Thank you for this. I was missing the good old days with you being on the field whithout gear reviews, just sharing your joy when doing what you love. I believe gear reviews is what "sells" nowadays but I enjoy much more watching your videos when you're outside and taking photos! Cheers!
Personally I love and appreciate his gear reviews. Not everyone can afford to try out the different lenses. And he still is out in the field, doing what he loves.
@@ladyethyme I hear you, but how often do you plan on buying new gear? If you've watched a couple dozen gear reviews and know enough about cameras, then you've seen all the reviews that you need. The rest of photography is, well, doing photography! That's what most people are going to want to see. I appreciate how good Duade is at thoroughly reviewing gear, but I'm not buying a new setup from a new brand every month lol.
I’m a 61 year old woman. I had an injury last year and told my physical therapist I needed 1 thing. To be able to get down and back up off the ground. She laughed when I told her why! It may not look graceful, but I can finally do it. I do find that getting low is not possible due to the brush and grasses that surround most wetlands. I’m trying to understand and experiment with foreground blur. Honestly I struggle with what is artistic and what just looks like the shot was blocked. Perhaps a video on that! Thanks for being willing to share all your knowledge!
Thanks for sharing, sorry to hear about your injury but happy to hear you can do it. I like foreground blur and is something I am trying to do more of. I think experimenting with these things and even breaking rules is a way to improve and take unique images. Good luck, Cheers, Duade
I absolutely prefer you being out with the camera - explaining your techniques. This video is particularly good - not too long (videos more than 20 minutes I usually postpone) and demonstrating one very important principle. I just got surgery with a new full right knee, so I will not get on the ground in the next few months. Our swans are white, but I found black swans i France that I photographed. They must have been imported by sailors centuries ago, I suspect. Thanks for sharing your easy-to-understand demonstration video. / Per Christensen, Denmark
Get well and get a lawn chair and a tripod (or free hand it) and keep shooting. When I broke my tibia years ago, I threw all my gear in a backpack, strapped a lawn chair to it, I'd drive to my local dam, post up in the lawn chair and shoot until I rain out of juice or storage. I couldn't work so it was the only way I kept sain.
Thanks for the feedback and sorry to hear about the knee injury, I hope all is well soon and you are able to get down in the mud with those beautiful White Swans. Cheers, Duade
We get a lot of birds visit our backyard. It's great being able to sit on the veranda with a glass of wine and photograph them at eye level as they sit in a tree less than 10 metres away.
Love your field videos Duade. Spot on as usual, and the love for birds shines through. A tip I use for birds in trees. 1. Back up and use your long lens to.decrease the angle the bird is up from you. 2. If you can place yourself on a hillside that is above the bird, you can in effect shoot at eye level. Canopy boardwalks are also great.
Thanks Duade! I've been checking for a new video in the past couple of days. I really enjoy your style of videos - very approachable and conversational, and always with a huge amount of love for what you do. I love these kinds of in-the-field content the most, although I'll also say as a newbie to photography overall, your backlog of product reviews has been invaluable in helping me choose affordable gear for me to start my own journey in wildlife photography. Cheers, and looking forward to the next in this series!
Another Great Video. It really shows what getting at eye level can accomplish. When I first started shooting, I always seemed to be on Embankment or Irrigation Ditch shooting down or shooting up in a tree. I would go home and be extremely disappointed in the shots I took. But now I often will maneuver to get shots at eye level if it can be done and it really does make a world of difference. Cheers and look forward to catching up on more tips and hands-on from someone who delivers such great content. Always appreciate.
Nice one Duade. In advancing years, as has been commented, getting down is just about doable, the problem is getting back up. Crouching is possible but only if a fence, tree etc is nearby to act as a support (the wife is too old now!) One thing you didn't cover is Canon's camera connect app (I guess other makes have their own versions) Never tried it myself but do remember seeing another RUclipsr use it to take low-angle shots of elephants while in a 4x4 on safari. Be interesting to know your opinions and that of any other viewers. Cheers
Love the video Duade! I've definitely been using these practices recently with great results albeit not getting quite as dirty laying in the mud - utilizing the flip screen and crouching in the mud instead. -Danylo
I was following a heron the other day. Seeing this video reminded me, that I forgot to squat down when I got close enough. Thank you for the reminder. Great video. Thank you.
Hi Duade, Another nice video. I've been using this technique for years partially from watching some of your earlier videos and using the same ground pod and a gimbal but I now leave the ground pod and gimbal at home as it's too cumbersome and I prefer to either just lie down holding the camera just above the mud in my hands or resting on a foam pad (which I bought from an auto parts supply shop and is actually a mechanic's knee pad). Sometimes I float my camera on the water using 2 kneepads duct taped together as sometimes the bank of the lake is about 20-30cm above the water and I want to get even lower and I crouch over my camera and use the lcd screen to aim. When I do lie down and use the viewfinder I'll lie down at right angles to the camera and turn the camera upside down to get a comfortable angle without straining my neck, this works better if you have a battery grip attached. I don't bother with wet weather gear usually just wear shorts and tee shirt and a sleeveless vest if it's cold or sometimes wetsuit shorts and sleeveless wet suit vest. I also use a flagpole harness with a monopod, which a guy in Florida developed/adapted for bird photography (Ron Bielefeld of Whistling Wings Photography: www.speed-shooter.com ). When I'm using this I usually just kneel down and use the lcd screen to aim as the harness supports the camera cm above the ground or water. Cheers Noel from New Zealand
Thanks for sharing your technique Noel, I agree the ground pod and gimbal do add weight to the setup that is for sure. I found with my big 500mm I just couldnt hand hold for long periods so went with the ground pod setup. That is interesting re the harness, others have mentioned this also. Cheers, Duade
Thanks for this reminder on a great technique. As a slight modification for, ahem us older photographers, I sit on my butt and recline and shoot between my legs. Depending on the surface it can be easier to roll up. Posting for a “friend”!
