Turbocharge Your Wildlife Photography!! Avoid My Mistakes!!

[@trevormatthews6005]

The biggest mistake I see in any hobby not just photography is believing money can improve results without learning any basic knowledge it doesn't matter how good your gear is if you don't know how to use it your results will be poor

[@jyoung4930]

Thanks for making this Duade. I'd also like to say I really appreciate you showing the final image, and the raw you started from with the image overlaid onto the raw. It's very helpful to me as a beginner to see what material you're starting with and where you can take it. Doing that must add some production time to your videos, so I just wanted to say that touch is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[@Duade]

Thanks for the feedback, it does add time for sure but as you say very helpful for people to see how the image was created from the RAW file. Cheers, Duade

[@nallontrails]

Totally ... That's Duade signature style

[@DanBetty]

All so true .. It's a really big mistake to miss any Duade Paton videos :)

[@Duade]

Thanks Dan, made me laugh, thanks for the support, Cheers, Duade

[@nordic5490]

Top notch advice, thanks for sharing. With the current 2022 generation of cameras, dont be afraid of shooting iso 6400 and 12800. You must keep your shtter speed high enough to stop motion blur - this cannot be fixed in post. Even if your skills arnt there yet to denoise those high iso shots now, they will be one day. Come back to that once in a lifetime shot later, and denoise when your skills improve.

[@Duade]

Thanks Nor Dic, very true, SS is very important to master, Cheers, Duade

[@mrsbilko]

One of my most frequent mistakes is not viewing the shots I’ve taken often enough and because of that I don’t change my settings. Also not culling my shots which leads to tedious processing each one in Lightroom. Even when syncing settings I tend to get scunnered because of wasted time on poor shots. Biggest thing I like on your videos is the before raw and finished image. Great work you do and sharing information. Keep it up.

[@Duade]

Thanks Colin, great to hear you are finding the videos helpful, yes processing can be a struggle. I will go through my images in an image viewer and rate the images first from 1 star to 5 stars. I then delete all the images that do not have a rating. Try Faststone Image Viewer to do this. Cheers, Duade

[@mdc123-v2v]

Use the custom settings dial to quickly switch from BIF mode to stationary. You don't want to be stressing about your settings when out in the field. Use auto min/max on your ISO to allow the camera to do the heavy lifting while you worry about shutter speed.

[@r2hildur]

All of these tips are spot on. I think some go straight for the expensive gear (because they can afford it) and then wonder why their photos doesn't look like the photos they've seen from professional or serious amateurs. Learn the basics first, then see if you really are interested or if it's just an infatuation with the idea of photography. Getting up at 4pm in the morning to get the golden hour light isn't for everyone ☺️

[@Duade]

Thanks Daniel, totally agree, thanks for sharing you thoughts, Cheers, Duade

[@unclejoe3397]

Thanks for being humble enough to admit your mistakes. I'm just beginning and some days I run into problem after problem, but I am learning slowly but surely. And I tell myself that at least I got good exercise lol. You are an expert but have a gift of explaining in a way anyone can understand. Thanks!

[@Duade]

Thanks Joe, I appreciate the feedback and glad to hear you are enjoying your photography. Cheers, Duade

[@kolapyellow7631]

Like the background behind the pink Robin. It just melted.

[@Duade]

Thanks Kolap, yes, that was a great session, Cheers, Duade

[@EricWoodyVariety59]

ive made many mistakes over the fourty years of photography. im still learning and improving every year. learning never ends.

[@Duade]

Thanks Eric, I am the same, sometimes I wish I didn't have to learn the same lesson multiple times :-) Cheers, Duade

[@assortedwhatnot3282]

The dang UV filter. I’d have never thought of that being the issue and causing those lines. You are a champion, thanks for sharing

[@Duade]

My pleasure, Cheers, Duade

[@marksuchomelsr6698]

Duade, on the subject of UV filters. I bought the Canon RF 800 f11 and put an UV filter on it. My images were terrible until I realized that the problem was the filter. I took it off and the improvement was like night and day. It was amazing. That was the first time I have ever experienced that problem in 40 years. I attributed it to the DO glass and the UV filter combination.

[@Duade]

Thanks Mark, yes, could be, I had the same issue years ago and have not used them since, I am sure some are fine but after that experience it made me a bit nervous. Cheers, Duade

[@cesarm8811]

Duade, thanks for the tips. I currently not a wildlife photographer. I am hobbyist photographer that does most of my photography while travelling, and family gatherings. I like to get into wildlife photographer, but for different reason (need a long lens, my other hobbies (golf) take time away from photography, etc.)I haven't pull trigger. Your channel is a great place to learn.

[@Duade]

Thanks Cesar, I appreciate the ongoing support, Cheers, Duade

[@rodeodownunder]

Not shooting in raw from the start!! Putting my birdbath and the branch the birds sit on in the wrong place where the lighting is very rarely right!

[@lr4687]

I love the humility, sincerity, and enthusiasm of your presentations - not to mention the great beauty of so many of the birs photos that you share with us! Thank you, Larry Russ

[@Duade]

Wow, thank you!

[@denisesavage2382]

Thanks for sharing that Duade - interning how having watched your videos for a little while played into some of my thinking as I spotted a little blue wren the other day. I’ve no idea how I went with it - haven’t uploaded the images yet. But I made use of the continuous auto focus and a bit of burst shooting . . . . .I’ve been trying to get a something of those birds for years, and have just never succeeded. I also thought to get down low . . .. . A very beginner effort! But proud of the thought processes.

