You know how much I love your photography and videos, Simone. So glad you're feeling better and getting around. I believe that whatever you photograph, be it ugly or beautiful, you turn it into a masterpiece. Happy 2020. I vow to get out this year and try to find some wild owls.
Hello mate, just discovered your channel and really enjoyed hearing your knowledge... thanks again and looking forward to seeing more of your content!!! Cheers
Hi Simon, I only found your channel recently and have started to work my way through your videos. I shoot a lot of landscape photography but due to the imposed lockdown, I’ve just stated shooting the wildlife in my back garden and I’m throughly enjoying it. I live in Cambridgeshire which has some great nature reserves and so I’m looking forward getting out as soon as we’re allowed. I also suffered with tinnitus. I’ve had it for 6-7 years and for the first 6 months I didn’t think I’d be able to cope, but now I know it’s pattens and I know how to deal with it, it’s a lot better. I wish you well for the future Regards Darren
Good to see you back Simon! More videos like this one please! Like many people I have known the principle of getting down low for a better perspective for a long time, your video explains the reason for it better than anything I have previously seen! Really like seeing the comparison shots side by side! Happy new year!
I hope you didn't have the covid bug stay safe I really enjoy watching your programs on my tablet they are really inspiring to also help me out with my bird photography I'm always watching the birds from my living room window and when I go out for my shopping I'm always looking at the mountains near me for signs of the buzzards flying around take care and keep up your great videos from paul
Always a highlight when you post a new video. There is something really touching in the way your connect with nature and your passion for photography. Keep it up - it's inspiring.
Hi Simon a lovely video to watch and it's nice to hear your feeling better. I got a nice new tripod for Christmas that sits as low as yours with the legs splayed out so I'm hoping to get some of those lovely images like yours. Have a happy new year and I will look forward to seeing more of you in 2020 so until next time take care my friend.
Lovely way to welcome the New Year b watching this first thing. Great video as usual thanks. Please keep them coming. Can you tell me what quick release are you using with the Gimbal.
Hi Max, very sorry as I completely forgot to reply to you. So the gimbal I'm using is the Benro GH2 although they now do the GH5 version which is fully carbon fibre and much lighter. I'm also using a longer Arco Swiss quick release plate. This is so I can balance the camera and lens on the gimbal when I have either 1.4 or 2x extenders attached which I use both regularly. I hope that helps and apologies again for the slow reply. All the best..
Firstly I hope you are fully recovered now. Secondly, great vlog again Simon, & have to agree with you about getting down to eye level (if possible) with your subject I did this recently with a pair of Snow Buntings & the results were so much better from a low down angle. For me this meant hand holding & laid on the ground, but I was pleased with the results. Keep up the good work, look forward to the Tawny Owl vlog 👍
Great video Simon. You are making a really important statement about the point of view (particularly for water birds) and how it affects the quality of the background. There is however one part that might be misleading in the way you phrase your commentary: it sounds like you are saying that moving the camera up or down will change the amount of out-of-focus blur of the distant reeds in the background. This confusion is reinforced by the two images of the headless swan that you shot from two different heights where the reeds are a lot more blurred in the shot from the lower perspective. In that case, the height of the tripod is only a coincidence - the actual reason for the stronger blur is that the swan is closer (it is noticeably bigger in the frame). I think that the confusion comes from the two different meanings of the word background. It generally refers to what's farther away than the subject (the reeds in this case), but when talking about the background in the specific context of the importance of the point of view, the word background tends to be specifically referring to what is directly behind important parts of the subject (usually the head). In your first and third shot the head is right on the water line. On the second shot, the head is nicely positioned well into the reeds, creating much better separation indeed.
I have the same problem so I use a Camranger that I bought a few years ago. I can set the camera up at ground level and operate it whilst standing up from an iPad. Much easier than crawling about on the ground.
Nice shots...... yup that’s exactly what I did yesterday.... low angle shot of a Swan! 😂. It was the only bird on the lake apart from a Shoveler Duck! Anyway, glad all is well with you now, looking forward to more videos from you in 2020.... 👍
Thanks Paul. Can't believe it was the only subject to photograph but did show the principle of separating the subject from the background. Thanks for following the channel.
Hi Matt, at the moment I'm using the Canon M50 which is excellent for vlogging. I will be using also the Fujifilm XT3 in future upcoming videos in combination with the M50.
Wishing you a happy New Year Simon. Love your videos. An inspiration, especially as I base my channel in Northamptonshire too. Keep up the good work.
Thank you. I must check out your channel. Thanks for commenting.
You know how much I love your photography and videos, Simone. So glad you're feeling better and getting around.
I believe that whatever you photograph, be it ugly or beautiful, you turn it into a masterpiece.
Happy 2020. I vow to get out this year and try to find some wild owls.
Thank you, really enjoyed the video!
Hello mate, just discovered your channel and really enjoyed hearing your knowledge... thanks again and looking forward to seeing more of your content!!! Cheers
Hi, thanks very much and really glad you found the channel and enjoyed the content etc. All the best..
Another great video. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you..
Hi Simon,
I only found your channel recently and have started to work my way through your videos.
I shoot a lot of landscape photography but due to the imposed lockdown, I’ve just stated shooting the wildlife in my back garden and I’m throughly enjoying it.
I live in Cambridgeshire which has some great nature reserves and so I’m looking forward getting out as soon as we’re allowed.
I also suffered with tinnitus. I’ve had it for 6-7 years and for the first 6 months I didn’t think I’d be able to cope, but now I know it’s pattens and I know how to deal with it, it’s a lot better.
I wish you well for the future
Regards
Darren
Good to see you back Simon! More videos like this one please! Like many people I have known the principle of getting down low for a better perspective for a long time, your video explains the reason for it better than anything I have previously seen! Really like seeing the comparison shots side by side! Happy new year!
