My main mistake was definitely the first. I now try and keep my Auto ISO Minimum shutter speed to 1/1000 in good light. I definitely agree that my blurred images are shutter not focus issues. Thanks for the vids Paul.
I always do a test exposure at locations and YES cheap UV filter great way have soft photos and yes take more photos than think more choices one’s home
Just wanted to say I really appreciate this channel and all the work you put into it, and for sharing all the information, too. I found your channel after searching for macro videos. I subscribed immediately and have enjoyed all of your videos since. Thank you, Paul. ✌️❤️
Made all of those mistakes, and still doing¨, especially with a cheap budget filter on my canon rf 100-500 for "protection" like they say when they sell them, i'ts in the trash now and images it's much sharper! Thought it was something wrong with lens at first! :)
@@PaulMiguelPhotography I'd add a caveat to this - if you're shooting anywhere where you or those around you might be using DEET insect repellent, be vary careful as it will dissolve lens coatings. I've a couple of ruined UV filters due to this and I'm glad not to have ruined lenses instead.
Always great advice, always something to learn; thank you for posting, and although I am not a beginner, it is always great to review; Thank you, Paul Miguel
Good video but I agree with Leigh. It’s also true that this ‘rule’ was developed for film cameras. Now lenses are sharper and we have megapixels which are smaller than film grain so we ought to be using even shorter exposures. Of course we also have image stabilisation which works in the opposite direction. All very confusing so Paul’s next point about checking is key. Start with the reciprocal rule and experiment.
Very useful tips but unfortunately photographers have no control of Wildlife movement. If a rare Bird is in a bush you can forget the niceties of bokah.
Hi Paul, Great informative video as per! Tip 2 for me - This has really improved my images over the past year and a bit since starting this compulsive hobby! And like you say just stepping sideways just a bit can greatly improve the background to an image. cheers pal.
Another very informative video Paul and all makes sense to me and I'm guilty of them all except number 5. Cannot understand why there would be 5 thumbs down for this video ??
Hi Paul. Recently started firing bursts with wildlife and it does help to get that good shot. Used to toke one image at a time like I did with film cameras. Glad I don't now.
I was take landscape photos, then saw a bird I wanted. I forgot to switch to the correct mode wich I set for birds . And got crapy photos. So to swich back to the right modes
Great video as always Paul - having only been doing this for a comparatively short amount of time, I'm pleased to know I'm not making these mistakes (anymore!) One thing I sometimes struggle to decide on when taking a photo is which focus points to use (i.e. single point of focus or grouped etc) - would be great to see what you do in various situations 👍
Well I am guilty of many of these mistakes. I just realised I have a uv filter for protection in front of my lens. I will be removing it to see if it will make any difference. Although most of the mistakes I make might be due to poor technique and inexperience as well. Also my shots tend to be very opportunistic, as I shoot whatever I can find in my walks. As a result I can’t say I have the luxury of controlling my background. I just don’t have the patience to sit for hours in one place waiting for something to happen.
I know from experience with you that taking the UV off on my Sigma 150-600 c helped sharpen images up substantially. I wonder how many people jump to fine tunng lenses that don't need it?
Just started back with a good DSLR and making mistakes all the time but I will improve if only I could remember what you say when I am away from my computer.
Thanks Paul, great tips and like some others the removal of my Len's UV /protector has made a huge difference to the focus, detail and sharpness.. Like others I thought it was my newly acquired used body or the lens! The relief that it was something so simple and quickly fixable that has made such a step change now to my photography. Thanks again, Brian
Great info once again Paul 👍all Great tips from a maniac 🤣 is that your cottage? How about a some info on when and when not to use a lens hood 🤔Great teaching with a good bit of fun keep them coming 👌👏👏👏
Great video! The one mistake, I regularly make, is not checking my images frequently enough on the back of my camera (like yesterday.... must have turned exposure compensation by accident way down). I'd say that the "one over focal length" equation is really more useful for handheld-shooting (relatively) static objects. If you shoot birds in flight (BIF) or any other situation where wildlife is moving fast (e.g. a heron hunting fish in a pond) with a long lens, you often need to go a lot faster. If I am out and about and expect action somewhere (I am always on the lookout for birds of prey) I typically have my shutter speed dialed in on 1/2500 (Nikon D500+Tamron 150-600G2). but will go up to 1/3200 with fast action (osprey diving). Also, do not forget about your Vibration Reduction feature on your lens (if you have that).
