I'm Damian John, a live music turned wildlife photographer from the West Midlands, UK. Join me as I go on adventures photographing wildlife attempting to give a more honest insight into the world of wildlife photography. Not every trip is going to be filled with rare once in a lifetime species so come with me and learn to appreciate all of natures beautiful little creatures, one photograph at a time.
I enjoyed this. I’ve never used a flash for macro work and I was just toying with selling my flash gun due to a lack of use. Perhaps I should keep it. Someone in the comments was a bit harsh (pun intended) with your use of flash and the results but I’d tend to disagree. With a lower flash output you may have got better results. They suggested to use a tripod and all the other things which to me simply restrict the freedom of how you’ve worked for these shots. There’s a certain loss of spontaneity when setting up a tripod, it can be a real bore and time consuming especially when insects move or decide to fly off and it won’t really help with wind and movement of the insects. I’ve missed possible shots of other insects when my camera is fixed to a tripod but hand held these opportunities can often be utilised. As with all things being flexible is best and as an exercise in practise with handheld macro and flash this was a success.
Heya, thank you for such a thought out comment. I think there's a time and place for such spontaneity and going through the process of meticulously setting up a shot.... Not going to lie, I much prefer the spontaneity 🤣 I'm glad you understood the vibe of this video, I was never going for award winning images, I just wanted to have some fun on a weekend. 😄 Cheers!
Your video sequences showing these insects are 1000 times better than the flashed to death (and no diffusor in the world would have made it better) snapshots! Get yourself a tripod, remote release and maybe a diffusor (for those times when the natural light becomes too harsh) and your photos will become as good as your video sequences!
If you use focus peaking ... I would suggest to put it on 'Low' rather than 'High' . Will help you a lot . Also getting a DCR-250 maybe be beneficial .
The low focus peaking is genuinely a great shout and something I would never have considered. Looking back now I've been through all my images, a bunch were just ever so slightly out despite my peaking saying they were fine. I was using High so I presume it was showing a larger area of focus opposed to a thin sliver at critical. Cheers for the advice!
I've just purchased the RF 100mm macro to have a go at macro. Think it's going to be a steep learning curve for me 😂. Enjoying your videos Damian, keep up the good work.
Another fab video, despite the weather, well done! Enjoyed every minute - but especially the barn owl, the stoat (or was it a weasel?) and brilliant to get the bittern too. I photographed my first sedge warbler by a canal last week! When I zoomed in I could see it had a blue damselfly in its bill.
Another Great Video Damian, Exactly where I saw the Barn owl on my video a few weeks back glad you got it and the stoat and Bittern were cracking spots 👌🏻
That's not a bad shout, can't guarantee I'll remember to check while out in the field but I'll try... (Honestly it's tough enough remembering to take a photo for the thumbnail 🤣)
They have cleared the field, cut the field to stubble, made a bonfire of all the detritus and furniture, barn is empty, Don't think barny will be back in the field, have to see what else the owners ruin.
Hi Damian, thanks for the video and taking the time to show this wonderful area and all the little birdies..I have that lens and find it to be very good, although it does have limitations but these can be worked around. I was in the UK last year and did some birding in Scotland and was so looking forward to see some of the common birds that inhabit the area, i was getting so excited about seeing birds that are just so prolific over there that people couldnt understand me, but you see, I come from Australia and to me those birds were all new and so exciting, even if they are everywhere. We have wonderful birds down under but just like you, we can walk around for hours trying to find them, especially the little ones. Anyway, thanks again..have subscribed because i like your vibe..
i've put a lot of years into dippers, finding better locations that suit photography. If you commit to doing that you will be rewarded as they're brilliant birds to watch and photograph.
I had an absolute blast watching them go about their days, it's definitely something I want to do again especially now I have the camo net ready to go!
I was chatting to a canon rep about the 200-800 earlier this week, apparently anyone putting their name on the wait list at the moment will be waiting around about a year which is insane
Great vid bud!! You had more luck than me. I sat on the river for about 3 hours and seen endless dippers and kingfishers but none of them landed. The joys of wildlife photography!!
Cheers mate! I feel your pain, the amount of flyby's I had just hoping for them to land. I'm still amazed that no adults landed near me while I was under the camo but there's always next time
Omg, the tawny owlet!! So precious! As always, beautiful videography and photos and restful background music. (No wonder there is no wildlife to be seen down south - it's all up where you are!!) Keep up the good work!
Hi Damian, I'm happy for you, on April 9th our life changed when we saw a tawny owl with 3 chicks for the first time. In recent months we have followed the development of the little ones, it is an emotion that cannot be described, pure joy that touches your heart.🤗🦉
@@damianjohnwildlife yes, and it's also sad because you know they will go away, but they are so beautiful, and every moment spent observing them enriches you inside, thanks Damian
Hey man. Excellent sharp footage of all the birds! Nice to see that you are respectfully enjoying it. Your videos motivate me to go out again after a while hah. Never spotted an owl before, so im a bit jealous.
Heya Ray! Thank you so much for your kind words. Not going to lie, i have never been so lucky before, the owl was a complete and utter fluke, one of which I'm so grateful for 😄