Duade, thanks for an amazing video as always! Would you be interested in once showing your post-processing routine? What dimensions do you prefer your pics to have, and what do you export settings from lightroom look like. Would love to hear! Thanks!
I don't necessarily agree that eye level is better as so much as it is different type of shot. Also a simple lawn chair might be a better option for most older photographers. That and a Tripod. Your Black Fronted Dotterel is very similar to our American Plover. They look and run around almost the exact same way. Now that even Panasonic is bringing RAW Pre Capture to it's sub $2000 FF cameras, hopefully this will soon be standard across the board. A proper Pro level stacked sensor cropped camera would be a Great new Option for most Canon Wildlife shooters. That along with allowing the Sigma 500mm 5.6 for it's users.
Another great video. I like this short tip format. I just got home from picking up a very lightly used RF 100-400 and RF 800 f/11 for a cracking good price. Your reviews and images really pushed me to get the 100-400 and the same seller just happened to have the 800 as well, so I got a bundle deal. Now, it’s time to get out and shoot some birds! I’ve been on a sort of sabbatical from shooting, so I’m really looking forward to getting out with my new lenses and my R7.
Guilty as charged. So many of my bird images are from that stood steep up angle. Enjoyed this one Duade, always great content, and the raw excitement is so infectious. Brilliant to see. 👏
Hi Duade. Really enjoyed this masterclass video format, learn/reinforce some important techniques and get to enjoy a short trip out with you photographing some of your beautiful Aussie birds. A great addition to the video formats you already do. I really enjoy your gear test videos as well, your testing and opinion/conclusions are very helpful indeed before I/we go out and invest substantial amounts of cash on new gear for bird/wildlife photography. Probably need another video on how to get back up again after getting down as low as I can go! 😊. John
As a learning photographer I am very excited to follow along with this series! I actually found your channel through your wonderful gear reviews, and I loved your perspective and how detailed you were, as well as your field testing. It helped me to decide on a few major gear upgrades for myself! Now that I have my new gear I'm excited to follow along your masterclass and learn how improve my techniques! Birding and bird photography is such a wonderful hobby and I'm glad I found a community of people who share that passion!
Great video, it's always a delight to see you in the field Did you know that you can turn the gimbal arm to the top position and then connect the camera upside down to get an even lower angle while using the groundpod? The gimbal arm works correctly and keeps the balance even if it's now upside down. Attaching the camera to the sky-pointing arm is definitely harder than in normal ground-pointing position as gravity is now working against you, but it will save a lot of height as you can then lower the camera platform so low that the lens would almost touch the gimbal head's base. This works at least with the two gimbal heads I have tested but should work with many others as well. Cheers!
Thanks Janne, great idea and a number of people pointed it out to me, not sure why I did not know this but very happy for the advice, I will be sure to try that next time, Cheers, Duade
Excellent video; A few years ago I understood the principle of bending down to improve the background in a macro photo context. Standing up, the background is green (grass) and at ground level it is yellow (stem and flower), but also it is further away and therefore more blurry (especially in M4/3). Since then I advise beginners to circle around the subject and choose the background before composing a frame. I'm too old to lie on the ground but I use a stool which positions the camera 80cm from the ground which with a very long focal length is sufficient; This tripod-shaped position is also very stable.
You’ve convinced me that I definitely need to buy that telephoto lens I’ve been wanting. I can’t wait to get out and photograph some birds and other animals. I also can’t wait for the next episode!
Really enjoyed this video Duade. Was great to see the 40D get a little air time too. Really helps us to remember it's not the gear - it might help, but really we can use what we got in our hands.
Though I've been doing wildlife photography for 15+ years I still loved watching this, during the winter when its muddy and there is snow on the ground I have a deer hide I preserved to keep my self from getting too cold and who needs a ground pod? No one, get in the dirt and use your elbows as the support.
I like the format. This is a great tip to start with. It was the first one I learned for wildlife photography. Get at eye level increase the connection with the subject.Can't wait for the next.
