’t even express how much I enjoy watching this show! Thanks for sharing this masterpiece with the rest of the world!❤

[@jan_wegener]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@drone-360-videos]

Hi Jan & Glenn, great video and useful information as always. Maybe you could call your tip of the week "Protips".

[@jan_wegener]

Thanks for the tip!

[@KurtisPape]

Great ep. I just checked out the photos from Glenns Argentina trip and amazing the quantity of photos is incredible, also the fact they are all quality as well!

[@normangrafaviationphotogra4548]

How do you transport your 600mm primes and tripods when you travel by air? The Canon hardcase, or even something like the Thinktank Photo Glass limo would qualify as a piece of luggage just by itself.

[@jan_wegener]

I usually put them in a backpack and sometimes a camera body in the suitcase

[@wpohley]

Your discussion of the Canon 200-800 vs the 600 f4 really hit home because I have the 200-800 and the ef 600 f/4 II. I find the 600 II a little heavy for me to handhold and for international travel I don't want to take both. I do have the 100-500. If I wanted to spend the money I would move to the RF or EF III 600. I love the weight and flexibility of the 200-800 but the aperture is a problem. Decisions, decisions. 🙂

[@jan_wegener]

Yes it’s tricky, that’s why I kept all 🙈😆

[@hstein27]

I have all those three lenses and agree with your points. For the past few weeks, r5 and 200-800 have been my go to kit. Every time I wanted to bust out the 600mm in the afternoon, the weather turned and I had to stop photography for the day.

[@cathco9]

I can't recall if you and Glenn ever told us how you met and what made you guys decide to collaborate. Perhaps in a future episode, you two could tell us. Another great Photo Show. I always enjoy these. Thank you for the image editing tip. I really need this.

[@jan_wegener]

I think we did in the very first episode, but maybe could do a refresh

[@cathco9]

@jan_wegener A refresh would be great, especially for newer subscribers.

[@sueellen7]

Thanks

[@jan_wegener]

Thank you!

[@davepastern]

Great digital tips! I already use the alt trick to establish a good dynamic range without blowing highlights and shadows. I've started using masks in Photoshop 2024 a lot more in the past few months, including for correcting colour casts and highlights/shadows that need selective adjustment. I've had so many great birding things happen in 2023, I'm grateful for all of them. Probably getting some shots of an Azure Kingfisher (my bogey bird) is my personal highlight. Not as close as I'd like, but you learn to take what nature offers you. Post processing wise? Moving from LR v5/Photoshop CS6 to LR classic and Photoshop 2023/4 and learning how to use masks in both applications. My images are nowhere near your images, but I feel that I have personally improved in my processing workflow. Canon needs a high quality pro orientated wildlife R7II (think R3 body/LCD/|EVF, QPAF, BSI stacked 28mp sensor, extended buffer, dual CFExpress B cards). I'd probably sell my R3 for such a beast if it's good to ISO 12800 and still pretty clean. None of the MLCs manufacturers are producing quality APS-C cameras imho - they're all half hearted. 28mp APS-C is still equivalent to ~72mp FF. More than enough. Could probably drop the mp to 24mp for improved high ISO performance, something that is important to wildlife photographers. I reckon such a camera would sell like hotcakes. Suggestions for the new segment - EPT (Editing Pro Tips).

[@RockPolitics]

Thank you, Glenn for your comment about the red-tailed comet - you said that you couldn't have gotten that shot all those years ago with a 7D. I hear comments all the time that technology doesn't matter, if you know how to take photographs. I guess, technically, you might have gotten one of those shots of the comet with its tail flaired. But it would have been sheer luck. And, technically, technology doesn't take the place of hard work and knowledge. But it does up our odds of getting the shot we're after. Hearing someone like you say that the newer technology was a difference-maker helps the whole community. But even beyond that, there really are shots that aren't possible with older technology, no matter what anyone says. You might get A shot... but not the same shot. Because some combinations of shutter speed and aperture just can't be used on older cameras, and the dynamic range isn't there for post processing. Not to mention that the noise from higher ISOs just couldn't be tolerated. Technology may not make us better photographers, but it can help us be as good as our knowledge allows us to be. That's a big thing.