[@Duade]

That is great to hear Denise, yes, it can be very tricky for sure, good luck with it and it sounds like you are having fun which is the most important thing. Cheers, Duade

[@rogermaioli]

One tip I never got despite watching so many video tutorials is to turn off the silent shutter option on mirrorless cameras when shooting birds in flight (or anything in quick motion). I didn't know that switching to a mechanical (rather than electronic) shutter mode would eliminate rolling shutter. Unless you're shooting on highly expensive cameras with stacked sensors, that makes a big difference for capturing the bird without shape distortion.

[@Duade]

Thanks Roger, great tip and yes very true, mechanical will have a lot less rolling shutter. Cheers, Duade

[@nikoonikoo]

One more tip for myself, get a Gary the galah to practice in backyard before heading out to the field ;) Thanks again for the great educational video :)

[@Duade]

Lol, yes, who doesn't need a toy Galah for the backyard Cheers, Duade

[@atulya98]

Literally noone on KZbin explains wildlife photography and compares cameras the way he does !! Love watching your videos! Keep making such really good videos for us!! Good luck, sir!!

[@Duade]

Thank you, you are too kind, Cheers, Duade

[@milkjugs4771]

I love those shots with the background in shadow, where it almost looks like the bird is in a studio - absolutely beautiful. I would love to get a shot like that some day

[@TJackSurvival]

I’ve been watching videos for days on this topic. This is by far the best explanation of this topic I’ve ever seen. Thank you

[@Duade]

Thanks for the feedback, I am happy to hear the video helped, Cheers, Duade

[@Hummingbirder1]

28:07 I'm glad to see Gary the Galah get to move around some, and not being glued to his usual stone!

[@Duade]

Lol, yes, he got to perch on an actual plant this time :-)

[@gabeclements1240]

On my first time out trying bird photography, I laid down in some goose sh*t to get a shot. So, I learned not to wear nice clothes on a shoot. Thanks for the great info!

[@jamesterrance]

I've never made a mistake photographing birds ... of course my lens doesn't get here until next week. I'm looking forward to the adventure. Thanks for all the tips!

[@Duade]

Thanks James, have fun learning and experimenting with your new lens, Cheers, Duade

[@aidanyy3176]

No one on KZbin does it as good as you! Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom with us, I really do appreciate it greatly.

[@Duade]

Thanks Aidanyy, you are too kind, I appreciate it, Cheers, Duade

[@quazisanjeed6395]

Thank you for the video. Yes, I did suffer from the UV filter mounted on the front element of my lovely EF 400mm f/5.6L USM. My son was a pro wedding photographer and he advised me to take it off about four years ago. Things changed for the better since then. He’s into film-making now. I’m a hobbyist and never felt the need for the latest gears. However, bought a used 1D Mark IV for wildlife photography two years ago due to its incredible features that suit my needs perfectly. I don't need to replace it in the next ten years or as long as it lasts because, it had only 42k shutter actuations when bought from B&H in Nov21. I also try to mount my heavy system (1DIV+EF 300 2.8L IS II+2x III) on a tripod or monopod while shooting static birds. However, my old darling EF 400mm f/5.6L is used with a 7D for flight shots always hand-held. On ISO, I don’t really care as long as the system is capable to capture the shot. Noisy image is better than nothing at all. My images are meant for my pleasure and entertainment of friends and families. They never complained about presence of little noise. Normally don’t shoot before sunrise or after sunset except for silhouettes. Might attempt in future if opportunity comes by. Thanks again.

[@lacruzadadeunpadre.]

Como siempre da gusto ver sus videos, se aprende siempre mucho y se pasa un rato muy agradable. Muy bonitas imágenes. No entiendo el idioma pero de todas formas aprendo mucho. Muchas gracias por compartir sus videos. Un Abrazo desde España.

[@Duade]

Es un placer, es genial saber que estás disfrutando de los videos y las imágenes. Cuidate Saludos Duade

[@OldForestBushcraft]

Awesome video! My biggest mistakes were to stuff my photos not putting any effort with surroundings, shooting with too slow shutter speeds, not really understanding light and many many many. Thanx for awesome video!

[@Ranjeetdanu]

Such humble personality and powerful yet simple ways you share your knowledge Duade!

[@Duade]

Thanks Ranjeet, Cheers, Duade

[@rogerbossart9586]

Duade, your KZbins rare absolutely compelling, enlightening, and FUN. As a true Kiwi and Aussie, you are unmistakably the finest person on the planet to be discussing wildlife photography. Someday, I will return to Oz and maybe even tell you how things were in 1974 in a little town slightly NW of Adelaide, on the edge of the Great Simpson Desert. Woomera, the WRE and JDSCS. More when I get you a beer from the waters of the Murray River (if it's still potable?!)

[@Duade]

Thanks Roger, you are too kind, if you are ever down under be sure to reach out and we will have a nice cuppa and chat all things photography and wildlife. Cheers, Duade

[@laurelb8372]

Great tips about burst mode, I always forget to use that

[@Duade]

Thanks Laurel, I am glad it helped, good luck, Cheers, Duade

[@MihaiSavuCom]

This is an excellent compilation of priceless advices. Took me 5 years to realise each of them on my own, except one thing: shooting RAW. I find it too laborious, time consuming in post processing and space consuming on card. It's my struggle to overcome this burden. Your video is so honest, so humble, so practical. I just love it. Thank you so much!

[@jonseddon7067]

Ditto regarding raw. Yes I probably SHOULD spend the time but I’ve had Fujifilm cameras for years and never lusted after any alternative results, and my XT-2 is years old.