Very much appreciated!!!! These tips are things it's hard to learn unless you have a mentor.....!! Your enthusiasm and humour brightens my day. I love your gear review videos also, because I certainly cannot afford to go out and test all the new toys, and I am not so much a professional that I would even know what to look for. So I appreciate all of your videos !!❤
Yes I like this format. 👍 So your going to take some pictures with inexpensive gear, a $40 camera, about £70-90 here, then you throw a £500-600 lens on it! Not exactly cheap, nor is it horrendously expensive though, but you have a pretty decent piece of glass, glass is king, put crap glass on an expensive body, you have crap! I really am not trying to be too critical, but I think leaving the glass cost out is a bit of a disservice. As for the 40D, I have upgraded via the 7D and 7DII, dabbled with a couple of older FF bodies but I still love my 40D, it just seems to have something special to the pictures. I have to say I really liked the shot you took with the 40D, absolute proof that although the better gear makes shots a lot easier, the old gear can still perform. Thanks for sharing your experience, and very interesting to see a different set of nature from the other side of the world.
Morning Duade, I hope you're well. Steep angle shots? Guilty as charged. I have been working on it though. I prefer these 'how to -basic skills' videos because despite the equipment used the processes are, for the most part, the same. Thanks for the great video and keep up the good work. All the best.
Thanks Brian, glad you enjoyed the video, yes, I am still guilty of a few tree shots, there are of course always exceptions to the rules. Cheers, Duade
Another super video - I would really like one in low light as most of my shooting is in the forest - i saw one video when you were walking through the forest but would be good at dusk to see how low you can actually go
Thanks! Eye level is definitely better. I visit Florida and there are 4 nature preserves I go to but they all have boardwalks. Walking off trail is discouraged. Another precautionary is they all have alligators present.
That was quite useful to see the beginner vs experienced shot and especially the WHY. When I first started the video and saw the two I didn't even see that one was better than the other until you explained the WHY. Then I immediately saw the difference.
I always learn something from your videos, very refreshing 😊 By the way, I acquired a ground pod for quite sometime now, right after I saw it in one of your videos. However, please do not recommend a fried pan lightly, my wife would be happy to let me buy 10 pods. In a way, this idea may even cause an uproar when trying to turn an expensive pan to the pod 😁 Looking forward to your next videos 🎉
I totally agree with getting low whenever possible. I do that myself, but generally by tilting the back screen rather than lying on the ground. My question is - what do you do if that is just not possible such as you are in a hide, or vegetation at the edge of the water prevents?
Good question, I generally find another location to be honest, or just make the most of the situation. However it can be very hard to get the shots I am after from a hide or boardwalk etc. Either way I will try to get that lens as low as possible. Cheers, Duade
Great video! I really like the short and informative format, but really it’s your enthusiasm that adds that extra touch of enjoyability. It’s contagious and brings us along for the ride!
Thanks for reminding me. I have a new ground pod with gimbal sitting on the shelf waiting. Will get out soon and try some low level shots. So enjoy your informative videos.
Quick tip for DSLR users trying to do this, you can get a 90° angle attachment for your viewfinder, so you can look down into it instead of straight through it. Really saves your neck!
Although I am not a wildlife photographer, I do love taking pictures of wildlife and sometimes it is these simple things that set simple pictures appart from the rest. Thanks for doing this video. I will try to work on the tips you gave the next time I take pictures of wildlife.
Today I got over my ego at "looking silly crawling about on the ground. . ." - and was able to get some of the best shots I've managed so far in my short dabbling in photographing wildlife. Putting the viewer at the level of the subject is so obvious in other photography "genres" that I'm honestly kicking myself for appreciating that the same would apply to wildlife photography. . . .accordingly, I went to TARGET and grabbed a nice "mud ensemble" for my next outing.
I've always got bin liners with me to try and keep the worst of the mud off, but hardly ever manage to come home without a coating of mud. It saves me money though, as I'm too embarrassed to stop in the pub on the way home looking like a scarecrow.
Thanks Paul, good point re the rubbish bags, I have those in the back of the truck then hose off the gear when I get home. I don't think my wife would be too happy me putting the clothes in the washing machine full of mud :-) Cheers, Duade
Really enjoy this kind of video much more than the gear reviews. They both have their place, but learning the craft in the field from someone who is as good as you, is a real help, and I am sure many will agree.
@@Duade I was up at Narooma with the kids recently. Took the Tamron 150-600 and the RF70-200. Managed to snap some ducks in the park. Lying on the ground and people walking past looking at me like I was bonkers. The Tamron 150-600 is a heavy lens. So, handheld shooting isn't ideal. I have a gymbal (not used yet), but I want to get that platform that you use for ground level shots.
@@mjpt57 Narooma is a lovely spot, I remember getting good coffee there. Yes the ground pod helps, if you are handy you could make your own. Good luck, Cheers, Duade
Great video! Thanks Duade! I was wondering what brand of wet weather gear you use. I didn't see it in the gear links. Thanks for all the great content you make!
Great video and always good to go over the fundamentals of good bird photography, like being level whenever you can. Have you ever considered recommending a bridge camera to people on a very tight budget? Or people with mobility and health issues? The results are never going to match zoom lenses and good glass, but for a lot of people they give them the range and access to wildlife that they can't manage otherwise. I inured my shoulder recently and could only manage the lightweight Panasonic FZ82 bridge camera, but I still had great fun and some of the images were surprisingly decent (in good light) ATB MMMD.
