Trying my DIY Photography blind & learning ropes of wildlife photography - my first day out

This morning I went out to a small creek to try out my DIY photography blind, which I made from an old tent. As a wildlife photography beginner that was the first thing that came to my mind equipment wise.
Well, it's a painted old tent and I was curious, how it can suit this purpose. Spoiler alert - it is noisy, but works nicely, especialy for the entry level. With no other blind experience it is hard to evaluate the result - I think, time will tell how practical it is.
As for the next time - scouting hike is in plans instead of a stationary hide.
I am a beginner in this niche field, so if you have any comments - please, let me know. What was your experience? Do you see hides as essential part of the toolkit?
Thank you for tagging along.
Places to continue the conversation:
International IG: / mantas_zalk
Lithuanian IG: / mzalkauskas

[@davelock3166]

Great video. Home-made blinds or hides are great fun. I have been making them for over 30 years, and they don't have to be camo. have made them out of loads of different materials - even some were out of orange tarp! Wildlife is not upset upset by colours- but by movement. It's other people that they have to be made inconspicuous from. Have fun.

[@iamnotinthelivingroom]

Thanks! When hiding from people
- a universal approach is just not to look like one or like something worth visiting :) animals, trully, are forgiving. I am amazed how close I can drive to the animals and they stand there, still. But just as I move my hands off the wheel towards the camera... the sharade is over and they run run run 😁

[@michaellyons5208]

Excellent! I've been sketching out ideas for a DIY blind and it was great to see yours effective for you. Gives me some things to think about.

[@iamnotinthelivingroom]

Glad that was useful! 🙂

[@eduardofreitas8336]

Love it! Just "made" a blind out of a camping bathroom tent, cant wait to try it out! Do you notice if the birds can see you through the net?

[@iamnotinthelivingroom]

Not much. The important part is that you have to have cover behind you so that movements are not that visible and blend inn. If you have a see-through situation, where one end is covered with net and the back can be seen through - then it's a tricky situation, but other than that - all should be good.

[@martynasjocius]

🙌

Hi Mantas! Great video, really loving the BTS Angles You were able to capture. I recently started vlogging myself therefore I know how hard it is ;
) To my point: blinds are by far the best way to photograph wildlife BUT You need set in up in a propoerly scouted location. What do I mean by that? it's worth to go around with the binoculars and spot where does the wildlfie spend it's time. Is there maybe a stick that a small bird uses to sing often? or maybe a patch that roe deer use to go from the forest to the farm fields. It;s also highly beneficial for You to learn wildlife's behavior, and bird calls! When You do that Your photography will drastically improve! Greetings from Poland ;)

[@iamnotinthelivingroom]

Thank You, Grzegorz! This was my first time in a blind, testing the equipment and all - did not know what to expect as I have more experience with ghillie suits and hiding from people, not animals, and not blinds :) however, I see why this is such a valuable tool to bring to nature and why scouting is so valuable, as different places attract different species (or none at all). As I have zero knowledge in distinguishing birds, that's where I am tapping. Any blinds to recommend for a nice first blind?
And thank You again - it is really an uplifting thing to get such a long comment from a fellow enthusiast :)

@@iamnotinthelivingroom I've been photogrpahing from a tent just like yours with some masking net and brush on top for 6 years now, and I don't think a pro blind Would be better in any way. So here I think You are good to go ;) But if You really want a pro blind Tragopan and Bueto photo gear make good looking ones. For me a masking net is more than enough.

[@iamnotinthelivingroom]

Could not agree more - nets and natural camouflage as well as simple solutions most often work super well! I would see some benefit in the bigger blind as I could do my day job in it but let's start tracking animals and birds first :)

[@KevinNordstrom]

I use a one tigris smoky hot tent for my blind with cammo netting. Its not a pro blind but honestly I can use it for regular camping and photography. Its also extremely small and compact. Those pro blinds are bulky and won't fit in your pack. The only benefit a pro blind has in my opinion is multiple sides to use your camera out of instead of just the front. But that could be modified as well. Every time I almost purchase a pro blind, I revert back to the simplicity of my diy blind that does the same thing and carry less.

[@iamnotinthelivingroom]

I agree. Although Pro things have pro features - sometimes simple and less expensive (so you are not that afraid to destroy it on the way) is better. I think, blinds are in this category :)