7 Elements that make you a great Bird Photographer - Bird Photography Secrets Revealed - Jan Wegener
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- Опубликовано: 12 июл 2024
- Had to mute the beginning of the video - sorry! There's sound from 1 min
In my last video, we looked at "The 7 Elements of the Perfect Bird Image", so I wanted to look at 7 Elements I believe will make you a better Bird Photographer next. There are many elements that make you successful in Bird Photography, but I think these 7 are key. Some might surprise you.
Understanding and incorporating these bird photography elements will allow you to gain a better understanding of what's needed to take great bird images consistently.
Let me know in the comments what you think. Have I missed a Bird Photography element? What's the most important to you?
"The 7 Elements of the Perfect Bird Image"
• The 7 Elements of the ...
Check out my video on Manual Mode Video for further details on how I use it and how it helps me to be a better bird photographer.
• Shoot Manual Like a Pr...
Wondering about exposure? Check this out!
• MASTERING EXPOSURE - G...
Not sure how you can get smooth and out of focus backgrounds?
• How to get amazing Bac...
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Free Ebook - 5 Common Mistakes Almost Every Bird Photographer Makes And How To Avoid Them-
👉 aviscapes.com/free-ebook
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NEW Ebook - How To Attract Amazing Birds-
👉 aviscapes.com/attracting-birds/
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Instagram
👉 / jan_wegener_
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Hello Jan,
I am a very new photographer with the absolute minimal equipment and experience( I do not even have a tripod). I have been trying to get into photography of birds it for around 3-4 months, I really love them. Your videos are very helpful and I hope to use them in the future. I have no experience with editing, but I have started an Instagram account and hope to get better soon using advice and experiences. Thank you for these videos!!
Yaids hey,
What’s your account? Glad you like my videos. Fingers crossed you will get a lot of nice photos soon
@@jan_wegener
My account is @_finch_photography_ and I am actually a part of the Bogan Birders chat. I believe you are in the chat too.
@@yaids9352 yep
This is the best video on bird photography.
thanks a lot :)
Thanks for taking the time to make the video. I learned so much and it will make me a better photographer.
Great to hear! Thanks for your comment
Brilliant. Some more great advice and a beautifully crafted video, to boot. Thanks again.
Thank you :)
You’ve provided us an opportunity the see the VERY BEST bird photography I’ve seen here. I think Audubon would prosper having access to your amazing shots. Yo certainly have hit on what many of us (me) lack..preparation, patience and perspiration . As amateurs, we (me at least) will wander about and be happy with whatever shots we get. And we (me) will often quit too soon. I too am new to your channel.
Thanks a lot Jim! Nothing wrong with just a few nice grab shots. It always depends on what we want to get out of our photography.
Outstanding advice! You have no idea how nice it is to watch a video that promotes the importance of knowing you gear rather than how lens or camera x,y, or z is going to magically make you a better photographer. Thanks Jan!!!
Steve S. That’s a great point! I have seen many people with the most expensive gear who didn’t know how to change a setting or bring up the histogram. Great helps but it’s overrated
Gear
Love your videos so much! Look forward to every upload! Very helpful information that isn't complicated 🙌
Karlie Larson that’s what I aim to do. Great to hear, thanks 😊
I’m new to your channel and I must say your channel is one of the most educational, inspirational and well produced channels on bird photography on RUclips. Thank you so much.
MyHumanWreckage thanks a lot for your kind words, much appreciated
@@jan_wegener Nederlandsch?
@@damianow.6114 German
Great video as always! Thanks so much Jan!
Eduardo Angielczyk thank you!
Extremely well done. I primarily shoot landscapes but occasionally dabble in bird photography. This video was both practical and entertaining. With regard to editing, it is part and parcel of photography. Shooting raw and sensible editing is absolutely necessary to achieve the best images.
Ed Sanford glad to hear that Ed 👍😊
Thank you Jan for the inspiration
For sure the best basic knowledge video I ever saw!