A very cheap temporary solution...that I tend to use all the time: I put 2 foam (folding) sit pads on each other and put the lens on them. It gives a super low angle, although it's easy to miss the horizontal angle when turning....but it still works. Getting down low and learning how important the distance between background, subject and camera is are the 2 most common things that beginners miss. And it's also crazy how these 2 basic things can improve your photography.
I really enjoyed this video! This is the kind of videos that drew me to your channel. I appreciate the new gear reviews, but the how to videos are my favorite. I also enjoy seeing you use the older gear and the results. Great bird images and videos!
Yes, it's great teaching material for new photographers and a good sanity check for the more experienced. Nice to have he subject rather than too techy based content some others tend to focus on, keep em rollin'.
New to your channel and am really loving your way of explaining things, I recently had the ability to finally get some equipment - the om-1 and the 100-400 plus a teleconverter. I am really enjoying being out and capturing little moments of wildlife. I was wondering if you plan to do more videos on the om systems, I know your are mostly prefer canon, but I thought the om-1 has a good potential especially for people like me who are just starting and have a tighter budget :)! Thanks again for creating such wonderful content and inspiring so many of us.
Thanks for the support and joining the channel, congrats on the OM-1, a wonderful camera for the price that is for sure, I will try to use the camera in an upcoming video. Cheers, Duade
@@Duade I am really excited to see your upcoming videos! Watching your videos just before my trip to Dorset have been brilliant and really helped me get the shots I wanted.
Thank you for this. I was missing the good old days with you being on the field whithout gear reviews, just sharing your joy when doing what you love. I believe gear reviews is what "sells" nowadays but I enjoy much more watching your videos when you're outside and taking photos! Cheers!
Too right mate,infomercials get old time after time.
Personally I love and appreciate his gear reviews. Not everyone can afford to try out the different lenses.
And he still is out in the field, doing what he loves.
Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it, yes, always difficult finding a balance between gear reviews and in field videos. Cheers, Duade
Hopefully they are well made infomercials ;-)
@@ladyethyme I hear you, but how often do you plan on buying new gear? If you've watched a couple dozen gear reviews and know enough about cameras, then you've seen all the reviews that you need. The rest of photography is, well, doing photography! That's what most people are going to want to see. I appreciate how good Duade is at thoroughly reviewing gear, but I'm not buying a new setup from a new brand every month lol.
I’m a 61 year old woman. I had an injury last year and told my physical therapist I needed 1 thing. To be able to get down and back up off the ground. She laughed when I told her why! It may not look graceful, but I can finally do it. I do find that getting low is not possible due to the brush and grasses that surround most wetlands. I’m trying to understand and experiment with foreground blur. Honestly I struggle with what is artistic and what just looks like the shot was blocked. Perhaps a video on that! Thanks for being willing to share all your knowledge!
Thanks for sharing, sorry to hear about your injury but happy to hear you can do it. I like foreground blur and is something I am trying to do more of. I think experimenting with these things and even breaking rules is a way to improve and take unique images. Good luck, Cheers, Duade
I absolutely prefer you being out with the camera - explaining your techniques. This video is particularly good - not too long (videos more than 20 minutes I usually postpone) and demonstrating one very important principle. I just got surgery with a new full right knee, so I will not get on the ground in the next few months. Our swans are white, but I found black swans i France that I photographed. They must have been imported by sailors centuries ago, I suspect. Thanks for sharing your easy-to-understand demonstration video. / Per Christensen, Denmark
Get well soon!!!❤
Get well and get a lawn chair and a tripod (or free hand it) and keep shooting. When I broke my tibia years ago, I threw all my gear in a backpack, strapped a lawn chair to it, I'd drive to my local dam, post up in the lawn chair and shoot until I rain out of juice or storage. I couldn't work so it was the only way I kept sain.
Thanks for the feedback and sorry to hear about the knee injury, I hope all is well soon and you are able to get down in the mud with those beautiful White Swans. Cheers, Duade
Quite agree..... what drew me to Duade's videos in the first place were these in the field tutorials. Best part of the channel.
We get a lot of birds visit our backyard. It's great being able to sit on the veranda with a glass of wine and photograph them at eye level as they sit in a tree less than 10 metres away.
Sounds like a wonderful way to spend the afternoon. Cheers, Duade
Great bite-sized masterclass:) Looking forward to many more!
More to come!
Great idea for how budding wildlife photographers can learn the craft - the local duck pond! Thanks.😊
It was amazing seeing you employ this technique to get awesome results.
Love this content. I hope you do many more. You're a great teacher with your simple straight forward approach to the subject.
Thanks James, I appreciate the feedback, Cheers, Duade
Love your field videos Duade. Spot on as usual, and the love for birds shines through. A tip I use for birds in trees. 1. Back up and use your long lens to.decrease the angle the bird is up from you. 2. If you can place yourself on a hillside that is above the bird, you can in effect shoot at eye level. Canopy boardwalks are also great.
Short, but very sweet. More like this please Duade.