[@Gaztography]

Duade, another top quality presentation. Your hard work on creating is much appreciated. Keep up the excellent work. You have reignited my passion over the past few months. Gary

[@Duade]

That is great to hear Gary, glad I could be of help, Cheers, Duade

[@adamr8628]

Feathering.....Works in Firearms too! Burst mode. Great way to go shooting!

[@huntstyle]

Do you ever shoot on shutter priority? It may not work in every situation, but I found it to be useful when shooting moose the other day. With them moving around, from the bright sun into the dark shadows, it can be hard to keep up in full manual to adjust ISO, shutter, and aperture. If I'm in shutter priority, all I have to do is change my shutter speed, a little slower in the shadows if I want a lower ISO. For my camera it did really well with exposure in shutter priority.

[@Duade]

Yes, they can be very helpful for sure. If there is no white on the subject the camera is less likely to stuff up the exposure which is my only concern with auto exposure. But with exp comp you can adjust it slightly. Glad to hear you had a great session. Cheers, Duade 👍

[@tonynicolaci3244]

Learning by mistakes or other people's mistakes. This is a great overall summary on how to improve your photography. It covers everything. No need to watch anymore KZbin photography videos (only joking on this last point). Also I appreciate your point about evolving as a photographer in skill and style or taste. Also love the currently blooming Australian Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) in the background and for those who don't know this is where we got our Australian National Colour for sporting teams.

[@Duade]

Thanks Tony, 100% agree with what you have said, nothing beats getting out there with your camera. Yes, the wattles are kicking off around here. I am lucky to have Spur-wing Wattle (Acacia triptera) on the property and it is just starting now so looking forward to the property transforming in the next few weeks. Cheers, Duade

[@ValerieMisaPhotography]

I've recently discovered how much I enjoy bird photography and am so glad I found your channel, Duade. Your videos are wonderfully helpful, engaging and I'm a big fan of your down-to-earth presentation style. To top it off, your photos are top notch!! 👌 Many thanks for sharing 🙏🙏

[@Duade]

Thanks Valerie, you are too kind, welcome to the channel and have fun birding, Cheers, Duade

[@PhotoGearFun]

I'm sure I have made all of these at one point in my photography "career". Thanks for another in depth detailed video!

[@Duade]

Thanks, it is my pleasure, great to hear I am not the only one, Cheers, Duade

[@ggwildlife]

another excellent upload and lots of tips. **thumbsup**

[@Duade]

Thanks, I am glad it was helpful, Cheers, Duade

[@Brodmoor]

I remember when I first started, I would shoot one photo and look at it, it would be a terrible photo, go back in and they subject was gone. Started shootings burst and what a difference

[@Duade]

That is great to hear, yes, shooting in bursts helps for sure, Cheers, Duade

[@mitchellrobertsau]

Extensive video that people getting into bird photography need to watch, will absolutely improve their images if they put these tips into practice 👍

[@Duade]

Thanks for the feedback, I hope the video is helpful to those starting out, Cheers, Duade

[@ronwilson9855]

Brilliant Duade, you can learn more from mistakes than any other way, and it proves we are all human.

[@Duade]

Thanks Ron, 100%, I am still making them every time I go out, Cheers, Duade

[@RetrieverTrainingAlone]

Excellent! The reason RAW files are superior to JPEG is that each RGB value ranges from 0-255 (8-bit) in JPEG while with RAW the RGB values can range from 0 - 4,095 (12 bit).

[@Matt90541]

Shooting is RAW is overrated even though I would always choose RAW over JPEG. I've noticed so much emphasis on shooting with RAW like with the fro-guy...people have forgotten that the basics matter far more - composition, lighting, etc. Some people don't even know that you can adjust the shadows, white-balance, etc. on a JPEG just like RAW, just not to the same degree.

[@RetrieverTrainingAlone]

@@Matt90541 The fundamental problem is a low dynamic range with 8-bit JPG relative to 12 or 16 bit Raw. 0-255 (8-bit) in JPEG while with RAW the RGB values can range from 0 - 4,095 (12 bit).

[@christianwetzel1862]

Excellent advice, as always! Thank you very much! I could add two more mistakes (and probably more, if I'd think longer...): 1) Thinking that longer focal length, especially when adding teleconverters, automatically transfers into better resolution and sharpness. If the bird is like 100m away, any more focal length would just magnify the haze of the moving air between me and the subject, even in winter. There's no way around getting closer to the bird to get sufficient detail and sharpness. 2) It took a long time and many messed up shots for me to realize that the camera was set to automatically restore the settings programmed for the actual mode after some minutes of inactivity. Fortunately, I eventually found the setting to automatically update any mode with the latest adjustment instead, so that it wouldn't go back to some initial exposure settings by itself. However related to #11 I had to learn to consciuosly check exposure settings each time I switch the camera on nevertheless, to not waste precious moments by not realizing that ISO, shutter speed or exposure compensation were completely off.

[@Duade]

Thanks Christian, yes, that can be very confusing and annoying when the camera does that, I'm not sure why it does not default to the last settings used when using custom functions etc. Glad to hear you have learned lots from your own mistakes. Cheers, Duade

[@skakdosmer]

@@Duade I don't know about all cameras (obviously), but on some cameras (maybe even most cameras) you can choose what the camera does when you switch it off (and later back on). One option is to have it keep the last settings. Another option is to have set everything back to the default settings. In short: Whatever camera you have, be sure to RTFM: Read the f...friendly manual. By the way, I really wish there were a third option: To have it keep the last settings for maybe 8, 16 or 24 hours, but after that have it revert to the default settings.