[@jan_wegener]

The ability to use much higher ISO, combined with much better AF allows for a lot more images consistently that were very hard to get and as you say pure luck before

[@SreejithRc]

editing tip name - " one for the road"

[@harishmenon4680]

Has always been a show to look forward for, Best show for birders, Also the editing tip can be called Trick Tip of the week or Fotofix of the week :)

[@heidiwegener7614]

Such a good show again coloured by passion the two of you radiate so much

[@unclebuck5957]

Photo Enhancement tip of the week

[@BurcinPoy]

Editing Treasures

[@louisakelland5750]

I always enjoy this show. Appreciate you for sharing your fantastic tips, experiences and critiques. The addition of a weekly editing tip segment is an outstanding ideas. Some name suggestions: Edit Mastery Tips, Edit Enlightenment Tips, Weekly Elevate Your Edits, Photo Polish Weekly.

[@jan_wegener]

Thanks for sharing!

[@garyknight3019]

I struggle with masking would be good to see you guys cover this at some point

[@stevepersighetti3400]

👍Especially avoiding halos.

[@TheXone7]

I think Canon is missing 200-600mm, similar to Sony. I am using the 200-400mm 1.4x with additional 1.4x extender basically constantly. So it's basically 280-560mm and if needed I use internal extender to reach up to 784mm. But it is so heavy compared to let's say Sony 200-600 or this 200-800 RF. The question is if the 200-400 is really worth it with f5.6 at 280-560mm and F8 at 784mm. I will have to try the 200-800 :)

[@clausborner1705]

Again, that episode is real class and quality !

[@jan_wegener]

Glad you liked it

[@frankfurter7260]

You guys both take superb photos.

[@divercraig65]

I need one of Glenn's caps! :) Great video once again guys!

[@charliejones2884]

I loved this episode and the new editing tips! I’m terrible at naming things so how about Master Blasters? On a side note, I consider myself an intermediate+ Lightroom Classic editor (but am always learning something new). But I’m at the beginner level in Photoshop and can only do simple things like focus stacking. One of my new year resolutions is to learn enough about how to edit in Photoshop to be able to even consider using your prosets and the Master Class. So if you have any ideas on how to assist us Photoshop newbies, I will be very grateful.

[@jan_wegener]

I am thinking about doing a PS beginner class

[@JokieNadieD3]

Great video once again guys ! When it comes to re-naming the editing tip section, what about "from take to make" because we often take the picture in the field and make/adjust it during post-processing. Take care and keep up the good work !

[@jan_wegener]

Great suggestion!

[@GlennBartley]

Yup that's a good idea

[@Jimboshep]

Editing tip segment “PPP post processing pointers” Another great show

[@Parroting_Australia234]

Another awesome video, I'm learning heaps of techniques from you and Glenn. A good place if you want to see palm cockatoos is Quintell Beach, where they frequently come to the ground, and you can get pretty close. But if you want to get them doing their amazing drumming display, iron range is better. But knowing you you'll probably find a great secret spot that nobody knows about!

[@jan_wegener]

I wish! Appreciate any help I can get

[@igorrutsch]

Hi Jan 😯how spectacular are theses actions shots ! ( 1:55 ) !!! 280 to 1120, such a crazy reach and range !

[@jan_wegener]

Yes it’s been pretty cool!

[@gautambiswas7338]

I currently own a Leica SL2 and would love to do bird photography. Now with the availability of Sigma150-600mm and announced 500mm f6.3 lens, wondering if it can work even though the autofocus system is nothing like the one in Canon.

[@jan_wegener]

I am sure you can get some images, but as you say, a more limited Af can definitely be a challenge

[@j4kke046]

Wonderfully put together video guys! Tip of the week was already very helpful to me, keep those videos coming 😃

[@jan_wegener]

Thank you! Will do!

[@partypinoy]

Awesome show. Really appreciate all of the time effort and passion that you guys put into it. Btw how do we submit a photo for the photo of the week. I couldn’t find the process online. Thanks

[@jan_wegener]

Tag it #birdphotoshow in Insta

[@SylvainBourmache]

What about about: The Editip !

[@normangrafaviationphotogra4548]

I'd be interested in hearing how the two of you do your primary culling. You clearly can't process tens of thousands of photos, so how do you reduce that number to the several hundred (or so) that you do process?