Sen Seo Great to heat, thanks
Love every second of your focusing and encouraging advice. My favorite teacher, Jan Wegener is an esteemed researcher I admire wholeheartedly 🦜
Bimm BeckBimm thanks for your kind words 😊
Jan this is superb information. Thank you so much for your generosity!!!
Linda Leman glad you enjoyed it Linda
Jan, thank you a lot for giving all those advices, spending your time with us. I really appreciate and admire your work.
Fernanda Fernandex thanks for your kind words
Brilliant! Thanks so much for sharing those tips.
Adrienne West glad you enjoy them!
Outstanding Jan. Great tips. I will be out in my patio tomorrow setting up perches. "You Da Man....!!!"
lounicksic thanks! Good luck
Another awesome video mate, having spent time with you in the field it is clear how you implement these 7 elements with great success, the community is lucky to have you share all of your knowledge. Great stuff!!
Duade Paton thanks mate! Will see you soon! Still have to watch your latest videos, you post them faster than I can watch them
Thanks Jan for another great video! Most informative. Greetings from Germany.
Detlef Kruse Danke !
Excellent, I have long been waiting to see whats behind the curtain as to how you edit your photos. Really looking forward to those upcoming editing videos!
Another great video, great tips Jan
Ruben Montero thank you!
Beautiful photos! Amazing work.
Many thanks!
Another great lesson! Looking forward to your new editing videos.
Kimberly Roberts thanks 😊
Your photos are breathtaking and very worthwhile advice. Thank you. I agree with you about editing.
David Roach glad you enjoyed it David!
Thanks Jan, I really enjoy your videos. Editing photos is one of my favorite aspects of photography. I can't understand why some people avoid it. Keep up the great work!
Kris C yes, it’s such an important part! Thank you
Thank you Jan!
You are so welcome! Thanks
Thanks for the GREAT VIDEOS.
you're welcome :)
Great video Jan 👍 Lots of useful tips
Adrian Ludlam thank you!
Hi Jan! I have learn few new things each time I watch your videos. Hope to meet you if you visit Canberra. Bird photography is so interesting once you get engage in it. Many thanks to you who generously teach specific techniques and encourage ppl like me every time to get the best photo and more importantly to get closer to mother nature.
archon301 thanks for your comment 😊 yes it’s a great way to connect with nature
Your shots are more like a wonderful Audubon book than any I have ever seen. The diversity in your area is stunning.
Beautiful vwork!
phooesnax thank you 😊😊
Hey Jan
Just getting started in Photography.
I have been birding for a while
Started watching your videos today and searching for you on other outlets.
Thanks for doing these videos your work is amazing and very inspirational.
Chris Beckett great to hear you’re finding my videos helpful. Check out my Instagram for daily content and my websites for more images and helpful products.
A very informative video. Thank you!
Desi Baba glad you liked it!
Thanks for the most helpful information. Cheers Peter
Peter Emerson you’re very welcome Peter
Thanks for your video and being so open😊
Roshan Wright you’re welcome 😊
Great learning session Jan, as always; thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Beautiful shots !!
Aheroy Aheroyal Productions thanks !!
I think it's great to edit Bird photography ..same as when we used to go into the darkroom..thank You Jan
Glad you enjoyed it
Excellent tips, many thanks
My pleasure!
Jan seems to approach photography, exactly the way I approached fishing for much of my life, which is to say, I NEVER just went out blindly, hoping to just get lucky. Instead, I researched and considered every aspect. And I did everything I possibly could, to maximize my odds at catching the trophy I was after. Now that my life has shifted primarily to photography, I go about it exactly the same way. I want to do everything I possibly can to maximize my odds of bringing home that "trophy catch" :) Its obvious to me why Jan is one of the best bird photographers out there ! It's sure not blind luck ! TY Jan.
Thanks mate! When I made some of my videos in the field, I actually thought about fishing shows a lot and how they make them interesting
loved this buddy, top vid!!!! x
Glad you enjoyed
Thank you ...
norman plant 😊😊😊
Wonderful video, informative. Thanks.