[@Al60ish]

Thank you for your always excellent advice; I think the first rule for every good nature photographer is not to disturb the animal you are going to photograph

[@JustOneKnight]

I dont think there is such a thing as a mistake , everything is perfect for that moment. For your own eyes.....cant speak for the camera hahaha. As a beginner this is the best excuse I can use. But learning so much fun. You and your knowledge are very much appreciated. Thank you.

[@bjrn-einarnilsen687]

Great video as alwayd Duade. Oh yes i have done a loooot things wrong since i started with my Pentax ME Super back in 1979. But that is how you learn i guess. I have both seeing, and hearing people say " I know all about photography " But one thing is for sure! no person will live long enough to couId say that, and be right. I look at a lot of different videos, read articles about the subject, looks at the work of other photographers and go out experimenting. That's how i have done it, and will continue doing to evolve my skills, because I can always learn something new. Have a wonderful week mate Cheers, Bjoern

[@Duade]

Thanks mate, yes, I should have said trying not to make mistakes is a mistake as that is how we learn, I have made them all and continue to do so, part of the fun I guess, I just hope I make less the longer I go but learning all the time. Cheers, Duade

[@colincromar2878]

My worst one was shooting BIF at dusk. I shot in in Manual Mode, wide open aperature, crazy high iso to keep the shutter speed high. Noisy images but all fine. The next day, saw a buzzard on a post eating a bunny. Grabbed the camera. Took a burst about 10 feet away. Checked the images after it flew off. Yep completely white. Everything blown and unrecoverable. Doh

[@Duade]

Thanks Colin, I have been there and very common mistake to make, I hope you got another chance with the buzzard, Cheers, Duade

[@janlamens84]

Thanks for the video full of advice, here is my biggest mistake so far but it was a budget call. I've bought a sigma 400 5.6 a long long time age that was only working well on analog camera's so after every photo with my DSLR I had to turn my camera on and off before I could take another photo. About 4 years ago I replaced it with the Tamron 150 600 to keep the 5.6 on 400mm if needed. What I learned from using the sigma is to learn and wait for the right moment to make a photo by looking at the subject. It took a lot of time and it didn't always work but it still produced a lot of good shots.

[@Duade]

Thanks for sharing J L, looks like the lens taught you a lot of patience which is an integral part of wildlife photography. Cheers, Duade

[@ForrestWest]

Another great video as always! I shoot with c-raw in Hi+ burst Mode electronic shutter. I just tap and feather the shutter button and that gives me lots of shots to choose from without ever hitting the buffer or having to wait. Tapping the shutter button might give me four to seven shots and feathering it gives me 15 to 30. In raw burst pre-capture mode I'll get about 15 shots from before the full press and maybe 20 after it and it does take a moment to clear the buffer.

[@Duade]

Thanks for sharing your experience Forrest, I use mine the same, Cheers, Duade

[@tonyblake8841]

Duade I have also found from using eBird that a good place for birdwatching is not necessarily a good place for photography. I have started taking some terrible shots just to get an example to catalogue for that visit and location, and sometimes helping in recognition. I come home with a mixed bag of shots. Thanks again.

[@Duade]

Thanks Tony, 100% agree, I guess it is all part of the fun, Cheers, Duade

[@nevadaxtube]

What a tremendous selection of amazing birds in Australia. Thanks for the video.

[@Duade]

We sure do, I am very grateful to the variety we have down here. Cheers, Duade

[@shlomoeshet8525]

What a comprehensive list of mistakes. I surely made them all. I believe cropping too much is the easiest to avoid (along with many other post processing mistakes). Thanks Duade.

[@Duade]

Thanks Shlomo, like anything I think we evolve with time and our tastes change etc. Cheers, Duade

[@sweetsweet3753]

very good video - well presented and thanks... hmmm the biggest skill seems to be patience and passion. i just upgraded my Nikon B700 (have got me some super happy photos to date) to a Nikon P950 so figure i should learn a bit more than AutoFocus. I travel lots and love to focus on seeing wildlife in its natural environment. I live in Thailand and have some really good wetlands near me with lots of birds and lots of monitor lizards (which are awesome) so i got plenty to practice on in my back yard. Hoping it becomes a cool fun hobby..

[@Duade]

Awesome, sounds like a wonderful spot, good luck with the camera and learning. Cheers, Duade 👍

[@isabellegauthier1254]

Thank you so much for your video. I'm a newbie and I make all the mistakes in the world😳 I get so many out of focus photos, I'm struggling when the bird is on the tree with branches and leaves, i usually get 1 good photo per outings. Thanks for the tips, top notch👍

[@Duade]

You're so welcome!

[@jameshchetwyndjr9739]

Thank you mate. 2012 Nikon coolpix p510 under $300 great pictures. 42x optical zoom

[@burkholdst.rudderberg3574]

In bird photography where sharp focus is demanded, I have found, a lens extender ( even a quality OEM ) is more trouble than it is worth. If the subject is stationary and one is using a tripod, the OEM lens extender can be a benefit. ( Don't even think of using a aftermarket lens extender! )

[@Duade]

Thanks, yes, certain extenders can degrade the quality and it largely depends on the quality of the lens. I use a 1.4x on my 500 f4 95% of the time as I see very little difference. I have also found the RF1.4 works well with RF lenses. Cheers, Duade

[@burkholdst.rudderberg3574]

@@Duade The Canon 1.4x on the Canon 400mm f5.6 L slows down the auto focus ( 7D Mark ii ) just enough to be a pain with flying birds. ( And there is serious desert sun where I live - plenty of light! ) I leave it at home much of the time and wear camo to get a little closer.

