Wildlife Photography -- Birds With a Back Yard Studio Set! Covid-19 Social Distancing in Style...

Social distancing is nothing new to hunters and wildlife photographers, and Wisconsin deemed outdoor recreation as essential. Still, our state planners suggested keeping close to home and not putting highway rescue at risk. Honoring Wisconsin's efforts to flatten the curve, I decided to set up a photography studio around the bird feeder at home, a practice I had done plenty of times before. A surprise April snowstorm put the beauty touches on a good plan! In this video, I discuss considerations and strategies for backyard bird photography. Learn how to set up a successful studio shooting situation that gives a diverse set of images and keeps the bird portraits wild, clear and free of distractions. Good health to you!

[@michaelgracephotography8308]

I just took an interest in photographing birds in the back yard. Thank You for showing me that this hobby doesn't have to be expensive and exotic. I can't wait

[@stcroixoutdoors]

The canoe that Bruce is using is an Old Town Guide 119. The kayak is discontinued, a Gander Mountain Guide Series Elite 10.4

[@DarklightTarot]

Beautiful photos. Thankyou for this video

[@stcroixoutdoors]

Thank you for watching!

[@DonaldStamour-yv3wj]

great video are you taking pictures from inside the house and if so what is a good setting through window

[@kipmay5101]

Beautiful images. I love your studio set ups and tips. Thank you.

[@stcroixoutdoors]

Thank you! Thank you for watching!

[@bruceleventhal3292]

Another great video Brian with some super tips!

[@stcroixoutdoors]

Thank you! You will really enjoy the next one! :-)

[@gerryfelix5948]

Reminds me of my Mich UP winters. I assume that you are shooting thru glass windows, or am I wrong? I’m planning a bird studio here in VA and would appreciate any advice you have regarding camo and window considerations. Enjoyed the video, thx for any help you can give me. Gerry

[@stcroixoutdoors]

Hi! I set this studio up on a deck with a sliding door. Since the door is fairly new, I can shoot through the window if I am not shooting anything to my left or right (the deck window starts to distort everything if it isn't straight ahead). Usually, though, I turn the furnace off for a while and just sit by the open deck door. I make sure the lights are off inside the house as well, and use an earth-toned curtain as a slight veil of camouflage. Eventually, most of the birds get used to the whole situation. During windy days, I pin the curtain back so it doesn't blow around. Overall, though, I don't modify my kitchen/deck area a whole lot. I am often shooting from the kitchen table! I hope that is helpful. Mostly, I would recommend against shooting pictures at angles through windows, as the chromatic flare and blurring is pretty bad. Enjoy!

[@gerryfelix5948]

@@stcroixoutdoors thank you, your advice will be put to good use.

[@chrispoulsen_]

So you’re shooting through your kitchen window too?

[@stcroixoutdoors]

I was, for sure! Thankfully, less so these days! Cheers!