Photography MISTAKES that all beginners make (but I wish I could have avoided).
Head to squarespace.com/simon to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code simon
Join me in Botswana in 2024!
www.simondentremont.com/botsw...
Want to take amazing wildlife photos? Check out my new course with 20 modules and over 5 hours of content, no fluff!
journalofwildlifephotography....
My name is Simon d'Entremont and I'm a professional wildlife and nature photographer from Eastern Canada. This video will show you how to avoid the most common photography mistakes.
I use Topaz Labs software for noise reduction, sharpening and upscaling:
topazlabs.com/ref/1943/Simon/...
Music in intro: "Nicer", by Houses on the Hill. Find that, and other sound effects at Epidemic Sounds
share.epidemicsound.com/0fbndn
My equipment:
Canon R5 body amzn.to/3UQeROc
Canon R6 body amzn.to/3RpYqVX
Canon R8 body amzn.to/3AR2mcA
Canon R5 battery grip amzn.to/3dUrHKF
Canon 100-400 EF II amzn.to/3UQi4gJ
Canon 17-40 L lens amzn.to/3y71MGt
Canon RF 16mm f2.8 amzn.to/3EmPNJ1
FLM Tripod (CP 34 L4 II) and Levelling Head (HB 75) www.flmcanada.com?aff=sdentrem
Sigma Art 50mm f1.4 lens amzn.to/3fkRjAC
Sigma Art 20mm f1.4 lens amzn.to/3CjKto2
Rokinon 135mm f2 lens amzn.to/3SoB3x3
Sirui x-k40 ball head amzn.to/3E7Z5sc
Sirui lightweight Traveler 7C tripod with head amzn.to/3dS9Bca
Manfrotto Video Head amzn.to/3RlZie5
Wimberley Gimbal Head amzn.to/3flhya8
Jackery portable 240 lithium-ion battery amzn.to/3rCzX5r
ProGrade Gold 128 GB CF Express amzn.to/3fyx1nh
ProGrade Cobalt 325 GB CF Express amzn.to/3y3Ywf1
ProGrade Gold 256 GB SD amzn.to/3y0Xssg
Zoom H1n field recorder amzn.to/3Sozob9
Comica shotgun mic amzn.to/3REWN73
Rode Videomic NTG shotgun mic amzn.to/3BRlcQK
Rode Wireless GO II mic set amzn.to/3BUfIoh
Lenscoat neoprene camera bags amzn.to/3SNiqmz
Lencoat rain cover for 500mm F4 amzn.to/3SGtyl2
Falconeyes F7 LCD panel amzn.to/3y75z6F
Lowepro 450 AW large backpack amzn.to/3xZOHyL
Lowepro Flipside 300 small backpack amzn.to/3SOTWt7
Mindshift 36L (closest available) backpack amzn.to/3C0fagy
DJI Mavic Air 2S drone (flymore combo) amzn.to/3M9TuDL
B&W circular polarizer, 77mm amzn.to/3SKc6Mx
B&W 2 stop ND Filter amzn.to/3URyIN6
B&W 6 stop ND filter amzn.to/3y6gs8G
B&W 10 stop ND filter amzn.to/3fwRIjs
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 binoculars amzn.to/3URprEz
Blackrapid retro-classic shoulder strap amzn.to/3y0wUHt
FjallRaven trekking pants amzn.to/3y77DeV
Heat 3 gloves (shell only) www.theheatcompany.com/en-us/...
Heat Company Merino Wool liners www.theheatcompany.com/en-us/...
HP Omen 17.3" performance laptop amzn.to/3BZ7w69
Synology NAS storage amzn.to/3BXfcWF
16 TB hard drives for NAS amzn.to/3LTdrOW
Follow me on:
Facebook / sdentrem
Instagram / simon.dentremont
VERO vero.co/simondentremont
Website www.simondentremont.com/
What’s the weirdest « Tree in head » thing you’ve ever found in one of your photos?
Yes, electrical wires that were all connected to the head of my wife's grandparents. Even from their ears. They were sitting together on a coach in the living room and a light with cables was behind them. It later appeared to be the best available pictures of them before they passed away of old age... I had to touch up the entire photo using photoshop many years ago without all the modern options. It is weird touching up photos from dlte deceased, but very rewarding.
My weirdest was a twig sticking out of a portrait shot. A small branch sticking right of my subject's ear. Hahaha looked like an arrow, learned a good lesson there. I will tape HASTE on the back of my camera bag TY.
Dust specs or hard water stains on a flower petal of an image created for fine art image.
