Great video mate, as you mention it depends a lot on the subject and location, when I lived next to the coast I preferred sunlight as I was photographing ducks, waterfowl etc, now that I live inland the clouds are my friend. Cheers, Duade
Definately love clouds, I do a lot of macro photography too and am very happy on a cloudy day, can shoot all day, no horrible contrasting light. Thanks for another great video
Yes totally agree with you Jan , i just love overcast conditions and often during the summer months in the UK if the sun is directional and harsh i put my camera away , cheers Jan for your great videos .
Totally agree - great topic and confirms all my feelings in this. If I have a choice I would always for the big soft box (clouds) Moving forward as always - cheers Jan
Jan, in several of your videos you mention the ISO setting and that you use a higher ISO value rather than underexposing photos. As far as I know, digital cameras are "ISO-less." There is mainly no hardware in the camera to increase the sensitivity, but the camera does what you can do in your raw processing software. Why mostly? Because, as far as I know, some cameras have internal signal amplifiers that are basically equivalent to the " software amplifier" when you compare images side by side. I'd like to know what specific reason you recommend using higher ISOs than being on the safe side with underexposed photos. Personally, I prefer not to risk overexposing photos and not being able to correct after the fact. Thanks for the great work!
when you underexpose your images you are effectively shooting at higher ISO after lightening them up later on. Using bright backgrounds and exposing your images as bright as possible, gives you the least amount of noise and the best colours. A darker background that's underexposed on top of it, will be super noise, even at lower ISO after lifting it
Excellent video and great advice as always Jan. I've been following you for some time and learnt a lot from your videos and editing masterclass. Agree the soft light of overcast days certainly provides great conditions and flexibility.
Great advice Jan. I too prefer cloud as you don’t get harsh shadows like you said. I find I can’t shoot on lakes on sunny days as I think the heat shimmer messes with my photos. I can’t seem to get it right. Is there any tips for that other then getting as close as possible?
Great video. Thanks for explaining in simple terms. Would you set camera for overcast or semi-foggy environments similar to cloudy environments? How would you adjust settings?
Thanks for another great video Jan, as always very informative. I'm in the UK so we get lots of cloudy days, but then the light levels are not as high as where you are so it becomes more challenging especially for flight shots that need higher shutter speeds. I use the same camera as you so am also lucky enough to be able to use higher ISO's. It surprised me to see you using speeds as low as 1/400, even perched birds tend to make small but fast movements that can give motion blur at those speeds. I think its time to rethink my settings and experiment following your suggestions, I feel I have got into a rut over the years and tend to automatically use the settings I am used to. Looking forward to your next video.
Hi Trevor, These settings are for using a tripod. Handheld you will have to be higher. One thing I do when using low shutter speeds is to just fire away, so I get many files to chose from of which a few will be sharp. In the end it's all trial and error and trying to figure out what works best for you. But when it's hard we have to compromise somewhere, which is usually ISo & SS
Great video, as always Jan... I love shooting under some soft clouds for sure... and sometimes it's sad when seeing clouds all day and I am unable to put in more time to shoot...
I like the sun best but only in the golden hours, light cloud cover is undoubtedly best if your out in the day. I don't use flash even fill in trying to avoid any unnatural images. Unfortunately in the UK we often get the dark rainy type which does have its limitations. Rain on the other hand can be good. Lets face it hear in the UK you have to adapt to all conditions, which is great otherwise you would not take many photos!
Great video again! In morning or evening sunny day, I use a 1.4X TC with my Sony 200-600mm and A7iii. However, in cloud day, I have to leave at home my 1.4x TC to avoid loose 1 stop of light. Can't afford a 600mm F4 :) .
Jan, I guess your Canon handles noise pretty well if you're shooting that high of ISO? I have a Sony A7Riv, and it seems to get pretty noisy starting around 1600. Of course totally agree high ISO is better than a blurry image. Loved the video, I am new to bird photography and totally see the value of even light + fixing in post > sunny high-contrast images that don't seem fixable in post :O
Hey mate, can I ask a quick question please? What is your experience of shooting birds with crop sensor camera? Are there any merits of using crop sensor over full frame? Thanks mate...and amazing images
I have not done so for a long time. The main reason to use a crop camera (or shall I say the only reason) is price and perceived extra reach. It allows you to gain more effective focal length with a shorter lens. So if you have a 1.6 crop camera and a 400mm lens, the effective focal length is 640mm vs 400mm on a full frame camera. However, FF camera usually have much better image quality and with them having more and more megapixels, the difference becomes smaller, because you can crop more if need to be on the FF images
I love the light from clouds but sadly, with my gear (d7500, f6.3 lens) it puts me into high noise territory. That said, high noise is better than no shots at all!