Glad it was helpful!
Excellent content, thanks so much 👍 Greetings from Uruguay
ine Brause thank you! Glad you enjoyed it
Beautiful shots,great ideas
Glad you enjoyed it
Great video. Very informative. Photo editing is definitely an integral part of my birding experience. It takes my images to the next level of how I want to present my images.
So true!
Thanks, Jan. This has been very helpful, particularly the part about editing. I just followed you on Instagram.
great! There are a lot more editing videos to come
Hi Jan, Your so lucky to have so many colourful birds to photograph, Thank you for all the tips
i can't wait to try out some, especially the birds in flight. Keep doing what your doing.
Yes, it's great to have some cool birds around!
Always happy to help :)
I’m an enthusiast and although I will not wish to go on social media (I just don’t) I really appreciated your video. Thanks for your help.
No one has to, but there are benefits :) Thanks for watching and your comment
you are a Master ...
thanks :)
I like your channel, and have learned a lot from you. Great job!
My mother had gifted me a book on Australian birds when I was 10. Now I'm 49, have a Canon 75-300 zoom, and hope to get a better lens to revive my passion.
Back in my childhood, I thought that it was a bird photographer I want to be!
Thank you :) It's certainly quite a diverse and interesting job, that can also be boring at times, especially when it comes to doing all the editing
Just discovered you and I am hooked.
Ian Cowie great 😁
A new subscriber/follower. Blown by the amazing content/education you put out. Here to learn and grow. Newish to bird photography and have a basic sony 200-600G lens. Your Facebook profile /cover picture is out of the world!!!!
Awesome, thank you! Yes, that's one of my favourite images! That;s an awesome lens you got there!
Hi Jan, great video. I believe that processing the image is where the artistic part of myself transform an interesting pictures in beautiful images. Editing allows me to be pround of my work 👍
Well said!
amazing thanks for sharing
Glad you enjoyed watching it
@@jan_wegener by the way I am bhavyesh_photography from instagram
Niki Printers good to know 👍
I used to think that it was a big taboo to edit your photos. Then I saw other photographers I admire doing it so I took that as permission that I could do it too!
Raygan Earl there’s really no good argument for not doing it. Nothing crazy but getting them to be the best they can be
I used to think that too, but then I started thinking about it and remembered the guy who worked in the mini lab next to where I worked, used to adjust lighting on people's photos. He didn't like leaving the machine to do auto adjustments.
Fast forward 20+yrs and I realised that if if was happy for my film photos to be adjusted, I should be happy to have the same and almost always better, adjustments made to my digital photos.
Simple but very useful tips. Happy subscriber 😇🙏🏻
Thank you so much 🙂
Have watched a few of your videos and am very impressed with the end result images so looking forward to your PP video I hope sooner than later. Also I was looking at the Better Beamer but have been reading that after time it tends to sag down from the speedlight and also looking at the MagMod option wonder if you have tried that one? Thankyou Russ.
Russell Webb yes I will get on to a few different projects about editing soon. Yes it is a bit flimsy at times. I haven’t used the magmod myself, but it’s much bigger and heavier
Hi Jan i went out yesterday and took a few shots of birds flying with some of the settings you mentioned, i was really happy with some and got it wrong with others but its a case of getting the light right so will keep practicing. Thanks again.
Great to hear, yes, light is important!
danke für deine gedanken jan. grüße aus der heimat
Thomas Müller Grüße zurück 😊
New viewer here Jan, great images and wonderful advice, only thing, can you get some of those colourful birds and plants over to us here in the UK :-)
hehe, I can see if I can pack you a care package :D
Very useful video...looking forward to your editing videos... To learn your style of editing
santosh mahalik thanks! Just working out the best ways to do them
Love your videos. Still not grasping HS flash in bird photography.
Steve Kunder that’s great to hear. Did you watch my video about using flash?
smart man
Remy Buitenhuis hehe thanks
Super birdes nice sound
thanks!
