Wildlife Photography Small-in-Frame

In this video, I look at images captured using subjects that are smaller in-frame.
We will look at how this style can improve the diversity of your gallery and often makes for a more artistic final product. Also, find out a few tips from me about my bird photography as well.
This video features images from some of my talented Patreon members as well!
For more information on my subscription site check out:
www.patreon.com/wildlifeinspired

[@junebug1553]

I'm kind of embarrassed when I look back at my bird photos and see how close and tight I always cropped them, like the bird was the only thing important in the picture. But...thanks to guys like you, I am considering the context of the photo, what's going on all around the bird, etc. I have now switched my line of thinking to include other elements in the photo so that a story is told to the viewer. Thanks so much!

[@kevins8575]

This is why my rf100-500 mm is my go-to lens for bird photography.

[@JoannePage-bm9hs]

This video has lifted weight from my shoulders. I will shoot with more confidence and freedom to capture images without the pressure of including every feather in detail. Thank you for all the beautiful examples... inspiring work by all.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks!

[@martinmoseley128]

Very enjoyable and inspiring video. Some wonderfully artistic captures.

[@MrSpock002]

SUPER presentation Scott. Just retired and have just started feeding a lifelong desire to photograph birds and wildlife. Thanks for some great info - never thought of this concept before!!

[@jonzwikk1582]

Great tips and a good way to vary my idea of taking bird photos. Will definitely give this "small-in-frame" technique a try

[@njs12706]

Just my cup of tea. Really love the small in frame style, something I do a lot of. Also backlighting, so much fun. Great images here👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@WildlifeInspired]

Awesome, thank you!

[@Interbeing_CDN]

Thanks for sharing Scott, ever since I viewed you interview with Lisa Angel, I have been energized with changing my shooting. Great video!

[@WildlifeInspired]

awesome

[@rachelg7371]

I love this! I’m always reluctant to do this because of the criticism that the bird is so small in the frame, but the lighting, composition, and complementary colors makes me excited to revisit my images and try new ones! Thank you 😊

[@clausgiloi6036]

The yellow image at 17:00 is spectacular.

[@TomReichner]

The image by Jason Jablonski at 5:57 is masterfully done. I love when images are so complex and show so much vegetation, yet every little bit of vegetation is so perfectly in its place. That's doing it right!

[@scottheppel8847]

Particularly love the bird in habitat images, especially the Common Yellowthroat on the pokeweed. Also like the small in frame photographs, but prefer those with the bird sharp. Once the bird gets a little blurry, the image becomes more of a landscape or seascape image, in my opinion.

[@WildlifeInspired]

All personal preference! Just hoping to inspire a few to try a different approach and see if it works for them.

[@georgemorrison9499]

Just love it. Well presented . Just the inspiration I needed

[@WildlifeInspired]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@attiksystem]

Brilliant video, I loved it! Thanks for sharing!

[@cliftonwhittaker260]

Scott, I am a really big fan of small-in-frame bird photography. But for the last few months I've taken it a step further. I've found that some of these images become really stunning when cropped to 9x16. Of course they have to be exceptional images to start with. Then cropping them this way can turn an exceptional image into real wall-hanger art. Try it on a few of yours and see what you think. Like I said, it doesn't work on all of them, but the ones it does work with become stunning wildlife art.

[@joanneabramson2645]

There is a calming, Zen feel to these photos. Not cluttered. Like a sailboat on the ocean in a calm sea. A relaxing image.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks!

[@Shawn-dg8ow]

That Nashville Warbler. ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@WildlifeInspired]

and a nemesis bird for me!

[@Digital_Art_Stylz]

Hi Scott, great video/content. I’m new to wildlife photography and your channel; been exploring nature/environmental photography for a while. Something I really enjoy. Super excited to hear that mixing the two is a valid form of wildlife photography. 😁 Very much enjoying your content 👍

[@WildlifeInspired]

Welcome aboard!

[@julianplasencia1374]

Well done. One of the best “think about wildlife photography differently” videos I’ve seen. Thank you Scott!

[@WildlifeInspired]

Wow, thanks!

[@andy_allen]

Thanks, this is a great video. I already favor this style in my beginner wildlife photography but didn’t realize it was an established thing. While I love crisp close-ups and sharp details, I like the context of surroundings and atmosphere of negative space more. I now understand what, why and how. Thanks again.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Glad it was helpful!

