How I Practice Bird Photography when I feel Rusty | BTS: how to avoid water damage after heavy rain
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- Опубліковано 29 тра 2021
- When I get new camera equipment or just feel a bit rusty I often go out to practice my bird photography. Behind the scenes about how to avoid water damage. Open full description for more information.
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Location: West coast of Denmark
I have borrowed the new Nikon Z6II and because the camera is new to me and because I feel a bit rusty after a quiet winter I decided to go out to practice my skills. One of my favourite exercises is the aiming exercise and another favourite is the tracking subject exercise.
I was not prepared for the heavy rain that suddenly poured down and soaked all my equipment. It gives wonderful photos with the rain drops but after a day like this the equipment needs to be taken care of. I show how I do this in the behind the scenes.
I should definitely have brought a rain cover...
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My name is Morten Hilmer and I am a professional nature and wildlife photographer.
I work as a ILCP photographer, and nature conservation is very close to my heart.
I have served in the Danish military special unit, the Sirius Patrol, for two years and that has given me the skills and confidence to operate alone in the arctic regions. I have spent two further years in the northern parts of Greenland meeting the local people and working on photography projects. My driving force is a sense of adventure and my fascination for nature, and my curiosity and empathy for other cultures has led me to many remote regions.
Read more about my time in the Sirius Dogsled Patrol: www.bbc.com/earth/story/201602...
Beside being featured in publications and in my books books my photographs have been awarded in the Wildlife photographer of the year and European Wildlife photographer of the year photo competitions.
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No need to "excuse" doing a "clean your equipment" video. I found it very helpful. Thanks!
Another good Sunday. Celebrating 34 years of marriage plus having coffee and learning from Morten.
Cheers 😁... And congrats
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Awe. Congratulations.
I nearly spat my tea out at 22:21!! Then I realised he said FOG😅 I love these videos, the enthusiasm just pours through the screen and you can't help but be drawn in!
I took your bait and almost fell on the floor laughing! Great catch!
Aahaha i was searching exactly a comment like this ahahah "it looks like...fuc*"🤣🤣🤣🤣
As I went back, I realised it was "most replayed" hahaha You're not alone!
Whenever I get a notification of a new video♥️my mood goes through the roof
No need to pressure your self making inspiring videos all the time. This was a useful video,thank you for the tips !
I learn a LOT from your videos because you share the details that others leave out. Please keep it up.
I just switched from Canon (1DXll) to Nikon and upgraded to Z6ll because of you. I didn't lose any money as I had a bunch of old Canon glass that I wasn't using, at all, which I sold, so my switch was actually smooth and instead of putting me in deficit, I profited from it. Got the 24-70 f2.8 and the 70-200 f2.8, so now all I miss is 300mm f4 and 600mm f4 but as I can do most of my work with just the 24-70, I will wait for the Z versions of 300mm and 600mm lenses, rather than buying the adapter and FX lenses. The grip for the Z6ll is amazing and although it is slightly different, it feels very much like I am holding Nikons D5 or D6 - very similar to my old 1DXll. I am more than happy with the camera and how it performs. I do miss the dual pixel AF for my videos, however the difference is barely noticeable, Nikon did a very, very good job - otherwise I would be jumping on the R6 train.
Amazing video as always! I do portraiture and documentary work, nothing even remotely close to wildlife (not yet!) but I still enjoy watching your videos and don't miss a single one! Love your work and you're amazing as a person! Greetings from Croatia and Austria!
*i dont know why i feel so good watching someone and wish i could be with my camera and tele lens in the rain photographing and filming , its such a wholesome experience i guess*
Since I am a fair-weather amateur photographer, this was a good reminder on how to care for equipment. Thank you.
There's a saying from the Uk military - "If it ain't raining, it ain't training".
Yes, good start to the day.
Vacuum is my preferred method, doesn’t push sand and dirt in, but takes it away. Another great vid, thanks.
