The MOST IMPORTANT wildlife photography tip, BY FAR!

Summary

In this video, professional wildlife photographer Simo Adaltermo shares essential tips for capturing stunning wildlife photos at your local Duck Pond. He emphasizes the importance of perspective, suggesting photographers get down low to achieve eye level with their subjects for more intimate shots. Simo also discusses various techniques for achieving this low angle, the challenges of focusing using the back LCD, and the significance of shutter speed in capturing dynamic bird behavior. He concludes with a secret for creating magical effects using backlighting, encouraging viewers to experiment with angles and settings to enhance their wildlife photography.

Takeaways

• 📸 The most important tip for wildlife photography is to shoot at the right perspective, which often involves getting down low to the subject's eye level.
• 🌿 Backgrounds in wildlife photos should be pleasing and not distract from the subject; shooting from a low angle can help blur the background for a more artistic look.
• 👀 Getting down low helps to create an intimate look in photos, making it seem like you're with the wildlife in the same scene.
• 👕 Don't wear good clothes for bird photography; getting down on your belly is a common technique to achieve the right angle.
• 📱 Using the back LCD screen on your camera can help when composing shots from a low angle, and a flip-out or articulating screen can make this easier.
• 🔭 Techniques for getting low include lying flat, using a bean bag or foam pad, the 'boot technique', or a tripod with a low center of gravity.
• 👁️ When focusing on birds from a low angle, using several focus points or eye detect can be more effective than a single point.
• 📸 Capturing bird behavior, like preening or flapping wings after a dunk, can lead to dynamic and interesting photos.
• 💧 High shutter speeds are necessary to freeze the quick actions of birds, such as when they're flapping their wings or shaking off water.
• 🌅 Experiment with different angles and lighting, such as backlighting with a dark background, to create unique and magical effects in your photos.

Q & A

What is the main issue with the photos taken by beginner and intermediate wildlife photographers according to the video?

The main issue is the perspective or angle from which they take their photos, often resulting in shots of the belly of birds when looking up at them or at the backs of birds when looking down at them.

Why are the backgrounds in the photos taken by beginners often not pleasing?

The backgrounds are not pleasing because they include elements like grass, dirt, water, blue or white sky, or bright patches among leaves that draw the viewer's eye away from the subject.

What is the solution to improve the perspective in wildlife photography as suggested by the video?

The solution is to get down low, which helps achieve eye level with the subject, creates a more artistic background, and makes the subject stand out against a smoother background.

What are some techniques to get a low angle shot in bird photography?

Techniques include lying flat on the belly, using the back LCD to compose shots with the camera and lens low on the ground, using a bean bag or foam pad, the boot technique, and using a tripod or ground pod.

Why is it recommended not to wear good clothes when taking bird photos from a low angle?

It's recommended not to wear good clothes to avoid getting them dirty or damaged while lying on the ground or moving around in low positions.

How does having a flip or articulating screen on the camera help in taking low angle shots?

A flip or articulating screen makes it easier to compose and frame shots from low angles without having to lay flat on the ground or strain to see the camera's screen.

What is the 'boot technique' mentioned in the video for taking low angle shots?

The boot technique involves sticking your foot out with your boot up and laying your heavy lens on top of your boot to take shots using the back LCD screen.

How can pre-focusing help with getting birds in focus when using the back LCD?

Pre-focusing on an area close to your subject gives the camera a head start, making it easier for the camera to focus on your subject when the focus plane is closer to your subject.

What is the predictable behavior of ducks after preening that can lead to great photo opportunities?

After preening, ducks will either do a full body shiver to rearrange their feathers or dunk their heads and body underwater and then stand up and flap their wings, which are great opportunities for capturing amazing photos.

What shutter speed is recommended to freeze the quick action of ducks flapping their wings or shaking off water?

A fast shutter speed such as 1/1200th, 1/1600th, or 1/2000th of a second is recommended to freeze the quick action of ducks.

What is the 'extra tip' for creating a magical effect in bird photography as mentioned at the end of the video?

The extra tip is to capture your subject in the shade while the background is in the sun, creating a beautiful, evenly illuminated subject against a bright and colorful background.