[@manuelamanaraguarneri]

"Small in frame" gives me the opportunity to be more artistic. When I shoot to fill the frame it gets all about sharpness and timing, but there is not much I can do in terms of composition, considering that usually I can't change my position because the subject would just go away. With this types of photos I have more wiggle room with composition and settings. Thanks for this video that gives me the chance to reflect more consciously about it.

[@absolu222]

This video really resonated with me! Great content and thanks for the video!

[@WildlifeInspired]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lisamarie7527]

So glad you brought this topic to light! I adore small in frame images! Wish I could showcase more of them in my own work. I try hard not to crop in too much. It’s too bad social media can be cruel to the SIF style. To see this style on a large screen or a print can be so pleasing. So great to see some Patreon images also. That’s some great talent. Thank you Scott for the motivation to get back out and focus on minimalism and composition with small in frame images. Cheers from Canada

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks my good friend. You're one of the best. One of my stars.

[@lisamarie7527]

@@WildlifeInspired thanks Keys!

[@Marleydia]

Scott, I really appreciate this type of content. I’ve been shooting for 2 years as a weekend warrior, so I’m still learning a lot. These tips on composition and what makes a good photo are really great! While I appreciate a good bird portrait, I personally prefer more habitat (dirty). This content is rich with real instruction. Your videos make me want to take notes, and create challenges for my outings! It’s pretty grey in Ohio in the winter, but I will be out on sunny days to try these techniques! Thank you!

[@davewelfare2907]

Fantastic video. I found it very motivating because it can be frustrating always reaching for those tight 600 F4 looks, when you don’t have such equipment and can’t afford it. And if I’m honest, I enjoy these smaller in frame environmental shot as much or more. Really enjoying your channel.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks Dave

[@rschellie]

I have noticed that on social media prefer filling the frame but if they want something to hang on the wall they tend to prefer small-in-frame. Another important thing about wall hangers, tone and color becomes more critical.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Agree

[@kurtkemnitzer]

I love small in frame but for me it has to be intentional, meaning I need to start my shoot with the idea of that is what/how I want to compose. Otherwise I get tunnel visioned into other styles. Thanks for this wonderful video.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks. Glad you like it !

[@garymc8956]

A lot of the effectiveness of these images seems to be in breaking compositional rules. Makes you look and appreciate rather than being just a shot of a small bird. Lots to think about and makes me think about going back and looking at some of my previous compositions.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks for watching Enjoy the challenge

[@nicokremers7150]

Thank you for making me aware of this style.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Any time!

[@fredericbeudot822]

Excellent video Scott; this is indeed my favorite style by far but your video gave me all sorts of ideas to push and challenge myself further. Not many photographers on KZbin emphasize this approach; you and Ray Hennessy are the only two I am aware of. Thanks for such an inspiration.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Great to hear!

[@ivan11cast]

🔥🔥😍Amazing tips and great fotos WOW!! This type of photography is personally more exciting/beautiful/unique/fun/challenging, just everything !!!...( And Because everyone and their grandmother has portait fotos of birds on Instagram, which get boring🤦)

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks Ivan

[@edbritelight7683]

Hey Scott, I just love your channel! Very inspiring content and your comments are highly educational! Great talent in teaching and photography!!

[@WildlifeInspired]

Appreciate this so much. Thanks !

[@JaminTaylor]

This is a subject I’ve been wanting to talk about

[@WildlifeInspired]

Well now I did it for you 😂

[@timseward19]

Excellent, I prefer small in frame but find it far more difficult to get a really pleasing shot like these. Fell in love with Nikki Nobles shot, that's a real wall hanger for sure. This is in my top 5 for this year, so glad I didn't walk away. As I seem to say every time, effort shows, and your channel is at the top for me.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Awesome !

[@peterlebengood7160]

Great topic!!! I really enjoy this style. I find myself moving more and more in this direction. There is a very relaxed feeling to this style of photography. You really do a wonderful job of presenting photographic options and opportunities that are often overlooked these days. I hope you do more videos on this topic.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks for the feedback. Content is tough. I try to balance and it's nice to show some things that others aren't talking about as much.