Unfortunately my latest "tree in head" was literally in my head! Ugh, I was taking photos of this amazing tree stump, had a hat on, and turned around and bam - I hit a limb sticking out so hard it drew blood! (By the way, I love your videos! Thank you so much for all that you share with us)
More so in video. Either my knee or foot gets in the way on pans sometimes. Speaking of photos. Those dang hiking poles always get in the pictures somehow. 😑
My biggest beginner mistake was not stopping to take a photo when I saw it, thinking that I could come back later and it would still be there. Nope. If you see a photo, take the shot then. The light might change or maybe you can't return to the exact spot. A related mistake is not working the shot. Sometimes just moving a little or changing the angle of a shot can greatly improve it.
If you drive to work on a bike (for instance) and you see a buzzard sitting on a pole 5 days in a row, and you return in the weekend, you can be sure the bird isn't sitting there :-). Wildlife is unpredictable
Yes and often you only a very short window, light can change so quick, and or your subject moves on.
I would be the same for sure!
That's so true. And additionally shoot more photos. You might think, you got what you wanted. But chances are, something went wrong with one picture or the other. I started with film, where you had only a very limited number of pictures available. Some of that still is in my mind. Even if I have the feeling I have done so many shots, in the end there is not always the picture I really wanted or too many are not sharp, or I just did one perspective and missed some other, e.g. just tele and nothing of the surrounding or the complete scenery.
@@reinhard8053 I started with film too. So, every shot counted. You only had 12, 24, or 36 shots per roll. It made you slow down and think about all the things you should think about to get a good photo. It was a great way to learn photography.
That bird in the cold with the visible breath is amazing!
Thanks for that "And...?" tip. It's so simple but I don't think I've heard it put so well and intuitively beforehand.
You're very welcome!
I'm an amateur photographer, and I've followed several KZhead channels. This one is by far the best one for learning. While other photographers talk about photos outside with background music and inspiring you to take photos of the great outdoors (nothing wrong with that), Simon sits you down and explains things clearly and concisely.
Wow, thanks!
I agree, also Mike Browne is channel to watch, I learned everyhing there.
"This is a photo of my subject and ..." Genius.
I bought my first camera this year, and your channel has been one of the greatest sources of information and help to make my photos better! Thank you for making all of these videos!
Great to hear!
Sir, my best wishes for you on your new adventure!!!!!! I hope it’s as fun and rewarding as mine has been!!!!!! Yes this is a great channel to learn from and please, please never be afraid or embarrassed to ask any questions!!! How else are we to learn!!!! I learn everyday and I’ve been a photographer for over 40 years!!!!!!
I bought my camera more than 10 years ago, but this channel is still a great source of information 😄
Same here
This is a great mnemonic! I especially appreciate the “and ?”-that tip can really take a mediocre or decent shot to the next level. You have an outstanding channel and explain things well without making me feel terrible for the mistakes I’ve made along the way.
If you can pronounce mnemonic you have a great memory.
I am a total newb to this game and your videos have been incredible. Best of all, unlike so many other photo/videography channels, your videos are actually designed to be helpful instead of just being ads designed to look like something helpful.
Awesome, thank you!
I relate to the "Subject AND SOMETHING". Whenever I review my pictures, the one I'm naturally attracted to are the pictures that has Subject AND something. I didn't notice it until you mentioned it. Will now try to make a habit when I take photographs and hopefully have a higher keeper rate.
Really like your ”You can do it” approach. Assertive, but with an underlying humility. As a retired photo/video teacher I'm guilty of many photo-mistakes throughout the years. Here was a chance to raise my level! Alas, I lost concentration because of the short appearance of two gorgeous models in this video. Always loved portrait work, any age, any sex. A truly unique and exciting way to interact with another human being.
My tips that would have saved a lot of my photos: 1) Examine the photo carefully and critically on the spot. Maybe I can have a better composition. Maybe there's a twig that I can remove from the shot. 2) Reset some settings at the *end* of a photo session to typical settings: ISO (auto for me), aperture (depends, but F/5..F/7), exposure compensation (0), shutter timer (off), white balance (auto), focus mode (auto) or anything such. That way, I will not end up with noisy/blurry photos and/or will not miss a shot when I have to quickly grab the camera. 3) With a moving subject, take the photo. The readjust. I've missed some photos because I wanted to adjust it to be better (especially if I had not followed through on my second tip).
Loved this video. "HASTE" - so helpful ! Thanks Simon d'Entremont
Glad it was helpful!
Your mentioning of the histogram just saved my life (well... my gallery). I'm an amateur photographer with a Canon EOS 850D/Rebel T8i, and there were so many features I never knew my camera had. All it took was you mentioning histograms, and I was like "ooooh, where do I find that?", and I not only found the histograms but also something that tells me if my camera is tilted too far to the right or left.