[@Duade]

@@burkholdst.rudderberg3574 Yes, the older DSLR do not handle the TC very well with restricted focus points and slower AF. I rarely used the 1.4 on my 400 5.6 for that reason. They work much better on mirrorless bodies which is great. Cheers, Duade

[@paulasimson4939]

Excellent tips. Especially the explanation on the difference between one shot and continuous mode. I finally get it!

[@Duade]

Great to hear Paula, I am happy to hear it helped, Cheers, Duade

[@gyalbobhutia2825]

your videos are honest and really motivates the beginners.

[@Duade]

Thanks Gyalbo, that is great to hear, Cheers, Duade 👍

[@AlanMajor-lp8ix]

Just joined a photography club and needed some basic knowledge you explained very well gave me loads of questions to ask thanks for your tutorial looking forward to getting some great shots like the ones you've shown 😊

[@Duade]

Glad it was helpful!

[@terrygoyan]

Great information! Thanks for sharing your expertise. I started with photography in the 70's and worked in a camera store for a few years. Camera stores love selling filters because they have a much higher mark up than bodies and lenses. I never use filters except for the occasional ND or polarizer. Camera companies spend lot of research and development on lens design. Except for big telephoto lenses, which usually have a slip in filter, no lens really benefits from having a filter on it! I still use a DSLR, a Nikon D500 for wildlife work. The buffer is almost impossible to fill. Although the frame rate is much lower than a good mirrorless body! My only complaint with the D500 is the shutter is loud enough to sometimes startle the subject. Thanks for all the tips. Looks like Australia is a wildlife/birders paradise!

[@bobamarmstrong]

Thanks Duade for that excellent video. I'm not into bird photography but in landscape and portrait photography. Those advices you give us apply also to all types of photography. It will be good for beginners

[@Duade]

Thanks Bobama, glad to hear it was helpful for other forms of photography. Cheers, Duade

[@divercraig65]

Thanks again Duade for another informative video, helpful tips in there for everyone. I'm happy to say some of those points I am now thinking about more in the field after watching your videos.

[@Duade]

Great to hear Craig, I am sure your photos have improved and will continue to do so. Cheers, Duade

[@alexandermacfarlane205]

Duade, I've been really enjoying your content recently, thanks for sharing your experience and wisdom with myself and others.

[@Duade]

Thanks Alexander, it is my pleasure, Cheers, Duade

[@simonthibodeau7082]

Thanks again for a great video. I'll share this to some friends who are just starting out. I've done plenty of those mistakes when starting out and still make a lot of them, particularly when it comes to choosing locations and setting expectations on the kind of shots that a particular set of location+conditions can get me. I still find myself waiting for hours for a "perfect" shot sometimes, and end up either not getting it because it was unrealistic or getting the shot and being disappointed in it because the conditions or my composition wasn't ideal after all. I think that's a crucial skill that truly requires a ton of experience to master. I think you've showcased this beautifully when you mentioned coming up to a spot and knowing right away you would never get a great shot. If it was me I might've gone up there and wasted time trying to get one only to be disappointed with the results. Getting great shots often requires a lot of patience and time in the field, but sometimes it doesn't really, it's just about maximizing and optimizing the opportunities you can get with the time you spend in the field. There's always luck involved when shooting wild animals, but putting the odds in your favor is a skill that really what seperate good wildlife photographers from great ones. It's so easy to waste time in the field on mediocre shots I find, that's one of main things I am working on now. I don't worry too much about it still, any time spent in the field is time well spent! It's also really easy to waste a ton of time trying to edit a picture you really wanted that turned out not so great, but you still try to salvage it in post. I'm definitely guilty of doing that, spending hours to edit a set of pictures and realizing I should just go back there the next day to try the shots again in different conditions/settings. When I look back, most of the favorite shots I've ever taken didn't need that much editing at all. All in all it can be summarized to optimizing the time you spend on and off the field, that's the biggest skill to learn for me! Oh and one last mistake I often made at the start: NOT prefocusing before a shot! Especially on mirrorless it's important to aim at the ground to quickly set your focus to near, or to a distant tree to set it to near infinity, so you can help with focus acquisition. Having a bird jump right next to me, pointing directly at it and missing it because my lens was set to infinity, I've done that a few times for sure. Or waiting for a distant bird to take off, only to realize I was near focused and completely failing to acquire it, that's also happened lol. Pre focusing is a good habit to develop into a reflex as soon as you start out I think. Anyway, thanks again for the great video, great pictures and great advice. Cheers!

[@Duade]

Thanks for the support Simon, I appreciate it and thanks for sharing, Cheers, Duade

[@gremlins71]

Nice video. It's worth watching full of informations. Congratulations !!! More power.

[@Duade]

Thank you, glad it was helpful, Cheers, Duade

[@Prepared_Suburbanite]

Excellent! I've made nearly all of these mistakes, but what you've done is provided solutions to correct or compensate. Thank you!

[@Duade]

It is my pleasure, I am glad it was helpful, Cheers, Duade

[@calum54]

Duade, thank you very much for all the effort you put into this. Especially for the info about memory cards. In my befuddled brain I thought The read speed was from the camera to the card and the write speed was from the card to the computer. I now know better!

[@Duade]

My pleasure Mal, it is confusing that is for sure, the faster write speed does make a difference to clearing the buffer quicker. Cheers, Duade

[@kentaufderheide8454]

Excellent Video. I think I've made every one of those mistakes.