"You do shit" 😌😂😂
Hi Morten I have subbed again with my new channel. I actually look forward to seeing your uploads... Thank you mate.
Yes handling the equipment is probably think that most of us neglect so great video sir
Thanks for sharing the necessities of using the equipment.
That was perfect timing, because I had just made some tea, which I now got to enjoy while watching what I would call a classic Morten video. 😄 Thank you for sharing your tips with us (always useful!) and taking us to see the kittiwakes again 😀
Good Monday Morning from New Zealand, Great Bird Photography Video, have a great week
Watching how to clean your gear after shooting at the beach was very usefull. Thank you Morten.
Practical advise is really appreciated, I need a reminder as I'm on the coast daily. Sand and salt are tough on everything.
I've noticed that many of the best photographers of all kinds are also musicians. I'm both but not professional at either. For a musician, the need for directed practice is paramount. You can't just go out and play gigs. You must practice particular muscle movements so they are automatic and relaxed. Timing is key. It is important to pace yourself and work up from slow toward faster. I use a metronome, you use different focal length lenses. Muscles must be strong enough to handle repetitive motion. You must practice certain basic phrases and more complex ones. Finally, when your practice or performance session is done, you must perform an elaborate and fixed ritual to clean your instrument and put it away. Of course the case and the cleaning cloths must be themselves cleaned.
The one suggestion I might have from the musical instrument world to yours is that muscles must be relaxed if you want speed and accuracy. Advanced music teachers devote much teaching time to posture and relaxation. I noticed how carefully you balanced your tripod head before you started to shoot.
I would use a blower first to blow off sand before I went in with the 'ladies brush'. I also remove the neoprene and let the lens to dry. Why don't you use a rain cover to save you all the cleaning later? Here is Ireland gets very wet and I use a Think Tank hydrophobia 300-600 and keeps my lens and camera completely dry. You can shower off the sand from the rain cover with the camera/lens under it. Good tip about removing battery and memory card from the camera before you put it in the bag.
Great video, you have to practice, people ask you what are you photographing that for, just practising I say, they look puzzled, but you need to practice at anything if you want to improve in whatever you do, also take care of your gear,👍👍👍🌧 cheers rick from Australia.
Thanks Morten, These are essential skills and I think that learning how a professional does it is very reassuring that you are learning the best way to do it.
Thanks for sharing your techniques with us. I always enjoy your technique and behind the scenes videos, stay well, stay safe.
Finallly a good detailed video on how to clean salt/salt out of you camera gear ! thanks Morten !
Good share my friend
Yes, there’s nothing like practice to get comfortable and accustomed to your equipment so it’s almost like an extension of one’s own body. Thank you and have a great rest of the week! 🤗👍🏼😉. By the way, it’s raining lots here in NY, too!🌧
Good tips for cleaning the equipments. To be more in the safe side I prefer using a full camera and lens water resistant cover.
Morten, you are a kind and generous man, and a great photographer. Thank you.
Very beautiful captures! Perfect and great photography! Enjoying fully your fine YT video! Warm THANK to you, dear, sir! Wishing you all the very best always! Stay healthy and safe! Best regards from Sweden!
Great reminders Morten. I had not thought of vacuuming the camera bag after beach trips. You are also reminding me to practice. You would think that would be the one thing I would always remember to do, but oh no, not Mister I got this. I also like the cosmetic brush, that's a good idea, my bulb Brush is at least 30 years old. Thank you for the video! P.S. And yes I did catch the moment 22:21 your attempt to say the word fog. Yikes!
HI Morten, Good video! It is all ways good to review how to take care of your equipment and practice using it.
Thx for sharing
I don't think there was anything 'rusty' about the photos you took, Morten, they were beautiful, and I loved the intimacy you captured in the video of the nesting gulls on the cliff. Powder brushes btw are also very good for dusting delicate objects like small picture frames and ornaments and I also use one to clean my keyboard. A very handy thing to have around 😊
Thank you for sharing your accuracy practice methods and cleaning regime. I appreciate it when experienced photographers pass on these types of really useful information.
