How to Photograph Water Birds - Camera Settings & Techniques
Вставка
- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- How to Photograph Birds on the Water. In this tutorial we look at everything from Viewpoint, Exposure, Camera Support and Clothing. Lots of tips and tricks to help you when shooting those Ducks and Wildfowl.
You might also enjoy this video - a full tutorial as I photograph Ducks in Autumn, at local park: • How to Photograph Wate...
Filmed with Canon M50 and 15-45mm lens.
Equipment: Canon 1DX Mark i, Canon 400mm f/5.6 lens, Wildlife Watching Supplies Beanbag, Induro CT404 Tripod
My equipment: If you purchase any of these items, that I use and recommend, through the Amazon links I receive a small commission which is massively appreciated and it helps me to keep creating new videos.
Movo GH700 gimbal head: amzn.to/2y2ekCg
Canon 400mm f5.6 lens: amzn.to/2AnX8q8
Canon 1.4 extender: amzn.to/2JsrWvY
Canon 100mm f2.8: amzn.to/2t34Jp6
My Website: www.paulmiguel....
Photo Workshops: www.naturephoto...
Friend Me: / paulmiguelphotography
Tweet Me: pa...
Flickr Stream: www.flickr.com...
Awesome Jazz and Blues Music from E's Jammy Jams
Bluebird by E's Jammy Jams
New Toys by Silent Partner
Midnight Special by E's Jammy Jams
I need an old frying pan and get a ball head, what a good idea. Great video again
Thanks Ian. A few people have done this. A friend actually made a couple and gave me one. You can buy something similar, called a ground pod, or skimmer - but fairly expensive.
@@PaulMiguelPhotography I'm a Yorkshire man i don't do expensive :)
The Turnstone picture at 5:33 is fantastic. My wife will soon be asking me why there's a missing frying pan.
Haha!
Great video TY
Some really good pointers here Paul, thanks very much
Hi Keith. Hope all is well with you. Thanks for that, always appreciated.
Another great video. Thanks Paul.
Wonderful tips and wonderful Images Paul .. thanks
I love your videos. I've learned so much!! I also love your sense of humor!!
Thank you Ellen!
I switched to back button focus and inwong go back . Getting low to the subject inhave akways been doing and its a great opportunity to get some great clicks. Keep up the great work Paul, I find your tutorials very helpful. Thank you!
Thanks for the support. Yes, I absolutely love low level.
Love low level photography just creates such a good feel, connection and intimate image great advice 👍😍
Very inspiring video...Definitely will follow your valuable advice 😊
Thanks for sharing ❤️
What a great idea with the frying pan , a quick fry up for breakfast 😋 then wash and use as a tripod 😂
Once again great information and always some unusual tips great images to love the misty shots👌
Very great content 👍
Some great tips there.
another good vid Paul. Been using my 'Frypod' for years now. I left the handle on to make it easier to maneuver it around on sand, grass or stones. Found it online. Using a small gimbal head and it works great.
Great stuff Bruce. I think it's a great option.
Watch me sharing tips and techniques during a photo-shoot of ducks in Autumn: ua-cam.com/video/BQ3yG1__yFU/v-deo.html
Hi Paul, Thanks for the tips, another great video. Just need to try and find and area around St Aidens or Fairburn Ings where I can get low to the water!!
Hi Mal. Yes, that is the difficulty. There are a few, but obviously difficult. Or if you're really adventurous.. try a floating hide abroad!
You make better and more interesting videos every month! Keep up your good work.
many thanks Sverre. I try!
Thanks Paul, some great tips there particularly about getting down low. Only problem is getting back up again having got down there in the first place! Not no. 1, no. 32 this time.
Thanks Peter. I understand!
Top tips buddy and great vlog 😉 stay safe out there ... JP
Thank you my friend. Hope you're well.
@@PaulMiguelPhotography all good in the hood buddy... hiding Away up north at the mo 😉👍
Best lens to use
Hi Paul. I'm just looking at this video you did from a few years back. Now, this is where I both have a bit of an advantage, but also I could be at a disadvantage, because being as I shoot from my mobility scooter, I'm lower down than someone stood up, but by the same token, I can't actually get on the ground for really low level shots. With regards to camera support, I usually either take my monopod or my Gorillapod. I have difficulty using a standard tripod because once it's set up I can't reach it!
Possibly a camera with a screen could be held lower - if really desperate..?
Hi Paul great tips even I can follow brilliant although an old bugger like me does have problems getting back up after getting down lol. Until next time take care and stay safe my friend.
Hi. Great tips there. Where is the best place to get the bolts to fix the tripod head to the pan please? My local stores only sell metric bolts.
I'm afraid I'm not sure. I need to find that out too! A friend made two pans and gave me one.