[@Duade]

Thanks Kent, I still make many of them :-) Cheers, Duade

[@ryanogilvy1]

Fantastic, it's nice to be reminded of some of the critical components to a good photo, I've been birding since 2020 after wanting to take my hobby in another direction. I've grown a lot in the past year, but that only continues from a willingness to continue to learn, thankyou! One of my most common mistakes has been placing myself on the wrong side of the water for light direction. Sometimes it isn't a choice and try to angle to shot so that the light is at the side, when it is, I tend to be absent minded and add 20 minutes to my trip to the State Park.

[@Duade]

Thanks for the feedback, I have been there with the light several times, I usually decide if a spot is morning or afternoon to try and make the most of the light. Good luck, Cheers, DUade

[@Rick-wu9gu]

Great video (as usual!!) Duade, really enjoyed it! A mistake I made was just last weekend...I found a Red Tailed Hawk that was perched high in a tree, and wasn't in much of a hurry to move. I started to take his photograph, but conditions were a little tough as he was in silhouette, and when I exposed him properly, the completely overcast sky was blown out. I was shooting a Nikon D5 and Sigma 150-600 and didn't have a filter kit to put on. The bird became really interested in me and what I was doing, so I got a bunch of frames of him looking right at me. My mistake happened later when I was looking at the frames on my computer. I shoot Raw + Jpeg, and was only looking at the Jpegs...I was gutted, all the photos were either over or under exposed. A few days later, I loaded them into my Lightroom program, and found a number of usable images...made my day! I learned not to go off the jpegs (I may even skip the jpegs altogether). Thanks for the tip about the Sigma 150-600 and closing the aperture down to f8. I'm guilty of shooting predominantly wide open with that lens. I'll sure give it a try, thanks!! Keep doing what you're doing, you've got one of the best photography channels on KZbin.

[@Duade]

Thanks Rick, I appreciate the feedback, glad to hear you had more room in the RAW files and it is amazing how much data they capture. Good luck, Cheers, Duade

[@WernerBirdNature]

G'day mate, thanks for making this great video which no doubt helps a lot of people find their way into our common birding passion 👍 Maybe you're just a little too modest like stating you didn't know what a bird was until you started .. "started walking as a toddler" I must presume, heheh. Anyway, I prefer modesty over arrogance anytime! Maybe one mistake (which I keep on making) you didn't mention: when shooting in company (which does have some clear advantages) you're often tempted to either draw your partner's attention to a bird you just spotted, or you ask him/her what the hell they're aiming at. In both cases the birds may scare away before anyone managed a shot. While traveling in Iceland during July, my biggest mistake was actually keeping the 24-105/4 on the camera while driving from one amazing landscape to a waterfall or awesome geothermal area. because while driving or walking around we kept on spotting marvelous birds. And I lost some great opportunities by not having my long zoom on the camera or even with me. It can be pretty frustrating being able to approach a bird to only a few meters, in great light, eye-level & with distant background .. but obviously not getting great bokeh at 105/4 ..

[@Duade]

Thanks Werner, yes, I should have said I didn't know many bird species or have an interest in them :-) Yes, I have made that mistake a few times scaring a bird whilst moving or such and feeling bad. Congrats on your Iceland trip, sounds like it would have been amazing. Cheers, Duade

[@WernerBirdNature]

@@Duade I'm sure you would have picked up birding much earlier, if only the most famous bird of your native country could fly and wasn't named after a fruit ;-) Iceland was indeed awesome! While we only planned a few spots where we hoped to find puffins, we actually spotted each day multiple birds we either never saw before or we could never before approach as close. I also learned a lot and I intend to write a kind of trip report about it to you and Jan, but I'm still culling through almost 27000 images to get a complete list of all news birds 😛

[@d53101]

Thanks Duade for this content full video. I agree with most of it except for the “mistake” of shooting in JPG only. I shoot everything in Canon Fine JPG with Fine Detail picture profile. I have an ancient 2009 iMac that I do all my editing with. I can do mostly everything I need to do in editing except recovering blown out highlights. Therefore I do test shots first to get it right. My bird photo equipment is a Canon 90D and a Sigma 100-400 lens. I’ve made plenty of mistakes over the years and learned from all of them.

[@GregorMima]

"Eye level with your bird". Actually that´s the most important rule for any subject. ALWAYS get on eye level ... pets, kids, smaller models etc. Cheers!

[@Duade]

Thanks Gregor, yes, it helps a lot doesn't it, Cheers, Duade

[@traceycarney7053]

The best explanation on mistakes in wildlife photography. Thanks Duade, I can now go out and better my photography especially the lighting and sun position. Awesome.

[@Duade]

It is my pleasure Tracey, glad to hear it helped, Cheers, Duade

[@Methodical2]

Pro tips: 1. Setup your "my menu" tab with your most used settings to quickly get at them. Be sure to categorized them, such as focusing, exposure etc. 2. Wrap your tripod lets with bicycle handlebar tape grip. Much more grippy, less like to slide around and more comfortable than those other kind of leg covers.

[@UrbaneHobbit]

Thanks Duade! Been shooting wildlife (birds mostly) more seriously at hobby level for about two years now. It is great to be able to review the fundamentals as you present them clearly here.