Thanks Jan, great Info. I am still working on it!! Learning your equipment for sure is where I am now. Nikon d7100 kit lens 55-200 really crappie, I notice that at a full 180mm + a larger f# like f11-f22 for long distance shots seems to be better, I think I need to work with a mono or tripod to get sharper images?? Lots of learning but fun. All the best.
Some of the cheaper zoom lenses become pretty average quality at the long end. So there’s not much you can do. Stopping down too far will decrease sharpness. You should be getting the best results around F8z if you don’t feel like you’re shaking a lot, I don’t think you’d need s tripod for a small lens. It might be more hassle than help
Many thanks for your content. I'm the new one who will follow you in the future.
Awesome, thank you!
Sweet video! What are you using to record the video footage of the birds? It looks super clean!
jasonmhorton I’m using my 5D Mark Iv and 600 L IS II for that
Excellent common sense advice. Thank you Jan. Now I just need to get off my bum and have a go.
Col VK5HCF let’s gooo 😁
Great job on your videos and photos. My question is how do you keep your perch branches fresh looking? Mine seem to last maybe a half hour only before the leaves or blossoms noticeably start drooping. Your climate does seems to be a bit more arid perhaps.
Mark Jensen I try to pick perches that will last at least for an hour. And I put them in water as well when I transport them. Some plants you just cannot use cause they die too fast
Have you ever used a camera trap with a laser beam and if so which model do you suggest.
Fran Roush I haven’t, so cant really help with that sorry
Thanks for another great video - what sites do you like to use for trip reports. I've found some one e-birds but hope there are others.
Brian Rudolph I often just use google and try a few different terms. I have not used Ebird much. There’s often helpful travel blogs written by people
One of my best bird photos _ever_ was taken just so - a Banded Martin that sat on on _one_ particular scrubby little bush in the middle of a fairly flat field. I noticed he flew off but came back to that little shrub. Each time I moved my stool _just_ a little bit closer. I got a _stunning_ photo. And I use a Canon Powershot SX60HS.
awesome!
What a great educational video !! I'm new to birds Photography, I'm in other areas of photography. The biggest problem for me in your tutorial is how to get to know the names of the birds .. is there a shortcut to try and do it so i can take some photos a know who i'm dealing with?
Uri Ishay thanks! Id use ID apps or a google search. Hopefully you can quickly can a rough idea of the kind of bird you’re looking it and then narrow it down from there
Hi Jan! Thanks for all the great tips! I just bought a R6 and have a 300mm f/4 is. I was wondering why my images weren't crisp. I can't wait to go from f4 to f8 or f11 tomorrow!
Great to hear! Hopefully that will help a bit
ruclips.net/video/GljQh3hVgks/видео.html
This video might give you some more insights as well.
I love your videos I learned so much from you. Do you crop your pictures that you use in the videos.
Great to hear Walter. Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't, depends on the image
Wow - Research and Preparation! It took me _over a year_ to get my photos of a shy little grey and white bird with a bar across his throat called a Bar-Throated Apalis... Got him eventually.
well done!
Great video, thank you! Very useful to have some base settings to start with. May I ask what base settings you start with for birds in motion like the photo of the duck you took?
Probably at least 1/1000 or higher if things move
So Nice... Where do you find those awesome flowered perches of all tones and colors... Aside of the stuning birds Australia offers, it looks like the vegetation is as unique and colorful...
Many awesome plants here in Australia! Best to find someone with a yard full of pretty flowers :)
Have been trying out your BBF and it’s made a terrific difference, much sharper. I v much enjoy the editing side as well. I use Lightroom - would like to be better with the LR cloud so can edit on the hoof. I’m new to your channel and am looking forward to going through it. Do you ever shoot with Micro four thirds - says she, hopefully?!