You’re awesome. Your tips can be applied even to my amateur photography with iPhone, and theyre very precious. Great job, cant wait for next tips!
Awesome! Thank you!
I’m thrilled, but not surprised, to see how fast your subscribers have grown! Wow, I remember when you had less than 20K…it’s a testament to how valuable your content is to photographers! Great to see the growth and thanks for all the great videos!
Thank you so much!!
I’m a relatively experienced street photographer, who mainly shoots film, but even I’m finding this channel useful! The advice is very well presented and relevant to different styles of photography 👍
In addition to the useful content and the lack of anything that is off-putting, I enjoy listening to your voice.
Thank you so much for all of your videos! I took your advices the last time I did bird photography, especially on the ISO part by keeping it at 1600+, and it was the best advice ever. I have never had so many good photos of birds in motion before, and the noise in the photos aren’t even really that bad and was easily removable in Lightroom.
I could never compute hyperfocal distance in my head on the fly. That 1/3 distance focus tip is gold - it will help me greatly
Bottom third?
After over 10 year hiatus, I started to do some photography this year. It's been a pleasure to learn from a professional like you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Always appreciate your great tips!
Also 1 tip I found is we can change the auto focus mode to servo for moving target which will keep tracking the subject.
Glad you got a sponsorship, you deserve it.
Last year I started using Auto ISO and for most shots it's fine. DSLRs' have come a long way in noise reduction at high ISO.
Thanks for the acronym, Simon! It is very helpful.
" And ? " Got me ! ❤❤❤
Thanks for all the EDU Simon, I’m a lifer from the Journal of Wildlife Photography but first remember you from Gavin’s videos. Just wanted to say thanks for the meaningful content!!🙏🏼
Thank for the acronym! Love your channel, knowledge, and work. Looking forward to more videos about your Africa trip!
Thank you for the tips, Simon. The accronym is very easy to remember!
My biggest learning moment was going out shooting city lights at night with some friends, but forgetting to turn face-detect on my camera! I'm so used to phone cameras having the feature that I forgot in my digital camera it's a separate setting, and came home with lots of blurry faces! Now I've added the setting as a quick-access menu item and won't forget to use it when shooting portraits
Perfect revision before a trip
Excellent tips! I've shared in a photography sub-reditt because I was amazed how many people with really good gear where asking for "solutions to gear problems" that were actually photo basics. Great channel, you got a new subscriber :)
I love the "AND" tip! Thank you Simon!
Good call on chimping. Sports guys used to harp against it. You don't want to overdo it and miss a moment. But I check constantly with the histogram on to make sure I'm dialed in and no blowing out highlights.
Thank you for this!
This is a Master class! Thank you very much
More power sir. greetings from Philippines ❤
Was hoping for more footage from Africa, but these tips are fantastic! What I tend to do, especially when taking photos of a species I haven't seen much before, is take a quick picture to lower my anxiety/adrenaline and just add the species to my "collection", and then take time to consider HASTE. The acronym helps a lot. Thanks again!
Terrific summary of basic considerations. Love the HASTE acronym!
4:17 This is a great point to highlight the importance of composition : even something as majestically spectacular as an Aurora needs an 'And?'.
Thanks for the straightforward advice on ISO! I still underexpose quite a bit and it not only takes me hours to process photos that wouldn’t have needed it, but I lose sharpness and quality. I’ll try your tips next time I go out!
OMG... this is GOLDEN info... thank you Simon!
Blinkies made me laugh :). Hadnt heard them called this. I always worked with zebras.
Thank you for your videos. I've learned a lot as an amateur, and you are an invaluable source I keep returning too for guidance. Great work sir!
You have answered so many questions for me. Thank you!!
I'm so glad!
Another awesome video! My biggest issue is that I never take enough photos of the one scene. I tend to take a photo, think it’s good and move on. Only to discover later, any host of issues is there.
Your are my favorite sir ❤❤❤❤
Wow, thanks
Recently upgraded from a D5200 to a D7100. You're videos have helped me come on in leaps and bounds and I can't thank you enough for your concise but easy to understand run through of differing techniques. I will definitely remember to shoot in H. A, S. T. E next time I'm out and about. Cheers 👍👍 Keep up the great content 😎😎👍👍
Those are really the best advices on photography I've ever heard
Thank you for this amazingly Informative video!
Another round of good relevant advice. Thanks Simon.
Thank you, Simon. Terrific summary of some key concepts. Much appreciated 🙏👍🎉
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks, Simon...all five points are excellent and useful, but the ISO attitude -- "go there first" is an outstanding approach for me.