On the contrary it was a great to watch both what you practice and how you care for your gear. Thanks as always.
Another great video. Thanks for sharing Morten!
Great video morten, love to see contents like this, love how close and spontaneous you are
If you play a instrument you have to practice it is the same with photography Thank you for sharing your tips Living near the sea I know to well the damage that sand and salt can do. All my lenses are manual focus so need to practice a lot :-)
This may help someone.
The technique I use is to put the screw on my canon 500mm f4 lens hood dead at the top centre of the lens, when mounting the lens hood.
I now use the flash mount, and the lens screw, like you would use shooting sights on a gun.
I follow or line up my point of interest, then look through the lens, and i got use to what the difference is between the two line’s off sight.
I can very quickly be on my subject of interest.
I hope this helps someone.
Keith. UK 🇬🇧
The still images starting @ 12:39 are spectacular! It was fun watching all your videos, cleaning gear or shooting masterpieces!
Excelente trabajo Morten y muy inspirador !!!
Your passion for photography and nature is truly inspirational, thank you
Always love seeing a new video from you, this type of video is great for seeing how you hone your skills and keep your gear in running order. Great tips Thanks Morten!
Having Morten's newest video come up always makes the start of the work week a lot easier! Fantastic videos; entertaining and informative. Morten is always enthusiastic and happy.
Hej Morten, thank you for sharing "the reality" of what works for you, after having been in sand + salt + water. Living far away from the coast, it is good for me to know what really works and what I have to do, then. Med venlig hilsen, Michael
Your tips are very usefull, and your video are very fun to watch. Thank you!
I´ll keep following you from Brazil.
Wow this has actually been really insightful. Thanks for sharing with us your experience and approach to bird photography as well as taking care of gear!
Very timely for me! I was at the ocean yesterday with 3040 mph winds and was wondering how the heck I clean my equipment. I took everything out of my bag and let everything dry out naturally on the dining room table lol... what to do after that was the question in my mind. Love your videos. Thank you.
I appreciate you talking about your process. I learned a lot.
Love your vids.
Thanks for this one.
I thought I was always thorough in cleaning my kit, you've shown me some better ways and steps I would never have thought of. 😊
Thank you as always! All of this information is important, whether you come back with good photos are just share your cleaning, maintenance routine. Thanks!
Great instructive video! And was so relaxing to watch with the sound of the waves in the background!
Absolutely incredible quality every time 👌
Thank you very much, that was inspiring! loved your hints and tips behind the secenes!
Thanks again Morten , I’ve learned about muscle memory from one of your past videos and is good that you showed us again so we can remember these crucial moments before we take new equipment out into the field.
I’m now more knowledgeable on equipment maintenance at any dusty or sandy environments especially that I bought my first true expensive lens.
Warm regards , Joey
Thanks for sharing Morten, those are some great tips for not only shooting birds but taking care of our gear.
One of my favorite videos that you have done. Great job and even better advice.
Another great video. Thanks for sharing Morten!
Valuable tips, Morten. Thank you!
Thank you Morten
I just invested in a super zoom and need lots of practice having come from a portrait background but certainly familiarity is the most important use with both your camera and lens… if I can only even scratch the surface to be as good and dedicated as you …as always endless thank you for sharing your love of nature and tips for us all… best wishes and happy explorations this coming New Year… stay blessed
Thanks for putting this. I appreciated hearing about your process. It gives me more confidence to shoot in all weather.
Morten, it was actually a very instructive video, I learn a lot. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing these tips. Very useful.
I just found your channel last week. I have been an amateur photographer for forty years and I’m still learning a lot from your videos. Thanks !
Good video Morten. Thanks. Very timely as I am off to the Isle of Mull shortly where my kit is guaranteed to get wet !