Another informative video, thanks Jan. I've noticed that moire pattern (on parrot plumage etc) seems to be worse in sunlight. Also, I've recently started posting on instagram, I hope you can drop by for a look some time @aus_birder. Cheers
Thank you
You're welcome
Fantastic video Jan. Very informative.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great Video !!! Thanks for your insight !
My pleasure! Thank you
Great video!!! Thank you for this perspective!!
Nice content
Thank you!
thank you, Sir, for educating us..(much needed🙂🙂🙂)
Always welcome
Thanks as usual... always practical solutions
Thanks Ron!
yes i also belv same the iso parameter under sunny and cloudy condition.
great
Superb Jan! 👌 cloudy day fan here 😁
What If they come with 45 degrees and a massive thunderstorm lol
@@jan_wegener once in a lifetime 🙈
Jan Vanmaele that was kinda scary
Thanks, you’re a great inspiration!
My pleasure!
Great video mate, as you mention it depends a lot on the subject and location, when I lived next to the coast I preferred sunlight as I was photographing ducks, waterfowl etc, now that I live inland the clouds are my friend. Cheers, Duade
Thanks mate! Yes, certain birds just need sun
For Birds Auto ISO works very well, Thank you for the tips great Channel 👍🏻
I'm gonna make a video about that at some point. It certainly has it's place, but also limitations, since it let's the camera do a lot more
Great video Jan as always! Your work is inspirational!
Thank you so much!
Definately love clouds, I do a lot of macro photography too and am very happy on a cloudy day, can shoot all day, no horrible contrasting light. Thanks for another great video
Glad you enjoyed it!
Yes totally agree with you Jan , i just love overcast conditions and often during the summer months in the UK if the sun is directional and harsh i put my camera away , cheers Jan for your great videos .
Yes, I don't shoot much in summer either. Just a few water spots here that are good, but you only really have 1hr on each side for sweet light
yet again, another very informative video and topic. I live in the UK, more clouds then sun, so this video was extremely helpful. Thank you.
Great to hear! Thanks :)
Totally agree - great topic and confirms all my feelings in this. If I have a choice I would always for the big soft box (clouds) Moving forward as always - cheers Jan
Thanks! Yep, clouds are the best
Jan I could watch your videos all day long !! You explain everything so well ..Thank you so much for teaching us your amazing skills!!
Great to hear, thank you
Cloudy days have always been my most successful days with photography. This is because there is a lot of deep wooded areas where I live.
Yes, that would be painful with the sun out!
Easy to understand explanation how to take photos on different light condition. I see you are doing well, despite lock down in Melbourne.
it's getting a bit tough, but what can you do?
Jan, Well done ..........good info.............THANKS
You are welcome!
Jan, in several of your videos you mention the ISO setting and that you use a higher ISO value rather than underexposing photos. As far as I know, digital cameras are "ISO-less." There is mainly no hardware in the camera to increase the sensitivity, but the camera does what you can do in your raw processing software. Why mostly? Because, as far as I know, some cameras have internal signal amplifiers that are basically equivalent to the " software amplifier" when you compare images side by side. I'd like to know what specific reason you recommend using higher ISOs than being on the safe side with underexposed photos. Personally, I prefer not to risk overexposing photos and not being able to correct after the fact. Thanks for the great work!
when you underexpose your images you are effectively shooting at higher ISO after lightening them up later on. Using bright backgrounds and exposing your images as bright as possible, gives you the least amount of noise and the best colours. A darker background that's underexposed on top of it, will be super noise, even at lower ISO after lifting it
Excellent video and great advice as always Jan. I've been following you for some time and learnt a lot from your videos and editing masterclass. Agree the soft light of overcast days certainly provides great conditions and flexibility.
Great to hear! Thanks a lot Nathan :)
Great advice Jan. I too prefer cloud as you don’t get harsh shadows like you said. I find I can’t shoot on lakes on sunny days as I think the heat shimmer messes with my photos. I can’t seem to get it right. Is there any tips for that other then getting as close as possible?
Great video. Thanks for explaining in simple terms. Would you set camera for overcast or semi-foggy environments similar to cloudy environments? How would you adjust settings?