[@jan_wegener]

I use photomechanic and battle through them

[@BPaparazzi]

"Post tip of the week" 🙂👍

[@RVNmedic]

Please ignore my last post. Got it figured out. Thanks again

[@VABrowneMDPhD]

Happy new year! Thank you for another really excellent discussion and amazing images! I really like the idea of a photo editing tip being added to the format. Glenn, I would love to go on one of your trips! Jan do you lead workshops in Australia?

[@jan_wegener]

Maybe you could get both of us in 2025 😉

[@ekehengeveld3895]

How does tweak of the week Sound to you?

[@rayspencer5025]

I love my 300-800mm f5.6 "Sigzilla", but it is crazy heavy and ungainly to carry. Definitely not a walk-around lens. I really like the Canon 800mm f11 because itis so light and easy to carry. But finding a subject at ~25X can be a pain and that f11 need very bright light.Using the Signa 150-600mm sport with a 1.4 converter works well, but is still quite heavy The Canon 200-800 f9 promises to be a good compromise.

[@jasonatkinson2542]

Love the editing tip of the week, suggestion is to rename it Tips and Tricks

[@jan_wegener]

Thanks for the idea!

[@yogeshpuranik80]

Superb...happy new year to both of you..pls have this session every week..

[@jan_wegener]

Glad you are enjoying the shows

[@stevepersighetti3400]

Happy New Year.! Another great video thank you. Is there any chance we can we have an update on what computers you guys are using please. I'm just back from a month in Sri Lanka and have many, many photos needing noise reduction. My 5-year old i9-9900K CPU @ 3.60GHz PC is really struggling whether with Topaz, Dx0 or LR. Many thanks.

[@jan_wegener]

I basically almost only use a MacBook Pro now

[@stevepersighetti3400]

@@jan_wegener 👍 Many thanks.

[@gary_michael_flanagan_wildlife]

Wow, those parrot babies was amazing!! What a perfect background. It’s almost as if “Birds aren’t real” and Hollywood set up those birds for you with the perfect angle lol jk. Awesome!!

[@jan_wegener]

Yes it’s nice when things work out that way

[@digvijaychaugle174]

Yet another fantastic episode guys! Thank you! 😊

[@jan_wegener]

Our pleasure!

[@kennetht66]

Love this show!!!

[@jan_wegener]

Awesome

[@DaKasten]

Great Video! Thank you 🙌

[@jan_wegener]

Glad you liked it!

[@colintraveller]

With the numerous reviews i've seen about the 200-800 . I have the view that the lense works best on Ffc than Crop sensor camera due to the less complaints when used with the R5 than the R7 . I guess they have overlooked or unwilling to say in order to attract views etc . Also there is a video which an R3 user said his lense came off the camera when out using it ...

[@jan_wegener]

I tried it on my R3 after someone shared that video and it does not come off. That guy likely has a faulty camera. I used the 200-800 on the R7 and it’s good but more inconsistent. What we cannot forget is that you are getting crazy focal length with the R7, so you need to use high enough shutter speeds etc as well. And then you end up with abit noisier images. Shooting at 1280mm requires better technique than shooting at 500 or even 800 The main thing I found like whenever I use the R7 is the AF causing more out of focus images than other canon bodies, so I usually gravitate towards the R5

[@danielmaior8025]

hey guys! love the show and been watching all episodes for the past few months! Keep at it! in the segment photo of the week i noticed something that i really wish you would change. We all contribute by using the tag to get picked and always watch, like and subscribe to your channels. However all the chosen photos never has a like from you guys. The heart is always empty and not red ;) hopefully thats something you would consider doing in the future. keep up the good work!

[@jan_wegener]

It’s a fair point. I usually like it after the screenshot tho

[@axel6405j]

Yay Jan

[@jrnmiranda1]

👁📷 amazing photos 👌👏👏👏

[@jan_wegener]

Many thanks

[@tysonator5433]

The humming birds look amazing, and I wonder could you get the same images with 7Dii ! ?

[@jan_wegener]

The AF would be the biggest challenge along with the frame rate

[@mahesh8106]

Happy New Year To You Both And Have you got any videos which I can see & learn the flying bird photography plz (what shutter speed/f number/what iso to use ?

[@jan_wegener]

Yes we made two episodes on that topic kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWe3lmBugLqcncksi=OaYPYhQ1FpBSOo3C

[@stevesharkey3312]

I cannot find how to submit a photo for comment and have a couple I'd really like feedback on.