Thanks very much Peter and a happy new year to you also.
Happy new year dude, looking forward to more great videos
Thanks Jason and you too..
I hope you didn't have the covid bug stay safe I really enjoy watching your programs on my tablet they are really inspiring to also help me out with my bird photography I'm always watching the birds from my living room window and when I go out for my shopping I'm always looking at the mountains near me for signs of the buzzards flying around take care and keep up your great videos from paul
Always a highlight when you post a new video. There is something really touching in the way your connect with nature and your passion for photography. Keep it up - it's inspiring.
Thank you Patrick. That's very kind. Glad you like them.
Thank you, Simon for a very relaxing video. I really enjoyed your lesson.
Joan
All the best Simon, in health and in happiness. Been following you since you started and your vlogs have become a must watch...
Thanks Nigel. Really appreciate your comments and glad you like them.
All the best for 2020 Simon, I look forward to seeing more from you in the new year. 👍
Glad you are overcoming what gave you a minor setback. All the best for the new decade, Simon.
Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year! from the Island of Samar, Philippines
Another great vlog Simon, wishing you a very happy and healthy 2020, looking forward to the next one.
Thank you David and have a great new year..
Hi Simon a lovely video to watch and it's nice to hear your feeling better. I got a nice new tripod for Christmas that sits as low as yours with the legs splayed out so I'm hoping to get some of those lovely images like yours. Have a happy new year and I will look forward to seeing more of you in 2020 so until next time take care my friend.
Thanks Clive. Glad you liked the video and that you've got yourself a new tripod. Have fun using it.
Lovely way to welcome the New Year b watching this first thing. Great video as usual thanks. Please keep them coming. Can you tell me what quick release are you using with the Gimbal.
Hi Max, very sorry as I completely forgot to reply to you. So the gimbal I'm using is the Benro GH2 although they now do the GH5 version which is fully carbon fibre and much lighter. I'm also using a longer Arco Swiss quick release plate. This is so I can balance the camera and lens on the gimbal when I have either 1.4 or 2x extenders attached which I use both regularly. I hope that helps and apologies again for the slow reply. All the best..
Firstly I hope you are fully recovered now. Secondly, great vlog again Simon, & have to agree with you about getting down to eye level (if possible) with your subject
I did this recently with a pair of Snow Buntings & the results were so much better from a low down angle. For me this meant hand holding & laid on the ground, but I was pleased with the results.
Keep up the good work, look forward to the Tawny Owl vlog 👍
Nice to see you back Simon, i think we have all been suffering one way or another.
Great video Simon. You are making a really important statement about the point of view (particularly for water birds) and how it affects the quality of the background. There is however one part that might be misleading in the way you phrase your commentary: it sounds like you are saying that moving the camera up or down will change the amount of out-of-focus blur of the distant reeds in the background. This confusion is reinforced by the two images of the headless swan that you shot from two different heights where the reeds are a lot more blurred in the shot from the lower perspective. In that case, the height of the tripod is only a coincidence - the actual reason for the stronger blur is that the swan is closer (it is noticeably bigger in the frame). I think that the confusion comes from the two different meanings of the word background. It generally refers to what's farther away than the subject (the reeds in this case), but when talking about the background in the specific context of the importance of the point of view, the word background tends to be specifically referring to what is directly behind important parts of the subject (usually the head). In your first and third shot the head is right on the water line. On the second shot, the head is nicely positioned well into the reeds, creating much better separation indeed.
Glad to see you out and about again, Simon. Really looking forward to more great videos like this, especially owls🦉! All the best for 2020.
Glad you are better another great video looking forward to the next one
Thanks Steve..
Sorry to hear about the tinnitus have suffered for yearscafternleavingbthevservices. Happy new year
Happy New Year Simon.Look forward to your 2020 videos.
Thanks Guy and a happy New Year to you also. Have a good one.
Nice way to end 2019, Happy New Year Simon :)
Thank you very much. 👍 Have a great New Year..
Nice to see you back Simon. All the best for 2020 and look forward to many more quality vlogs.
Thanks very much Lee. 👍
I really enjoyed watching this and how you presented it! I’ll definitely be subscribing!
Thank you Meg. I'm really glad you like it and thanks for subscribing.. all the best.
Happy new year to you.
Always a goal of mine to isolate the subject whenever possible. Best wishes for the New Year
Thanks Camilla and have a great new year.
Watched the very best first of yours....and you inspired me a lot as I want to learn more about wildlife photography. Thank you sir...
Thank you very much. I'm glad you like them.
good to see you back Simon
Thanks a lot Andrew.
Happy New Year Simon
Thanks Pete. You too.
Wishing you a great 2020.
Thanks David and you..
Getting down low is one thing Simon but getting back up these days is almost impossible for me without someone to pull me up!🤔😀
I have the same problem so I use a Camranger that I bought a few years ago. I can set the camera up at ground level and operate it whilst standing up from an iPad. Much easier than crawling about on the ground.
ua-cam.com/video/K_APXK65j3w/v-deo.html
happy new year !!
Thanks - and you..
👌👌👌
Nice shots...... yup that’s exactly what I did yesterday.... low angle shot of a Swan! 😂. It was the only bird on the lake apart from a Shoveler Duck! Anyway, glad all is well with you now, looking forward to more videos from you in 2020.... 👍
Thanks Paul. Can't believe it was the only subject to photograph but did show the principle of separating the subject from the background. Thanks for following the channel.
Which camera do you use to vlog ?
Hi Matt, at the moment I'm using the Canon M50 which is excellent for vlogging. I will be using also the Fujifilm XT3 in future upcoming videos in combination with the M50.