Yes, I'd agree about the shutter speed. For checking - I still do that sometimes now - and I make a special effort in exceptional circumstances as you can't re-create that moment.
been doing photography for two years now, i'm clear on these ones but one 'mistake' i have been doing is only ever shooting in single af point on servo for birds in flight, it works well 90% of the time but when the bird is in clear sky i have been recently switching to multi point servo. i only have the M50 but its multi point works well enough
Thank you for a fantastic video full of good advice. When you talk of fast shutter speed, presumably you are talking about still photos. But what about videography? We are advised to use 1/frame rate X 2. So, if I am filming at 25 frames per second, I would use a shutter speed of 1/50. Is that applicable when filming wild life?
Yes, I mean for stills. What you say is correct for a 'natural' look to the video, yes. You can film wildlife the same or you can do slow motion - in this case you can shoot for example at 50 frames per second and you use a shutter speed of 1/100. Then you can slow down aterwards.
Great video's Paul. You can use a slower shutter speed if the bird or squirrel is sitting quit still, like your second photo with the squirrel. 500mm with 250s shutter instead of the minimum of 500s.
In these kind of situations I typically take series of images with different shutter speeds (only takes a few seconds to rotate the dial on my D500, manual settings with auto ISO)
Hey Paul, I remember the first time I forgot to check the battery. Either it is not fully charged or not in the camera. I remember the first time it happened to me, it was the last. I now have extra batteries in both of our cars! Also check memory cards as well. Greg
Although not a newbie to photography, I've only been photographing birds since the first lockdown. I don't have a garden so it's all done in public spaces. and I go out with good intentions of getting a good clean background, then I see a bird, get excited and just end up taking photos with really messy backgrounds. I've tried setting up branches and even rocks before I start shooting sometimes, but don't think I've ever persuaded a bird to land on one.
@@PaulMiguelPhotographyI've been back to the same location twice since this comment and both times have been far more successful. I found the answer was using a smaller and thinner section of branch. People always tend to feed the birds here, so it's just a case of making sure the food is in the right place to encourage the birds to land on the branch.
@@PaulMiguelPhotography Used to but not any more, a very expensive lens with a cheap bit of glass on the front ! Detracts from the image slightly. Exception being a macro lens if I am getting close to the subject and bush liable to scratch the front element then I may use one !
Even though I’m not a beginner I still like to watch these just to see if I have made these mistakes. Which to no surprise… yes I have 😂
Great video Paul...brilliant tips...I took filters off my lens...Great tip...
Very nice information 👍👍👍
Thanks Paul, very valuable suggestions, much apricated.
My main mistake was definitely the first. I now try and keep my Auto ISO Minimum shutter speed to 1/1000 in good light. I definitely agree that my blurred images are shutter not focus issues. Thanks for the vids Paul.
That's good that you've figured it out Robert.
Thank you! 👍
Another brilliant informative video Paul, I will now be removing he filters from my lenses .
Cheers. Just be careful if you do - and try use a lens hood.
I always do a test exposure at locations and YES cheap UV filter great way have soft photos and yes take more photos than think more choices one’s home
Przyroda potrafi zaskakiwać pięknymi i ciekawymi spotkaniami. Brawo. Pozdrawiam serdecznie Rafał 👍🌲
Just wanted to say I really appreciate this channel and all the work you put into it, and for sharing all the information, too. I found your channel after searching for macro videos. I subscribed immediately and have enjoyed all of your videos since. Thank you, Paul. ✌️❤️
Sometimes I will shoot with a low shutter speed to reduce the noise of my image. Thanks for these useful tips.
Absolutely. I try to shoot as low as possible whilst still getting sharpness.
Made all of those mistakes, and still doing¨, especially with a cheap budget filter on my canon rf 100-500 for "protection" like they say when they sell them, i'ts in the trash now and images it's much sharper! Thought it was something wrong with lens at first! :)
There you go! Always worth a check.
@@PaulMiguelPhotography I'd add a caveat to this - if you're shooting anywhere where you or those around you might be using DEET insect repellent, be vary careful as it will dissolve lens coatings. I've a couple of ruined UV filters due to this and I'm glad not to have ruined lenses instead.
Always great advice, always something to learn; thank you for posting, and although I am not a beginner, it is always great to review; Thank you, Paul Miguel
In regards to your first tip, everyone seems to forget about crop factor. If using a 400mm on a crop body, SS nlt 1/640 etc
That's a fair point. Thanks Leigh.