[@jan_wegener]

We usually pick from the images tagged #birdphotoshow on Insta

[@robertbrown6060]

Jan, this might sound a daft question. But I’m assuming you are using your R5. Given the sheer volume of images you take, what’s the likelihood of actually wearing the camera out within, say, a couple of years?

[@jan_wegener]

Since I use the electronic shutter most of the times it’s pretty low, since nothing moves when taking images. So it basically doesn’t count. If I used mechanical it may be broken already.

[@alankefauver6187]

How about a deal on the brush pac for those of us who already own the Prosets? :)

[@jan_wegener]

Check your emails. We send out a deal to everyone when we launched

[@alankefauver6187]

@@jan_wegener must have missed it. checked my spam/junk/deleted folders, no joy

[@chrisluck78]

@@alankefauver6187 Mine was dated 9/22/23. Another one received 9/27/23 did not offer the discount. Maybe check around the 1st date above.

[@thescouser8629]

“Tweak of the week”

[@RVNmedic]

Great episode. Thanks. Problem. I'm not a PS user but I installed it to import the Preset and Brush package I just purchased. I tried followng the installation procedure but I'm unable to install them. PS won't allow me to select the files. Help!

[@jan_wegener]

Did you watch the video guides that come with it? There we show you how to install them. Otherwise you can send me an email

[@RVNmedic]

Thanks for your reply. I got it figured out. I ws looking in the wrong place.@@jan_wegener

[@scottlast2851]

Hi Jan Wagener do u guys use flicker????? i don't use Instagram but i would love to show you guys my work i do!!!! is there any other way i can show you guys my photos???? I do wildlife as well and i would love to show you guys and the world my photo!!!

[@jan_wegener]

I have never used it, Glenn might

[@Just_because998]

How about calling the editing tip of the week - tips and tricks.

[@rickderevan8026]

How about, "fixing your photo"?

[@kaib718]

Call it: tipED 😂 greetings from Denmark

[@jan_wegener]

Hehe

[@garymeredith2441]

When you guys have your photo of the week why don't you talk about the equipment that the photographer used to get that photo instead of so much of the photo editing which some of us like myself do not do and I will not do I like to catch nature as it happens and to leave it alone , what I want to know is what equipment is used to get those photos .

[@gary_michael_flanagan_wildlife]

You don’t edit your photos at all? Interesting. I appreciate the raw approach (no pun intended) but you are missing out on letting your photos pop. Are you shooting just to be out in nature and enjoy the moment? Without concern for the finished product? Purely curious, no disrespect. These guys usually shoot with the RF 600mm f4 lens with extenders. I think Glen is still adapting his 600mm II lens to the RF Mount (which is what I’m using.) it’s a wonderful lens, and actually a wee bit sharper than the new RF 600mm but the heavier weight is a killer for your rotator cuff sometimes. It must mostly be used on a tripod but i handhold short periods mostly without extenders because framing songbirds in flight is tough for me at 840mm personally if I’m too close. What lens do you use? They also more recently use the zooms such as 100-500L and 200-800L. If you look carefully you can see key differences that show which lens was used. Especially depth of field. They may use other lenses from time to time as well as mostly the RF cameras. Equipment is only about half of it. I have seen the best lenses produce terrible shots. It’s like weightlifting, you get better the more you go out and shoot and practice technique.

[@garymeredith2441]

@@gary_michael_flanagan_wildlife Michael let me just put it to you this way there are people that don't believe in editing , like me I shoot auto exposure bracketing I am not a raw shooter because of the calendar company that I submit to they do not accept any raw images . That is how I shoot and the reason I put in the comments about Glenn and Jan the way they are pushing the photo editing I simply don't like it , I would only rather hear about the equipment that the other photographers submit for their photos of the week and that's the only point I was trying to get across so take it however you want . Michael I am a birder first and whenever I can get photos , good ones especially I will take my photos .

[@jan_wegener]

We will do a bit more of that, too but editing plays a big role to get the most out of the photos for us. The biggest issue with showing all the data is that you have to leave each photo mich longer on the screen so people can read it, which sometimes works and other times doesn’t work as well. But we can add more

[@sueellen7]

Thanks

[@jan_wegener]

Thank you!