Great to hear, cheers. No, only Canon full frame for me
Thanks Jan, another great inspirational video I'm just in awe of your attention to detail and the fantastic shots you achieve - as said before a video on your approach to post processing would very useful or perhaps a video or ebook for purchase would assist pay for your time and effort - I'd also appreciate your advice on a suitable pair of binoculars - I currently use my wife's 8x40 but the clarity is very ordinary and Pizzey & Knight's Birds of Australia is a good app to learn bird calls? Cheers Colin
Colin Wright thanks Colin! I think I will do both some RUclips videos and a comprehensive ebook or video tutorial. I am using Minox binoculars. Also just 8x40 I think. The best ones by far are Swarovski
@@jan_wegener Thanks Jan, I'm looking forward to seeing the post processing info - another great topic is a guide on how to recognise bird calls - thanks for the info on binoculars - the Swarovski ones are very expensive so I'll have a look at the Minox and Nikon ones methinks
@@colinwright8651 Yes. I found Minox to be good value for money if you buy it in the US (8x42 - $500ish). I thought it was pretty great until I used a Swarovski, which was so much brighter and clearer
I am a big fan of u. I became interested in Bird photography after watching your videos. Can u suggest a good binoculars please. Thank you.
Thank you :)
Personally I am using a 8x42 Minox. It was around $800. It's not as amazing as a Swarowski, but does the job
Hi very nice and precise tutorial. I like a lot. Just one question while using tripod are you using image stabilization or switching it off?
Thanks. I always leave it on
@@jan_wegener thanks
Hi Jan, thanks for the information. Learning about birds and especially their call, truly is a must! A quick technical question, I am a Canon user as well, and I would appreciate if you could share some wisdom on which AF settings you use and why? Single point? Zone AF? Acc/dec tracking, auto switching etc. My 5D IV often struggles with focus acquisition and I wonder if I am to blame.
Thanks a lot,
Felix
Felix De Lubersac that’s an interesting one. I have struggled with that for a while as well. I use back button focus. Single AF point with the surrounding pints activated. AF case 1 with sensitivity and acceleration set one step below 0 and AF point switching set to 1
Jan Wegener thank you for taking the time to reply! Will give it a shot
Thank you so much for your great videos! Please give some advice on perch set ups in winter. You can't pound perches or stands into the frozen ground in Michigan and when I use an old tripod to hold the perch the birds perch on the tripod knobs instead of the perch. Does that mean my perches aren't sturdy enough? Really struggling with winter perches.
Peg Runyan hi, yes winter makes it hard. Generally if the perch is smaller than the tripod head/arm the birds will go for the latter, because they look more sturdy to them. You could try to cover them with small flimsy branches or snow to stood the birds from landing in them
Hey Peg, What I do about the birds perching on the handle of the tripod is use something fluffy and soft that birds find unstable. It works great and they go right to the perch! Sayin' hey.... Greg
@@gregwilsonnaturephotography Thanks Greg, I'm thinking about getting some stringy plastic plants from Hobby Lobby, will something like that work?
@@pegrunyan9506 I tend to use Spanish moss that is kind of soft and bunchy really anything that would not hold the weight of the birds so they have no support to land on. Greg
I'm off out into the garden now to see if I can get anything !
good luck!
@@jan_wegener 1 blue tit in 40 minutes ... 😟
@@Biscuit761YT better than none! It takes time sometimes. And sometimes one is all you need
Thanks for the tips Jan. One Question. How you get those very nice light backgrounds. Is this because of the flash?
Hey, it's mainly a mix of being in the right spot, exposing properly
You can check out my video on backgrounds here:
ruclips.net/video/d1m_mOsDrFs/видео.html
I'm curious about the use o flash in this kind of photography. I never imagined you can do this with a telephoto in such long distance. Can you explain this technique, please? Thank you and congrats for your pics!
Rodrigo Remedios I made a video on that 👍
ruclips.net/video/Gb7e2cfgrPg/видео.html
@@jan_wegener awwwww I asked a similar question. I had even scrolled down looking to see if others had inquired . Guess I scrolled right past this. Thank you.
Another fantastic video Jan !