Good video but I agree with Leigh. It’s also true that this ‘rule’ was developed for film cameras. Now lenses are sharper and we have megapixels which are smaller than film grain so we ought to be using even shorter exposures. Of course we also have image stabilisation which works in the opposite direction. All very confusing so Paul’s next point about checking is key. Start with the reciprocal rule and experiment.
Hi Paul,
Thanks for the video, some great advice and tips, keep up the Fantastic work,
Pete👍
Thank you very much.
Very useful tips but unfortunately photographers have no control of Wildlife movement. If a rare Bird is in a bush you can forget the niceties of bokah.
Hi Paul, Great informative video as per! Tip 2 for me - This has really improved my images over the past year and a bit since starting this compulsive hobby! And like you say just stepping sideways just a bit can greatly improve the background to an image. cheers pal.
Definitely. Always try to see if there's an improvement to be had.
Very informative. Thank you.👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Good info and good sample pics.
Another very informative video Paul and all makes sense to me and I'm guilty of them all except number 5. Cannot understand why there would be 5 thumbs down for this video ??
Thank you John. You will always get a few thumbs down, it's just normal. My likes are usually around 97% - so it's not a problem!
Thank you for that!! I have been trying to figure out for a while now where I go wrong and I think your video highlighted some problem areas.
Brilliant!
Hi Paul. Recently started firing bursts with wildlife and it does help to get that good shot.
Used to toke one image at a time like I did with film cameras.
Glad I don't now.
Definitely helps - particularly with small birds I find.
I was take landscape photos, then saw a bird I wanted. I forgot to switch to the correct mode wich I set for birds . And got crapy photos. So to swich back to the right modes
Great video as always Paul - having only been doing this for a comparatively short amount of time, I'm pleased to know I'm not making these mistakes (anymore!)
One thing I sometimes struggle to decide on when taking a photo is which focus points to use (i.e. single point of focus or grouped etc) - would be great to see what you do in various situations 👍
I mostly use a single focus point. Then slightly expanded for some flight shots. Very rare I use any more focus points.
@@PaulMiguelPhotography Hi Paul, apologies for the late response - thanks for the tip I'll keep this in mind when out and about 👍
Thanks Paul! Really nice to affirm I've assimilated most of this already (And I'm sure you had a hand in that)
Must be time to exhibit now right? 😂 x
Well I am guilty of many of these mistakes. I just realised I have a uv filter for protection in front of my lens. I will be removing it to see if it will make any difference. Although most of the mistakes I make might be due to poor technique and inexperience as well. Also my shots tend to be very opportunistic, as I shoot whatever I can find in my walks. As a result I can’t say I have the luxury of controlling my background. I just don’t have the patience to sit for hours in one place waiting for something to happen.
Just be careful if you remove the filter. If opportunistic shooting then yes, you often can't change your background.
I know from experience with you that taking the UV off on my Sigma 150-600 c helped sharpen images up substantially.
I wonder how many people jump to fine tunng lenses that don't need it?
I've had this a few times. You're probably right Graham - the first step would be to try without filter.. then do some tests of static subjects.
Just started back with a good DSLR and making mistakes all the time but I will improve if only I could remember what you say when I am away from my computer.
Lol! Glad you're getting back into it Geoff.
Thanks a lot for taking the time to share all this knowledge. Very kind.
All the best wishes.
You are welcome. Thank you.
Thanks Paul, great tips and like some others the removal of my Len's UV /protector has made a huge difference to the focus, detail and sharpness.. Like others I thought it was my newly acquired used body or the lens! The relief that it was something so simple and quickly fixable that has made such a step change now to my photography. Thanks again, Brian
Brilliiant!
Thank you Paul, your videos are always helpful 😀. I will try without the filter, I often sharpen my photos, will this be the same?
Thank you Deirdre. You cannot re-create sharpness afterwards but you can create the illusion to some extent.
Great info once again Paul 👍all Great tips from a maniac 🤣 is that your cottage? How about a some info on when and when not to use a lens hood 🤔Great teaching with a good bit of fun keep them coming 👌👏👏👏
Lol! I wish it was my cottage.. I do a lot of videos here. The landowners are amazing - and they love wildlife too!
@@PaulMiguelPhotography Thanks for replying 👍and yes seen the cottage in few of your videos.
