Lessons
Class Introduction
00:25 2Location Scouting
12:54 3Gear
07:43 4Camera Settings
05:54 5Four Tips for Bird Photography
02:09 6Composition
01:51 7Lighting for Bird Photography
01:43 8Setting Photo Goals - Lewis's Woodpecker
08:03Lesson Info
Location Shoot Overview
Overall we had a really nice morning. We started off with great views and great photo opportunities of Louis' woodpecker. We got there nice and early so that we didn't have to shoot into the sun, we could shoot in the flat, even light. These are not gonna create super vibrant colors, but it's gonna be a lot easier shooting that bird in that light than directly into the sun. Continuing up the road, we had a really nice opportunistic shoot with an American robin with the pink flowers and that awesome perch. These are really fun things 'cause they're not planned. So these are the ones that really make it worth it. When you come out here and you're looking for a bird and you find it, it feels good, you got what you want. But then when you see something and you just come across something that's really cool like that, that's what adds to the experience. We kept going up with the blue bird. It was a failed attempt to get him on the perch that we wanted, but he ended up flying over to a backli...
t area that had some really cool opportunity for a more artistic shot, so we were able to get that. Continuing on down the road, we got some pygmy nuthatch. The pygmy nuthatch were really cool. It took a little while to come in, but with a little bit of patience and perseverance, we were able to wait, get him on the perch that we wanted and nail some nice shots. Right after the pygmy nuthatches left, there's a western wood pewe that came in. I didn't quite get him, I wasn't quite fast enough, so I'll try him again at another time, but that happens where you're shooting, sometimes a bird just flies away before you're able to get a shot and that's okay. I kept going down the road towards the lake area where I know there was a family of ruddy ducks and I was delighted to see them swimming across the pond, backlit with all the bugs flying with kind of some highlighted spots on the water, it looked really, really cool, so that was a great photo op and one that I didn't expect at all, so you always gotta be ready for those unexpected shoots. Overall, today was a really good morning. Not all days are like this. Sometimes I come home with nothing, sometimes I come home with a lot, it just depends. Just remember that patience and perseverance will pay off, you will get the shots you're interested in. One thing I'd like to add, it's really important to have a goal. Do your research, come back, get the photo you're interested in, be happy with your results.
Ratings and Reviews
Cynthia
I liked this class. It gives beginners a great place to start photographing birds. I especially liked his lesson on post-processing. Too many classes skip that part. The use of bird calls is what it is. To be competitive in bird photography you probably have to use them. I personally won't; it's just not worth it to me. So nice to see a young person active in this field!
Colleen Church
This class is wonderful. Ben give you some very helpful information to starting your photo birding adventures. The apps he suggested are very helpful. The tips for scouting and what to look get you going. I will definitely be watching it again.
a Creativelive Student
I really enjoyed this course. The instructor doesn't beat around the bush. He gives you useful information that you can implement. I especially loved that he talks about apps on your phone that could be used to make your experience more fruitful. The only thing I didn't like was the advertisement for Olympus, but you can just skip that part.