[@charlesdavis6371]

great topic wonderfully done - TY.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@garymc8956]

Depth of field and focus control seems to be key factors. Thanks

[@MrTmiket0007]

Thanks for sharing another wonderful video like always

[@WildlifeInspired]

My pleasure

[@albireo9]

Seems like most adored bird photos focus on the bird only with a milky "bokeh" background with no context, no habitat, no real-world reference. As for me, show me the location. The atmosphere. The landscape. The emotion. Where the bird lives & feeds & thrives.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Both work, I like habitat!

[@jackstutts6439]

Definitely something for me explore Scott. Coming from a bird watcher background I really have to fight the desire to get up close and personal with my subjects.

[@WildlifeInspired]

No right or wrong. Just preference

[@4gharpure]

Loved the video. I am going to try now.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Have fun!

[@craigpiferphotography]

I'm always wanting to fill the frame, just something I've always attempted (not always successfully) with my photography. One of my favorite recent images is of an American Goldfinch that landed on some grasses, and there was no way I could fill the frame. It was summer, so the grass was dry/brown, which really accented the colors of the bird. It turned out well and fits perfectly with what you are talking about. I need to keep pushing myself to capture environmental shots, not just portraits, of the wildlife.

[@WildlifeInspired]

It's nice to experiment and tastes definitely change

[@craigwallace166]

Another great video! I find myself falling into the “fill the frame guy” I think that stems from when I was a hunter and the macho thing was to get that big trophy head. I like the more smaller in frame for its artistic look, and also for showing the environment they live in which has more of a story theme. I would like to do more small in frame, for me I have to become better at looking through the frame and become better at composition.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Good stuff!

[@HK-sp1pl]

This is excelent stuff.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks!

[@Jessehermansonphotography]

I think small in frame looks better on a print because it show’s environment or a lot of color.

[@johnlangford7788]

great video

[@WildlifeInspired]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@alandimery3379]

Inspiring video, thanks. I always crop tight to my bird images. I will have to force myself to do as you suggest. As someone below has mentioned, the 'small in frame' images look great in print rather on something like Facebook.

[@WildlifeInspired]

This can be true but you'd be surprised that some smaller subjects can do really well if the scene is just right

[@neilcole3406]

Interesting stuff

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks!

[@kerrygrim7934]

This was great. I loved the one of the Common Yellowthroat with the yellow on the right side, leading your ey right up to the bird. While I don't do a lot of bird photography as my longest lens is an f4 (full frame body) I do try for these type of photos. They have much more meaning to me than most portraits. Not at all impressed by the 100s of closeups of Bald Eagles (about 97% not very sharp) and a background that is totally distracting. Just subscribed and will look back on your other videos. BTW, check out Trond Westby on KZbin, a bird photographer from Norway that does closeup at eye level with very out of focus backgrounds.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Trond is excellent

[@LouisaLee63]

I love a nice tight closeup, but sometimes the birds don’t cooperate. When I first started taking their photos I’d not take the small in frame shots or I’d crop them too much. Now I’m sort of halfway. Still like the closeups but beginning to appreciate the small in frame.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Thanks!

[@jlr3636]

I’m struggling between artistic and technical. Part of me wants that razor sharp detail close-up, part wants the bird in its environment shot. I want to be a better photographer than a photoshop technician. I love to spend time out in the field but struggle sitting at the computer. I have to admit the deeper into Photoshop/Lightroom I get the easier and faster it becomes. I can spend hours watching a Song Sparrow singing on the top of a Laurel Sumac.

[@WildlifeInspired]

I guy that knows plants Nice!

[@deanseldon5640]

Great video. Can you do a edit for us 👍

[@WildlifeInspired]

I do the editing on patreon LOTS of it. check it out

[@owenpeller6471]

Small in frame really needs to be special to be any good. Most of these are not that special and not that good.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Please link us to your work so we can see what good looks like

[@_brushie]

I tried looking it up, so sorry if I missed this and you already made a video about it. How do you go about printing your work? I was looking just more into dealing with image sizing, the old 300 dpi rule is still the norm, and scaling up to bigger photos or what printing service you use. Maybe even calendar advice, don't know if I'm at the skill level of selling them, but just seeing my work on something physical would be cool.

[@WildlifeInspired]

Ill try to do something on printing soon. viewing distance matters a lot with selecting DPI. 300 for close viewing is the "rule" 240 for almost all normal wall art is fine as its not often viewed close. You CAN even go down to 150 for large pieces viewed from distance.