Thanks Duade! I've been checking for a new video in the past couple of days. I really enjoy your style of videos - very approachable and conversational, and always with a huge amount of love for what you do. I love these kinds of in-the-field content the most, although I'll also say as a newbie to photography overall, your backlog of product reviews has been invaluable in helping me choose affordable gear for me to start my own journey in wildlife photography.
Cheers, and looking forward to the next in this series!
Thanks for the feedback, I really do appreciate it, Cheers, Duade
Love it! I most enjoy learning while you are out in the field.
I'm happy that you were actually able to get your hands on the elusive 200-800mm.😊
Here in New Zealand these are easy to get within a few days of ordering them
@@noelchignell1048 I've been waiting 4 months now, being told that it may take as many as six months.
Yes, got mine in first batch thankfully, tough to get here also. Cheers, Duade
G'day mate, NZ must be hoarding the worlds supply, pretty sure its sold out here in Australia. Cheers, Duade
@@Duade Canon NZ is part of Canon Australia I think so that's a bit weird
Another Great Video. It really shows what getting at eye level can accomplish. When I first started shooting, I always seemed to be on Embankment or Irrigation Ditch shooting down or shooting up in a tree. I would go home and be extremely disappointed in the shots I took. But now I often will maneuver to get shots at eye level if it can be done and it really does make a world of difference. Cheers and look forward to catching up on more tips and hands-on from someone who delivers such great content. Always appreciate.
Thanks Bruce, yes, its surprising the difference it makes, glad to hear you are enjoying yourself. Cheers, Duade
Nice one Duade. In advancing years, as has been commented, getting down is just about doable, the problem is getting back up. Crouching is possible but only if a fence, tree etc is nearby to act as a support (the wife is too old now!) One thing you didn't cover is Canon's camera connect app (I guess other makes have their own versions) Never tried it myself but do remember seeing another RUclipsr use it to take low-angle shots of elephants while in a 4x4 on safari. Be interesting to know your opinions and that of any other viewers. Cheers
Love the video Duade! I've definitely been using these practices recently with great results albeit not getting quite as dirty laying in the mud - utilizing the flip screen and crouching in the mud instead.
-Danylo
Great to hear Danylo, I am working on another one now, Cheers, Duade
I went to a local pond recently and this content was ringing in my ears and I got some pretty good duck photos
I was following a heron the other day. Seeing this video reminded me, that I forgot to squat down when I got close enough. Thank you for the reminder. Great video. Thank you.
Glad I could help!
Totally agree on getting down low for birds on land or water. But at age 69, the getting down is not so hard but the getting back up sure is!
Hi Duade,
Another nice video.
I've been using this technique for years partially from watching some of your earlier videos and using the same ground pod and a gimbal but I now leave the ground pod and gimbal at home as it's too cumbersome and I prefer to either just lie down holding the camera just above the mud in my hands or resting on a foam pad (which I bought from an auto parts supply shop and is actually a mechanic's knee pad). Sometimes I float my camera on the water using 2 kneepads duct taped together as sometimes the bank of the lake is about 20-30cm above the water and I want to get even lower and I crouch over my camera and use the lcd screen to aim.
When I do lie down and use the viewfinder I'll lie down at right angles to the camera and turn the camera upside down to get a comfortable angle without straining my neck, this works better if you have a battery grip attached.
I don't bother with wet weather gear usually just wear shorts and tee shirt and a sleeveless vest if it's cold or sometimes wetsuit shorts and sleeveless wet suit vest.
I also use a flagpole harness with a monopod, which a guy in Florida developed/adapted for bird photography (Ron Bielefeld of Whistling Wings Photography: www.speed-shooter.com ). When I'm using this I usually just kneel down and use the lcd screen to aim as the harness supports the camera cm above the ground or water.
Cheers
Noel from New Zealand
Thanks for sharing your technique Noel, I agree the ground pod and gimbal do add weight to the setup that is for sure. I found with my big 500mm I just couldnt hand hold for long periods so went with the ground pod setup. That is interesting re the harness, others have mentioned this also. Cheers, Duade
Thanks for this reminder on a great technique. As a slight modification for, ahem us older photographers, I sit on my butt and recline and shoot between my legs. Depending on the surface it can be easier to roll up. Posting for a “friend”!
Duade, thanks for an amazing video as always! Would you be interested in once showing your post-processing routine? What dimensions do you prefer your pics to have, and what do you export settings from lightroom look like. Would love to hear! Thanks!
Excellent educator! Enjoyed it much…how I wish you were a sports photographer and did these type of videos 😎
I would love to try sports one day, Cheers, Duade
Excellent, Duade. To get these shots, you often need spare trousers in your car. Very informative.
Jan, DK 👍
Very true!
I don't necessarily agree that eye level is better as so much as it is different type of shot. Also a simple lawn chair might be a better option for most older photographers. That and a Tripod. Your Black Fronted Dotterel is very similar to our American Plover. They look and run around almost the exact same way. Now that even Panasonic is bringing RAW Pre Capture to it's sub $2000 FF cameras, hopefully this will soon be standard across the board. A proper Pro level stacked sensor cropped camera would be a Great new Option for most Canon Wildlife shooters. That along with allowing the Sigma 500mm 5.6 for it's users.