[@bruceholmes8010]

Duade, such great Tips. I need to watch this video every other week. So much great information. I love your talk about Light and your examples of images. My biggest fail is post-work. I tend to "hurry" and not really give the time to post work. I work on a computer for 8-10 hours a day and getting on a computer again is such "work" as much as I love bird photography and to see my images. I tend to not do it justice. Something I need to work on. The best thing I do now is now I get more eye level with birds. Better backgrounds as "you showed" and talked about it in earlier videos. Ground Pods and getting down or at least lower when I can. Thank you for sharing. I also use a Monopod more as the camera shake on my Canon 6D and Sigma 150-600 mm was getting worse it seemed. Oh, I would add my worse mistake is I always take a spare battery with me now or ensure my battery is charged before walking. I tend to take long walks :) Ultimate fail is when I took a great walk in Colorado and a Red Tail Hawk displayed and it was going to be a good chance for a shot and .... no battery :( I always grab a spare battery now. Always!

[@Duade]

Thanks for the feedback Bruce, glad your enjoyed it. Also great that the videos are helping with your images and yes, I have forgot the battery a few times myself. Cheers, Duade

[@ambrosechiu2338]

about 2 months ago I was out taking photos of supermoon with my Nikon D7100 camera. I might touch and changed from RAW to basic jpeg and only realised 3 days later when I tried to edit photos in LR Classic. now I alaays check the settings before taking photos.😂

[@Duade]

Sorry to hear that Ambrose, very annoying, Cheers, DUade

[@ethanrod7968]

Your videos are so calming and fun to watch

[@davetaylor812]

time back pre digital, twice i loaded a roll of film and failed to watch the cassette knob rotated when I wound on, yep both times the take up had failed went on to develop a blank film. Sods law once was at a cousins wedding (not the official photos) with lots of family pics, 2nd was another one off event.

[@Duade]

Oh Dave, that sucks and must have been tough, similar to how many of use took photos without a memory card in digital cameras. Cheers, Duade

[@tonyblake8841]

Thanks for the video Duade. I think I am guilty of all 20+1 more. Me being the 21st. I’m too impatient, and everything else flys out the window. Since the bird conference I have tried a few things and it has made a noticeable difference. One problem I often have is how much to crop. I like imagery left in the shot but if I am sharing an image via mobile phone people 100% zoom in on the subject. The small screen of a phone seems to encourage it. I think there are different degrees of acceptable cropping for how the image would be viewed. Personally I love more imagery with a print or on a large screen, tighter cropping as the screen size shrinks. A blurred background or a bird on a stick or editing to make the subject “pop” makes the eye zoom naturally I believe. So yes cropping is a big one.

[@Duade]

Thanks Tony, yes, IG and phone photos can be cropped more for sure. Thanks again for the ongoing support, Cheers, Duade

[@andyallard5990]

Excellent value as always haven’t been on here for awhile good to catch up with you see you still putting the content into a very high standard hope life is treating you alright how do I love my hundred to 500 lines all my heart six excellent thanks so much for your time much appreciated

[@Duade]

Thanks Andy, I appreciate the feedback and you choosing to watch my videos. Yes the 100-500 is excellent. Cheers, Duade 👍

[@african7498]

Excellent as usual - and very humble and modest

[@Duade]

Thank you, I hope it was helpful, Cheers, Duade

[@dcfefs]

All really good and useful tips! Packed in a simple presentation; with tons of examples (unlike some ytubers who just talks about it instead of showing) Good job mate!

[@Duade]

Thanks dcfefs, it is my pleasure, Cheers, Duade

[@tibtechtalks]

Thanks for sharing your great experience and wonderful knowledge.

[@Duade]

Thanks it is my pleasure, Cheers, Duade

[@DrPankajMalukar]

Wow..that’s lovely video as usual! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@Duade]

It is my pleasure, Cheers, Duade

[@duncan2565]

Very helpfull video! I recognize a lot of the mistakes. Thank you

[@Duade]

Thanks Duncan, I made all of them and still make plenty :-) Cheers, Duade

[@allpha3638]

From what I've seen of the video tests on YT (I'm only interested in the photo), the colors everywhere tend to be like a "brick" shade. Also "smudge". No pastel color. I am also discouraged by the battery life of only 600 shots, while the same battery model in the EOS 5D mk.3 produces three times that.

[@kimraymond2749]

Thanks. A very relatable video. Starting out, I felt happy to just get any record of a bird, another "first" to take home and start a new folder. From that point of consciousness there is a process of refinement. From my first "serious camera" a Panasonic fz300 camera with 600mm equivalent small sensor (which is amazingly capable for its cost), I have upgraded to a used Olympus OM D M1 Mark 3 with a "kit lens" 75-300 zoom. Again 600mm equivalent with bigger micro4/3 sensor. There is improvement and masses of potential new settings to explore. The Panasonic was a great start because it had most of the same settings that I could learn with. From starting with recording in jpeg I now shoot only raw and process with DXO pure raw and Luminar Neo. The quality continues to improve. But I see that to go to the next level I would need to take more time to compose shots and position myself at the right time and place to get excellent shots. It's a process and a balance between just being an excuse to get out in nature (or take a few shots while walking the dog), and going deep into the technical side of photography and post processing. They go together but they can be quite time consuming. I am grateful for your insights and some other KZbinrs who put a whole lot of work into videos to help out people like me.

[@Duade]

Thanks for sharing your journey Kim, I appreciate it, it is always finding a balance isn't it. Ultimately I think it has to come down to what gives us joy, and this will differ for everyone. Great to hear that your photos are improving over time, not sure I could go birding with my dog, she would scare the birds away :-) Cheers, Duade

[@kimraymond2749]

@@Duade He doesn't show interest in birds but knows if he sits still when I stop to take a picture that he'll get a treat. I just take the opportunity while walking him to carry my camera and be ready if something unusual happens. There is a different mental focus with or without the dog but today I caught a picture of a barn owl (my first) while walking the dog which I wouldnt have got if I didnt take my camera everywhere.