By the way, Do you have account on 500px ? ( I can't find you there.. )
N G no, I am most active on Instagram. And have my website. Aviscapes.com but need to upload more images
HI! Do you set your ISO manually? Thank you!
beakpics always 👍😊
Do you set your flash to high speed sync when your shooting?
Good video although a bit high level. Provides food for thought, but light on tools for implementing. Could use more specific tips like the one about shooting a light colored branch to check exposure. This begs for a series of videos, each focusing on one of your seven points. For example, you could have a video on conducting research and reveal your favorite websites for checking on what birds are where.
Did you see my video about Exposure? That should explain it. ruclips.net/video/dicPTGRL45E/видео.html
My favourite website for research is google
I got my R5 a few weeks ago and am now contemplating lenses. I don't have the budget for a f4 prime lens and was hoping to hear your thoughts about the f11 RF mount 600 and 800mm lenses for bird photography. Any chance of a video reviewing these lenses anytime soon?
I am hoping to get my hands on them soon. But no specific date just yet
Rohan - the new Canon? Oh my! Lucky you! What lens did you get to go with it?
@@suecollins3246
So glad I waited and waited for a RF 100-500. An amazing lens and the combo makes shooting birds in flight a joy.
Hi Jan quick Q: I'm looking at purchasing a Benro GH2 tripod gimbal. I'm recently unemployed so I have to be careful with money, but Im thinking its a smart move given Im always using heavy lenses. What are your thoughts? thank you!
Linda Leman sorry to hear that. I have only ever used wimberley gimbals. So I cannot really comment on the others unfortunately
How do you get the bird so clear and the background so blurred. I am using a telephoto and if you use F8 I would think the back ground would not be blurred unless using a wide open fstop.
Sandie Bock it’s all about your positioning
Check out my video on backgrounds
ruclips.net/video/d1m_mOsDrFs/видео.html
Hi Jan 👋🏻 I have a question. Where do you focus when a bird is facing straight forward?
I still try to focus on the eyes
Hi. I notice that in some rare shots of yours, the bird's eye looks a bit bright, a bit like a bird version of red eye due to flash.
Do you draw the line at editting "red eye" out of the shot?
I love your channel, even though I take 99% of pictures of my kids. Some of the behaviour is the same, so your tips and processes are helpful. 😃
G J which images? There are many birds with bright red eyes in Australia. That’s never caused by the flash
I'll have to get back to you with the answer: I have to rewatch a lot of you videos to find an example.
If I can't find anything in the next 7 days, I'll let you know as well.
Thanks for the reply.
@@jan_wegener Hi. I must apologise, I went through all of your videos that I have watched and did not find any examples. I think I was wrongly remembering your Mastering Flash video, where you had purposefully shown the effects of using the flash wrong.
On the up side, I should go back and watch your videos again properly, because in my quick skim through looking for examples, I noticed things that I didn't notice the first time I had watched them. I probably also should watch your videos earlier in the night and not when I am tired before bed!
Thanks again for your informative videos.
@@gjjohnso hehe, thanks :) enjoy
I have two problems.
1. I don't dedicate enough time to do birding and bird photography.
2. As birding camera I use a Nikon P900 and the image quality is not as good with a lot of noise and the bokeh is not the same level as bigger cameras.
I have a 35mm but only with short lenses and I don't want to expand on it. I have identified a new on the market 200-600mm lens I would like to buy and a new 35mm body to use with it. I hope to buy it this year.
Sounds like a plan 👍
Looks like I'm the luddite here. I only use DPP. It does what I want : cropping, sharpening and adjusting colour every now and then. I'm unsure if the lens adjustment is useful.
The main problem with DPP is that it is not exactly well documented.
It does a good job, but pretty clunky to use.
What lens size do you use?
Sandra McMillan-Cato canon 600 mm prime
I started on film. Each time we expose paper with the negative. How this was done directly effected the resulting image. Dodge and burn for example is a digital tool that originated as a physical tool in the dark room. So, to me playing with exposure and the like in camera raw is EXACTLY the same thing and do not understand the vitriol against it.
exactly!