Another great video. I like this short tip format. I just got home from picking up a very lightly used RF 100-400 and RF 800 f/11 for a cracking good price. Your reviews and images really pushed me to get the 100-400 and the same seller just happened to have the 800 as well, so I got a bundle deal. Now, it’s time to get out and shoot some birds! I’ve been on a sort of sabbatical from shooting, so I’m really looking forward to getting out with my new lenses and my R7.
Congrats, two great lenses that will give you options on how you want to shoot and the styles of images you can get. Good luck, Cheers, Duade
Love your down-to-earth manner and great content.
Guilty as charged. So many of my bird images are from that stood steep up angle. Enjoyed this one Duade, always great content, and the raw excitement is so infectious. Brilliant to see. 👏
Thanks mate, glad to hear you enjoyed it, Cheers, Duade
Hi Duade. Really enjoyed this masterclass video format, learn/reinforce some important techniques and get to enjoy a short trip out with you photographing some of your beautiful Aussie birds. A great addition to the video formats you already do.
I really enjoy your gear test videos as well, your testing and opinion/conclusions are very helpful indeed before I/we go out and invest substantial amounts of cash on new gear for bird/wildlife photography.
Probably need another video on how to get back up again after getting down as low as I can go! 😊. John
Thanks John, yes, getting up is getting harder and harder the older I get. Yes, I try to have a balance of videos if I can. Cheers, Duade
As a learning photographer I am very excited to follow along with this series! I actually found your channel through your wonderful gear reviews, and I loved your perspective and how detailed you were, as well as your field testing. It helped me to decide on a few major gear upgrades for myself! Now that I have my new gear I'm excited to follow along your masterclass and learn how improve my techniques! Birding and bird photography is such a wonderful hobby and I'm glad I found a community of people who share that passion!
Thanks for the feedback Jessie, I really do appreciate it, Cheers, Duade
Great video, it's always a delight to see you in the field Did you know that you can turn the gimbal arm to the top position and then connect the camera upside down to get an even lower angle while using the groundpod? The gimbal arm works correctly and keeps the balance even if it's now upside down. Attaching the camera to the sky-pointing arm is definitely harder than in normal ground-pointing position as gravity is now working against you, but it will save a lot of height as you can then lower the camera platform so low that the lens would almost touch the gimbal head's base. This works at least with the two gimbal heads I have tested but should work with many others as well. Cheers!
Thanks Janne, great idea and a number of people pointed it out to me, not sure why I did not know this but very happy for the advice, I will be sure to try that next time, Cheers, Duade
Excellent video; A few years ago I understood the principle of bending down to improve the background in a macro photo context. Standing up, the background is green (grass) and at ground level it is yellow (stem and flower), but also it is further away and therefore more blurry (especially in M4/3). Since then I advise beginners to circle around the subject and choose the background before composing a frame. I'm too old to lie on the ground but I use a stool which positions the camera 80cm from the ground which with a very long focal length is sufficient; This tripod-shaped position is also very stable.
You’ve convinced me that I definitely need to buy that telephoto lens I’ve been wanting. I can’t wait to get out and photograph some birds and other animals. I also can’t wait for the next episode!
Good illustration of the difference camera angle makes
Really enjoyed this video Duade. Was great to see the 40D get a little air time too. Really helps us to remember it's not the gear - it might help, but really we can use what we got in our hands.
So true!
Long time street photographer, just getting into wildlife photography now. Love the beginner lessons.
Please do more.
More to come!
@@Duade excellent, and hello from Toronto.
Shooting down also makes things more difficult for your AF system to pick out your subject. A lesson I have to relearn a little too often.
Yep, good point, the grass, reflections etc can confuse the AF. But as you saw that R5 worked well with the Dotterel and Swans etc. Cheers, Duade
You are the few I believe when say gear doesn't matter for a good click !
Though I've been doing wildlife photography for 15+ years I still loved watching this, during the winter when its muddy and there is snow on the ground I have a deer hide I preserved to keep my self from getting too cold and who needs a ground pod? No one, get in the dirt and use your elbows as the support.
Thanks David, yes, I used my elbows when I started also. Cheers, Duade
Outstanding content. I'm learning so much from your videos. Thank you.
That is great to hear Albert, Cheers, Duade
Fantastic as always. Thank you for sharing your experience and your knowledge in such a down to earth, positive and true fashion.
My pleasure!
Thanks for another good episode! Good points for taking bird photos portrait style (bird surrounded by blurriness). Kind regards
Thanks Jeffery, yes, that is one way to achieve it for sure. Cheers, Duade
I like the format. This is a great tip to start with. It was the first one I learned for wildlife photography. Get at eye level increase the connection with the subject.Can't wait for the next.
Awesome, thank you!
Very much appreciated!!!! These tips are things it's hard to learn unless you have a mentor.....!! Your enthusiasm and humour brightens my day.
I love your gear review videos also, because I certainly cannot afford to go out and test all the new toys, and I am not so much a professional that I would even know what to look for. So I appreciate all of your videos !!❤
Thanks for the feedback, yes, always fun to have a balance of videos. Cheers, Duade
Good stuff. I saw a lot of birds when I visited Australia, but I had no idea there were so many species.