[@Duade]

@@kimraymond2749 Well done Kim, what a great surprise that must have been, I have not seen them during the day yet. Cheers, Duade

[@thescouser8629]

Great video. We are starting our new camera club season and this video is a must for new aspiring wildlife photographers.

[@Duade]

That is great to hear, I hope they learn from it, Cheers, DUade

[@arefuddinahmed892]

Superb presentation Duade. This will definitely help a lot of photographers around the world. A few tips helped me too. I sincerely thank you for that.

[@unittwophoto]

Another fantastic video Duade, it never ceases to amaze me how much you can teach us in just 30 minutes. Saturday morning i got some of my best shots yet, while photographing a Lesser Yellowlegs bobbing between some rocks in a river. while they may not have been the worlds greatest compositionally speaking, or in terms of background cleanliness, it was definitely a clear indicator of improvement in both technique and patience for me. cant wait to apply more of these lessons to my craft next day I'm in the field. I am also looking at picking up one of those older L line lenses you had on your 40D, as my price range is a bit low, but i need to get away from my (extremely) entry level 75-300. maybe a 300 or 400 with IS if i can find it. hoping to see more content from you soon!

[@Duade]

Well done, that is great to hear you can see the progression in your shots. Yes, if you can pick up the 400 5.6L second hand or the 300 f4 IS with 1.4x you should see a big difference. Good luck and keep at it. Cheers, Duade

[@franktherabbit42]

Thanks for pointing out the issues with UY Filters. Ive been getting those lines in my images and they're not as sharp as I was hoping. Now I know why. Cheers

[@KurtisPape]

I haven't made too many mistakes because when I started I was watching your and Jan's videos right away. 1 mistake I did make was I dropped my bridge camera, I had it on the iFootage monopod with tripod foot and it's somewhat stable with a light camera attached, I was confident to let go of it as long as I kept my hand right near it, anyway I was standing behind it for 30 minutes without touching it, then I turned my head for a split second and when I turned back it was already halfway gone and it hit the hard ground lens first. Somehow no damage but the zoom motors possibly slowed down. Another mistake has number 19, in my 1st year I went to this 1 spot almost every weekend through winter and spring and it was great but in summer the birds were simply not around but I continually kept going there every weekend through summer and spent 2 months without even turning the camera on much. I should have been changing up my location and target species.

[@Duade]

Thanks for sharing Kurtis, yes, locations change over time for sure, always good to explore to try and find other spots. Glad to hear KZbin has helped your journey. Cheers, Duade

[@KurtisPape]

@@Duade It's been amazing this year to see and learn about bird migrations, it's not just waterbirds which is what I originally thought but birds in search of nectar or insects, or even change locations looking for nesting sites. On a much larger scale nearing the middle of Australia where the birds go wherever the water is.

[@jyoungtricks]

Talking about exposure on black or white birds, do you think in future if you decide to make another tips video you could give a tip on black and white birds, like Willie wag tails... Not all heros wear capes and I appreciate you 😃

[@Duade]

If I came across a black and white I will be sure to explain how I expose the shot. Cheers, Duade

[@Froggywentawandering]

I'd been wondering why I was getting those weird lines in the backround of my images - never even occurred to me it would be the UV filter ! That got my sub, and that you're very easy to listen to and informative 🙌

[@michaelwarren5152]

I really appreciate how approachable you make the introduction to wildlife photography, Duade. There is a lot to digest when starting out - and there continues to be years down the road! But that’s part of the fun. I think one of the most important lessons I’ve learned through many mistakes is practicing patience while waiting for an opportunity to capture an image. To couple that, learning bird behavior is paramount to setting up a shot. It almost seems to go against the grain to not try and cover miles to find every bird in the area (it’s the birder in me…). What I’ve found is if I focus on one species, learn their natural history and behavioral patterns, and spend the time to put myself into an area where said species frequents, I come out with much better images.

[@Duade]

Thanks Michael, agree with you 100%, I don't think people appreciate just how much time is often put in to obtain certain shots, yes we get lucky occasionally but many times it is just a learning trip and putting things in the bank for next time. Good luck on your journey, Cheers, Duade

[@danielvolz606]

Honestly, I don't do wildlife photography... yet, but I am going to take these tips that you have taught us and apply it to street photography 👍

[@Duade]

Great to hear Daniel, good luck, Cheers, Duade

[@stevebanks484]

Thanks Duade 👍. I’ve been doing bird photography for a couple of years and I do most of what you advise. I do have one problem, which is the over-cropping one. Hadn’t realised there was such a knock-on impact with quality/post-processing - thought it was just my heavy-handiness in Lightroom 🙄. Together with your tips on positioning this gives me some really useful advice to work on. 👍👏

[@Duade]

Great to hear Steve, cropping is also related to the MP size, you can crop the R5 a lot more than other cameras for example. Ideally though getting closer will increase the IQ a lot. Cheers, DUade

[@John_Ridley]

The memory card prices are funny. I've been in digital so long that I remember having a serious argument with another photography hobbyist friend about whether to go with the HUGE 1GB cards - he argued it was too big a risk putting a whole GB in one card, because you could lose so much at once. My first card was a 32MB CF which cost me about $120. Every year for quite a while I bought one twice as big and they always cost me around $120. I actually owned a 1GB microdrive CF once. I sold it eventually because it spooked me, I just was hearing too many stories about them crashing. I think that thing cost me over $300 for 1GB.

[@Duade]

Thanks John, yes, the price and size of memory is crazy when we think about it. I can still remember the cassettes and huge floppy disks we started with all those years ago. Cheers, Duade