Yes, probably just have more shutter speed
great video Jan as always mate
Thanks 👍
Thanks Jan, I am out tomorrow here in the UK so I will give some of your settings a try....
Have fun! Thank you
Thanks for another great video Jan, as always very informative. I'm in the UK so we get lots of cloudy days, but then the light levels are not as high as where you are so it becomes more challenging especially for flight shots that need higher shutter speeds. I use the same camera as you so am also lucky enough to be able to use higher ISO's. It surprised me to see you using speeds as low as 1/400, even perched birds tend to make small but fast movements that can give motion blur at those speeds. I think its time to rethink my settings and experiment following your suggestions, I feel I have got into a rut over the years and tend to automatically use the settings I am used to. Looking forward to your next video.
Hi Trevor,
These settings are for using a tripod. Handheld you will have to be higher. One thing I do when using low shutter speeds is to just fire away, so I get many files to chose from of which a few will be sharp.
In the end it's all trial and error and trying to figure out what works best for you. But when it's hard we have to compromise somewhere, which is usually ISo & SS
@@jan_wegener Thanks for your reply Jan, that all makes sense.
Nice advice. How to get those soft backgrounds?
Thanks. Check out this video i made on it a while ago
ua-cam.com/video/d1m_mOsDrFs/v-deo.html
Great video, as always Jan... I love shooting under some soft clouds for sure... and sometimes it's sad when seeing clouds all day and I am unable to put in more time to shoot...
Haha, yes! Nothing worse than a nice cloudy day and you're stuck inside. It drives me crazy!!
I like the sun best but only in the golden hours, light cloud cover is undoubtedly best if your out in the day. I don't use flash even fill in trying to avoid any unnatural images. Unfortunately in the UK we often get the dark rainy type which does have its limitations. Rain on the other hand can be good. Lets face it hear in the UK you have to adapt to all conditions, which is great otherwise you would not take many photos!
Thanks for sharing
Jan you see you best birds!! I have such a hard time finding Birds in Georgia..
thanks! I do a lot of research in where to find the best birds, that helps a lot.
@@jan_wegener you have helped me so much with coming off AV thank you
Michele Kutner that’s great to hear 😊
Great video again! In morning or evening sunny day, I use a 1.4X TC with my Sony 200-600mm and A7iii. However, in cloud day, I have to leave at home my 1.4x TC to avoid loose 1 stop of light. Can't afford a 600mm F4 :) .
Yes, extenders make it more challenging when it comes to cloudy conditions.
I live in SE Alaska shooting in cloudy conditions is the norm!
I'm jealous hahaha
Jan, I guess your Canon handles noise pretty well if you're shooting that high of ISO? I have a Sony A7Riv, and it seems to get pretty noisy starting around 1600. Of course totally agree high ISO is better than a blurry image.
Loved the video, I am new to bird photography and totally see the value of even light + fixing in post > sunny high-contrast images that don't seem fixable in post :O
Yes, and my new R5 is a whole new level of ISO capability. Exciting times.
Hey mate, can I ask a quick question please? What is your experience of shooting birds with crop sensor camera? Are there any merits of using crop sensor over full frame? Thanks mate...and amazing images
I have not done so for a long time. The main reason to use a crop camera (or shall I say the only reason) is price and perceived extra reach. It allows you to gain more effective focal length with a shorter lens. So if you have a 1.6 crop camera and a 400mm lens, the effective focal length is 640mm vs 400mm on a full frame camera. However, FF camera usually have much better image quality and with them having more and more megapixels, the difference becomes smaller, because you can crop more if need to be on the FF images
Many thanks for the reply. It makes sense to me. Happy weekend!!
I love the light from clouds but sadly, with my gear (d7500, f6.3 lens) it puts me into high noise territory. That said, high noise is better than no shots at all!
agreed!
Nutzt du Autoiso? Und wenn ja, wo ist deine Isogrenze? LG Michael
Nein, ich fotografiere immer full manual mode, und da gehe ich so bis 6400 (12800 wenns sein muss)
Another informative video, thanks Jan. I've noticed that moire pattern (on parrot plumage etc) seems to be worse in sunlight. Also, I've recently started posting on instagram, I hope you can drop by for a look some time @aus_birder. Cheers
Thanks mate. You can also get a lot of unpleasant highlights on shiny feathers with the sun. I follow you already