Yes. Excellent content.
Yes, great to see you in field again rather than playing with the new toys!!
your videos are really helful and your energy and love for photography brings smile on my face :)
Glad you like them!
Yes I like this format. 👍
So your going to take some pictures with inexpensive gear, a $40 camera, about £70-90 here, then you throw a £500-600 lens on it!
Not exactly cheap, nor is it horrendously expensive though, but you have a pretty decent piece of glass, glass is king, put crap glass on an expensive body, you have crap!
I really am not trying to be too critical, but I think leaving the glass cost out is a bit of a disservice.
As for the 40D, I have upgraded via the 7D and 7DII, dabbled with a couple of older FF bodies but I still love my 40D, it just seems to have something special to the pictures.
I have to say I really liked the shot you took with the 40D, absolute proof that although the better gear makes shots a lot easier, the old gear can still perform.
Thanks for sharing your experience, and very interesting to see a different set of nature from the other side of the world.
Morning Duade, I hope you're well. Steep angle shots? Guilty as charged. I have been working on it though. I prefer these 'how to -basic skills' videos because despite the equipment used the processes are, for the most part, the same. Thanks for the great video and keep up the good work. All the best.
Thanks Brian, glad you enjoyed the video, yes, I am still guilty of a few tree shots, there are of course always exceptions to the rules. Cheers, Duade
Loving your contents. So much to learn. Thanka Duade for sharing your knowledge.
I appreciate that!
Another super video - I would really like one in low light as most of my shooting is in the forest - i saw one video when you were walking through the forest but would be good at dusk to see how low you can actually go
Thanks! Eye level is definitely better. I visit Florida and there are 4 nature preserves I go to but they all have boardwalks. Walking off trail is discouraged. Another precautionary is they all have alligators present.
Thanks Mike, yes, we have the same problem up north with Crocs, Cheers, Duade
Awesome! Great shots and video.
Great video thanks Duade!
Great video. Thanks for the tips. Greetings from the Netherlands
Simple and effective!
Thanks!
Thanks for the support, I really appreciate it, Cheers, Duade
That was quite useful to see the beginner vs experienced shot and especially the WHY. When I first started the video and saw the two I didn't even see that one was better than the other until you explained the WHY. Then I immediately saw the difference.
Thanks for the feedback, Cheers, Duade
I always learn something from your videos, very refreshing 😊
By the way, I acquired a ground pod for quite sometime now, right after I saw it in one of your videos.
However, please do not recommend a fried pan lightly, my wife would be happy to let me buy 10 pods. In a way, this idea may even cause an uproar when trying to turn an expensive pan to the pod 😁
Looking forward to your next videos 🎉
Another great video Duade. Very informative, with some great tips. So helpful for those starting out in photographing birds. Keep up the good work.
Glad it was helpful!
Absolutely more of this, yes please!!!
Thanks, I will be sure to do another one soon. Cheers, Duade
I'm not quite sure why exactly, but I really enjoy watching when you shoot with older gear.
Glad to hear, I may have to do another video soon with old gear, Cheers, Duade
I totally agree with getting low whenever possible. I do that myself, but generally by tilting the back screen rather than lying on the ground. My question is - what do you do if that is just not possible such as you are in a hide, or vegetation at the edge of the water prevents?
Good question, I generally find another location to be honest, or just make the most of the situation. However it can be very hard to get the shots I am after from a hide or boardwalk etc. Either way I will try to get that lens as low as possible. Cheers, Duade
Massive 9 AF points!!!!😂❤❤❤
Yes, amazing how far we have come, Cheers, Duade
thanks for the tips, just starting out so all advice is very welcome
Great video! I really like the short and informative format, but really it’s your enthusiasm that adds that extra touch of enjoyability. It’s contagious and brings us along for the ride!
Awesome, thank you!
Thanks for reminding me. I have a new ground pod with gimbal sitting on the shelf waiting. Will get out soon and try some low level shots. So enjoy your informative videos.
Thanks, congrats on the gear and good luck out there, Cheers, Duade
Very helpful. Thank you. Is there a video explaining the settings you use for R5?
Mine is setup almost the same as my mate Jan in this video ruclips.net/video/-nnRqgXu7QI/видео.html Cheers, Duade
Quick tip for DSLR users trying to do this, you can get a 90° angle attachment for your viewfinder, so you can look down into it instead of straight through it. Really saves your neck!
Great thanks
Although I am not a wildlife photographer, I do love taking pictures of wildlife and sometimes it is these simple things that set simple pictures appart from the rest. Thanks for doing this video. I will try to work on the tips you gave the next time I take pictures of wildlife.
Good luck, Cheers, Duade
@@Duade thanks
As always, your enthusiasm is infectious.
Thanks I appreciate it, Cheers, Duade
Today I got over my ego at "looking silly crawling about on the ground. . ." - and was able to get some of the best shots I've managed so far in my short dabbling in photographing wildlife. Putting the viewer at the level of the subject is so obvious in other photography "genres" that I'm honestly kicking myself for appreciating that the same would apply to wildlife photography.