Great video! The one mistake, I regularly make, is not checking my images frequently enough on the back of my camera (like yesterday.... must have turned exposure compensation by accident way down). I'd say that the "one over focal length" equation is really more useful for handheld-shooting (relatively) static objects. If you shoot birds in flight (BIF) or any other situation where wildlife is moving fast (e.g. a heron hunting fish in a pond) with a long lens, you often need to go a lot faster. If I am out and about and expect action somewhere (I am always on the lookout for birds of prey) I typically have my shutter speed dialed in on 1/2500 (Nikon D500+Tamron 150-600G2). but will go up to 1/3200 with fast action (osprey diving). Also, do not forget about your Vibration Reduction feature on your lens (if you have that).
Yes, I'd agree about the shutter speed. For checking - I still do that sometimes now - and I make a special effort in exceptional circumstances as you can't re-create that moment.
been doing photography for two years now, i'm clear on these ones but one 'mistake' i have been doing is only ever shooting in single af point on servo for birds in flight, it works well 90% of the time but when the bird is in clear sky i have been recently switching to multi point servo.
i only have the M50 but its multi point works well enough
It's how I tend to work. Best to experiment with it - I rarely use anything above 9 points.
Thank you for a fantastic video full of good advice.
When you talk of fast shutter speed, presumably you are talking about still photos. But what about videography? We are advised to use 1/frame rate X 2. So, if I am filming at 25 frames per second, I would use a shutter speed of 1/50. Is that applicable when filming wild life?
Yes, I mean for stills. What you say is correct for a 'natural' look to the video, yes. You can film wildlife the same or you can do slow motion - in this case you can shoot for example at 50 frames per second and you use a shutter speed of 1/100. Then you can slow down aterwards.
@@PaulMiguelPhotography Thank you very much for your excellent suggestion. I will definitely try it soon!
Great job 🔥🔥🔥
Great video's Paul.
You can use a slower shutter speed if the bird or squirrel is sitting quit still, like your second photo with the squirrel.
500mm with 250s shutter instead of the minimum of 500s.
In these kind of situations I typically take series of images with different shutter speeds (only takes a few seconds to rotate the dial on my D500, manual settings with auto ISO)
Definitely. I try to do this when I can.
Hey Paul, I remember the first time I forgot to check the battery. Either it is not fully charged or not in the camera. I remember the first time it happened to me, it was the last. I now have extra batteries in both of our cars! Also check memory cards as well. Greg
Absolutely happened to me too. I'm going to talk about this in the next video. I have a 'back up' memory car in the car too... from experience!
Although not a newbie to photography, I've only been photographing birds since the first lockdown. I don't have a garden so it's all done in public spaces. and I go out with good intentions of getting a good clean background, then I see a bird, get excited and just end up taking photos with really messy backgrounds. I've tried setting up branches and even rocks before I start shooting sometimes, but don't think I've ever persuaded a bird to land on one.
You can usually get birds to land on perches if you put food nearby. Just keep experimenting. Best of luck.. and enjoy!
@@PaulMiguelPhotography so you have no issues with feeding wildlife? I was always raised not to since it is habit forming and detrimental to them
@@mremumerm there is nothing wrong with spreading out a handful of seeds now and then
@@PaulMiguelPhotographyI've been back to the same location twice since this comment and both times have been far more successful. I found the answer was using a smaller and thinner section of branch. People always tend to feed the birds here, so it's just a case of making sure the food is in the right place to encourage the birds to land on the branch.
Thanks for tips Paul.
An aside question, you are still using the first generation 1DX. Any plans to go for 1DX3?
Stay safe.
Yes, I'm still using the DX. I doubt I'd get a 1DX3. Probably an R5 or R6 I think.
Great video Paul yep made all those mistakes before good video ! 👍😍
Cheers. Do you use a filter on your lens?
@@PaulMiguelPhotography Used to but not any more, a very expensive lens with a cheap bit of glass on the front ! Detracts from the image slightly. Exception being a macro lens if I am getting close to the subject and bush liable to scratch the front element then I may use one !
These videos are really helpful Paul! Do you sell your photos?
Thank you Jean. I sell a few but not like I used to. Most of my work is workshops and 1:1 sessions. And CZcams.
@@PaulMiguelPhotography if I lived near I would take a workshop! 😄
Why you don`t photograph with a mirrorless camera? By the way...i love your videos.
Thanks Richard. I will no doubt have a mirrorless soon, but my next purchase will be a big decision so don't want to get it wrong.
YEP guilty as charged on counts 4 & 5
Is guy for real.i get my shots within 6 frames