Hello,i'm from India. i always watch your videos and tips on photography,it motivate and inspire me to do photography.Thank u so much for inspiring sir.Love and Respect.
Really enjoyed your attempts to get good kittiwake photos. Please give us more of similar. Also enjoyed how to care for our equipment.
beautifull. love this
Your training tips were very useful. I look forward to practicing them when my winter photography of birds in flight begins in New Mexico. After shooting landscapes and still subjects and small perched birds most of the year, I always feel a bit rusty tracking the larger flying birds returning to the Bosque del Apache wetlands here.
Your care and cleaning routines were marvelous, and I was gratified to find I was doing almost exactly the same things with my equipment. I feel reassured that I am doing the best I can to preserve my equipment.
I loved this video. Thank you so much, Morten!
Thanks Morten!
Nice little video .... thanks for sharing Morton.
Thanks for this highly practical video. It is so helpful to see the things that contribute to making you such an accomplished photographer. It is tempting to think that professional photographers can just go out and create excellent images with little effort. Thanks for the reality check! As in everything, practise makes performance easier.
I have a keen interest in bird watching (in Maryland, USA) so I particularly liked this video and the shots you were able to get. The kittiwake is very much like what we see here and are known as Iceland Gulls. Thanks for sharing these great images.
Hi Morton - it is inspiring to see how much effort you put into the simple things. We can’t get the clever stuff right if we don’t put effort into the simple stuff.
Always great video Morten! Greetings from Italy!
Last winter and spring were quite wet in Seattle and I didn’t go out shooting much because of it. It’s encouraging to know there is a way to deal with that! Thanks
Terrific video! Your presentational style is so inviting; I never felt talked down to. This is the first video of yours I've ever watched, and it was as if I was your friend along for the trip. As a beginner, this was a very helpful video. Keep up the great work!
Good video. It is important that we can 100% rely on our stuff. 👍👍👍
It was a very good video, explaining the care of our equipment. Thanks, Alex
Thank you so much for an awesome video.
Thanks for sharing Morten! Good tips👌 Nice video again👍
Love it. First beach Morten I've seen. Ive been to the beach with my camera so many times here in Aus, not wanting to get my gear salty, not positioning correctly, not working on my tracking - love what I learn from you! It might not be Nat Geo but it's practice for the nat geo shot.
You say it wasn't inspiring, but it was. These are the skills people don't think about. Gear care, longevity, etc. Difference between a photographer and an amateur.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge, very useful to others. Your style of presentation is peaceful and inspiring.
Morten... these kind of videos are my favorite! Well, all your videos are great. But here you are just pointing to the smallest details to support improving my skills! Thank you Morten! Thank you! Great video! )))
Very helpful techniques, thank you.
I love your videos👍 waiting for the next one😃
Another excellent practical tutorial.... thank you for all the effort you put into these films. I only shoot wildlife video (not stills), but I can still learn a lot from your experience and the techniques you use.
"Get so comfortable with your equipment so that you forgot about your equipment" - Morten 2021
Love your videos. Thank you
Yes learning to track and follow focus goes a long way in my opinion as well… practice is so key.. I think Gulls are the best birds to practice with when it comes to bird photography and tracking movement!! They glide, dive for fish, can be erratic at times, they have a great package and they are plentiful… great video brother!! I’m glad I found your channel!! GOD bless!!
Sir your background music is always like be hypnotize mind and natural seen , wild animals personal life it's perfect combination osam 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for a very enjoyable video full of useful information and some lovely photography.
Another great, detailed video
Great video! I really like the “Behind the scenes” parts to learn a lot 😀! What grease do you use for the tripod screws?
I found this very enjoyable and interesting
Thank you for the detailed video. It was very informative and I will practice these principles. Nice job
Thanks a lot for Sharing your experience 🤗
Thank you for showing how to clean your camera- I was waiting for you to make this video 😊