. . .accordingly, I went to TARGET and grabbed a nice "mud ensemble" for my next outing.
That is wonderful to hear, thanks for the feedback and good luck on your next session. Cheers, Duade
I've always got bin liners with me to try and keep the worst of the mud off, but hardly ever manage to come home without a coating of mud. It saves me money though, as I'm too embarrassed to stop in the pub on the way home looking like a scarecrow.
Thanks Paul, good point re the rubbish bags, I have those in the back of the truck then hose off the gear when I get home. I don't think my wife would be too happy me putting the clothes in the washing machine full of mud :-) Cheers, Duade
awesome Corella shots ! Thks a lot for sharing the tips
Glad you like them!
Great lesson.
Thank you Duade. Been waiting for this video. I hope there will be a #2 and so forth.
Thanks for the support, I appreciate it, I will be sure to make another one soon, Cheers, Duade
Really enjoy this kind of video much more than the gear reviews. They both have their place, but learning the craft in the field from someone who is as good as you, is a real help, and I am sure many will agree.
Excellent advice!!
Fantastic vid. Can’t wait to watch all of it and the subsequent eps!
Thanks, I need to start working on them :-) Cheers, Duade
@@Duade I was up at Narooma with the kids recently. Took the Tamron 150-600 and the RF70-200. Managed to snap some ducks in the park. Lying on the ground and people walking past looking at me like I was bonkers.
The Tamron 150-600 is a heavy lens. So, handheld shooting isn't ideal. I have a gymbal (not used yet), but I want to get that platform that you use for ground level shots.
@@mjpt57 Narooma is a lovely spot, I remember getting good coffee there. Yes the ground pod helps, if you are handy you could make your own. Good luck, Cheers, Duade
Great little tutorial! Thanks to you I have got my DIY groundpod and it makes a world of difference! :)
Great to hear mate, I would love to see your DIY version, feel free to email me at duade.paton@gmail.com Cheers, Duade
Great video! Thanks Duade! I was wondering what brand of wet weather gear you use. I didn't see it in the gear links. Thanks for all the great content you make!
Thanks Scott, both are no name brands that I got from a local outdoor store. Boots are Muck Boots. Cheers, Duade
Great video and always good to go over the fundamentals of good bird photography, like being level whenever you can. Have you ever considered recommending a bridge camera to people on a very tight budget? Or people with mobility and health issues? The results are never going to match zoom lenses and good glass, but for a lot of people they give them the range and access to wildlife that they can't manage otherwise. I inured my shoulder recently and could only manage the lightweight Panasonic FZ82 bridge camera, but I still had great fun and some of the images were surprisingly decent (in good light) ATB MMMD.
An excellent video on perspective, Duade. A useful demonstration of the differences. Thank you.
My pleasure Jim, glad you enjoyed it, Cheers, Duade
Love it dude good job
Thanks
Thank you so much for your support, I really do appreciate it, Cheers, Duade
Great content, thanks.
Ím a beginner so, Yes I like this contest thanks a lot, p.s. I ordered a 200-800 but it will take still some weeks to arrive 😢
Back to basics. Always a good idea! Thanks Duade
Thanks for the feedback, Cheers, Duade
Thank you, very informative ❤
A very cheap temporary solution...that I tend to use all the time: I put 2 foam (folding) sit pads on each other and put the lens on them. It gives a super low angle, although it's easy to miss the horizontal angle when turning....but it still works.
Getting down low and learning how important the distance between background, subject and camera is are the 2 most common things that beginners miss. And it's also crazy how these 2 basic things can improve your photography.
Sensational video, Duade! I look forward to more in the future!
Thanks Dean, I appreciate it, Cheers, Duade
I really enjoyed this video! This is the kind of videos that drew me to your channel. I appreciate the new gear reviews, but the how to videos are my favorite. I also enjoy seeing you use the older gear and the results. Great bird images and videos!
Thanks for the feedback, Cheers, Duade
Love it!
Yes, it's great teaching material for new photographers and a good sanity check for the more experienced.
Nice to have he subject rather than too techy based content some others tend to focus on, keep em rollin'.
I believe that a frisbee also can be made into a ground pad as an alternative to a frying pan :)
soo nice...thx...i would love to see more :)
Thanks mate. Always a pleasure to be guided by you.
I am very glad you
back.. I have miied hearing from you.
New to your channel and am really loving your way of explaining things, I recently had the ability to finally get some equipment - the om-1 and the 100-400 plus a teleconverter. I am really enjoying being out and capturing little moments of wildlife. I was wondering if you plan to do more videos on the om systems, I know your are mostly prefer canon, but I thought the om-1 has a good potential especially for people like me who are just starting and have a tighter budget :)! Thanks again for creating such wonderful content and inspiring so many of us.
Thanks for the support and joining the channel, congrats on the OM-1, a wonderful camera for the price that is for sure, I will try to use the camera in an upcoming video. Cheers, Duade
@@Duade I am really excited to see your upcoming videos! Watching your videos just before my trip to Dorset have been brilliant and really helped me get the shots I wanted.