The screws / bolts can be bought from Amazon or ebay. 1/4 - 20 UNC thead. Just make sure you don't use one that is too long as it may damage your camera.
@@jonpatchett425 cheers Jon
Nice video, Like n.279 and Greetings from Italy :)
Another great tutorial, Paul, and some lovely images. The advice about overexposing and the ‘straight lines’ ruining the shots was most helpful. Also, have you patented the frying pan yet? Excellent as always, thank you.
Thanks Tony. That line thing is an issue for me - I try to avoid it if possible. The frying pan! Well, there are others out there so..
Good stuff Paul, as usual, can you provide details of the bean bag you use. Thanks
cheers. It's from Wildlife Watching Supplies. this is the main one I think - it comes with a good strap too.
Another great movie...
What is the diameter of the pan?
I'll go measure it.
Can u tell which eye cup u used for low level photography
I believe it's the Canon angle finder C.
As you are using a frying pan to get your 1DX LOw to the ground, how about PanLova or PanLoDex
Nice..
Where did you get your camo hood/face covering
Not sure where I bough that one, but I think the make is Jack Pyke
I use the "pan" already for some time, picture's are much nicer because of the better blured background. Also changed from 7D MII to the R6. This has a tilt screen that I use for low shots. Just hold back button, AF will focus on the eye, frame the object and shoot. Electronic or mechanical. Using my old 500mm F4 type 1 gives me mechanical about 6 fps, and electronic about 20 fps. EF lenses work great on the R6.
Sound a good combination you are using. Thanks for that info. What do you think about the overall images quality of the R6.?
@@PaulMiguelPhotography I like the picture's, they are a lot (color and sharp) better than what I did get from the 7D MII. The eye focus of the R6 gives you a lot of good sharp images, much more than I did get from the 7D MII. Also when using the 400mm F5.6 the IBIS works realy well for this lens, handhold making sharp images is much easier than with the 7D MII. All in all the R6 is a big step up.
Hello Paul
Is it possible that you could send me a lick for the camo jacket you are using
Thanks very much Ken Keep up the good work
Thank you Ken. This was actually gifted to me ages ago. But.. it is an army jacket! It's a very thin one, but quite waterproof and windproof. Sorry I can't tell you any more than that. I usually put on enough layers under to keep me arm then use this as an outer shell.
Great video mate you Always inspire me in wildlife photography I have a Nikon D3500 tamron 70-300mm but never get my shots right what ever settings i do can you help
that's very kind. There's a lot of things, it's more practice than anything. Hopefully some of my tutorials can help you.
This is one of my videos ua-cam.com/video/CA_ruyp0ji4/v-deo.html
what do i do if i wanna get some of these shots but my camera has exp bracketing
What’s the advantages of shooting low. Than standing up and taken a photo . Because if your standing up you can get full reflection and eye level you can’t!
Shooting a bird eye level on the water, the background will be completely blured, meaning only the bird is sharp that makes the picture much better to look at. In standing position, you will have the bird sharp but also some water behind the bird. Try this and you will see that it makes a big difference.
Both can look good. The reason for shooting low down is I think it creates more of a connection to the subject, for the viewer. But yes, it is easier to get reflection higher up.
Low to the ground near the water edge sounds like a good position to get good photos. But I'm in SE Texas / SW Louisiana where if I get low on the water edge, I am likely to get a very up close fright from an alligator, or worse. Enjoy the video.
Lol! Yeah, that doesn't sound too great...
nice video with lots of technical explanation. Yes it is correct to reach the animals on their level as much as we can, but I don't like photos taken on ground or water level: if animals shots are taken too low, pictures become 2-dimensionals and you just see the silhouette of the animal. You see the profile and not the body shape. Pictures made in this way are flat in my opinion. Cheers from NE Italy by a digiscoping fan CIAO
That is an interesting point of view. I understand what you are saying. I think there is merit for both. Personally I like the low approach for the blurred foreground water.
Love to know who added the first like. Cheers!
me!!! ;). I wasn't trying to be first tho... our season for water birds is essentially over here in northern Alberta. My last find of the season was a Wilson's snipe. You can see it on Alberta birds (fb).. Have a good one, Paul..
@@janm2473 Nice one! Snipe are beautiful. When is the best time for you there - Spring?
@@PaulMiguelPhotography Awww Thanks..Spring and all summer long for water birds.. Covid certainly put the halt to travelling too far from home tho.. Day trips are great for shutdown.
"frying mcfry face".
us a warburtons bread wrapper for a lens sleeve,
I do like that.. "Frying mcfry face" is in the running.
Getting down there is ok. Getting back up again is the problem
Add a cheap yoga mat to lay down on. It will keep you from getting wet or dirty.