Great video and advice. I really appreciated the “and”.
Great advice Simon! Thanks!
What a nice moment to have you here! Thank you for your work.
Welcome!
Simon, thanks for this great tip set and the HASTE acronym to facilitate memory, when it counts ie. , in the field.
Amazing tutorials, so professional. I will use your videos to train my kids in photography. Thank you for making these.
Another note for my field notes back pocket booklet. Thanks , Simon.All the best for 2024.
Spot on acronym!! As an amateur who doesn't shoot daily like a pro it's super useful to have a tool like your HASTE acronym as a reminder to slow down and practice getting it right because that's how you'll get quicker at it eventually. Have a great week!
“And” is a super tip… so many technically perfect photos with no impact- great advice to take it to the next level.
Glad it was helpful!
I’ve been shooting for years and have not had a good way to put the “and?” into words. Thank you!
Another great video Simon. I can't count all of these mistakes I've made in the past and your summary is an excellent refresher on how to be more consistent in taking good images! Good acronym as well.
Glad you enjoyed it
Brand new to photography. Learning so much from these videos. Thank you!
Happy to help!
Thank you so much for all your advice Simon. I have just returned from a Vancouver/Alaska/Seattle trip and because of all your tips, most of my images were keepers. Before I would end up deleting so many that were blown out or blurred/noisy. I was amazed at how a few small tweeks to how I took my photos made so much difference.
Fantastic!
Simon you are the best source of information about photography that i found so far. The way you share your knowledge is so clear and easy to understand. It's a rare and a powerful skill. Hats off to you 👏
My pleasure!
Another great video ,thank you 😊
Thank again for this clear and understandable video helping get better photos! I like your style how you are teaching and your great examples. Please keep going and I am looking for your next tips. I can use it in my hobbie. Thank you for sharing us your experience in this way!
You have just perfect approach to photography. Tank you for all your tips and advices
Glad you like them!
A lot of great info here. You're channel is my favorite when it comes to photography tips!
Wow, thanks!
Oh, my GOD, the breath on that bird during the intro bit!!!! Fantastic!
Glad you enjoyed it!
@simon_dentremont actually Simon, I have been enjoying many of your videos since I discovered you. You're one of the best KZheadrs, because not only is your content great, but the presentation is very professional. Brevity, and densely-packed with information. A+
Im glad you enjoyed my country😊
Thanks Simon
EVERY SINGLE ASPECT of your videos is just extraordinary. THANK YOU for all the help and inspiration!
Glad you like them!
Yaaay new video!!!❤ Wow that’s the angriest I’ve ever seen you!! And I’m GLAD!! I see that ‘real photographers don’t’ crap every day on social media.
Exactly!! I plan to make a whole video on this soon!
excellent tips! THANK YOU!
This channel should have way more subscribers! It´s one of the best out there. You’re such a good teacher!!!
Wow, thank you!
Man, your tips are so reasonable. Thank you so much!
Glad you like them!
That's such high quality content. Thank you Simon!
My pleasure!
Your an amazing teacher 🙏🙏👏👏👏
Wow, thank you!
Simon these are all pertinent 'life lessons' for photographers. We have all experienced gnashing of teeth when viewing images at home and for me not adequately identifying and respecting the light highlights on plumage was the big one (happily this does become more intuitive over time). Other lessons in your acronym can be quite subtle (E.g. angle, framing, leading lines, habitat inclusion). I always enjoy viewing more of your images and today this included abstract building/light play, sunlit tulips, wall art, aurora, beautiful backlit birds You remind us all what an absolute joy photography is. Thanks again.
The best photography channel here in youtube! Thanks a lot for such useful info!!
Glad you think so!
Thank you so much for your advice and knowledge 🎉
Any time!
This is really solid. I mostly explored *real* photography (as opposed to 110 snapshots) in college around 99-2004 (doing some after that, but not nearly as much) on a Nikon F3. Then I took a long break because of life, and recently decided to get back into it with digital. On film I used Fuji 400 as my default film, not really going to any higher ISO, and occasionally using a lower ISO Kodak for specific types of shots. Most of what I learned was from a book that was written in the late 70s, so I got good at eyeballing the light levels, etc, doing the settings from that, shooting, and then seeing what I got back from Wolf Camera. So about a year ago I bought a Sony a7iii, a fixed lens (G-series), and a 24-70 zoom lens (also a tripod, bag, memory card and so on). I got an Udemy course on the technical features of the camera, but it was really overwhelming me with new info and I have to go back and watch it. Also one on digital photography in general. I'm definitely way less confident with my skills, and I feel like not trying to conserve film (because it's expensive) is making me more casual. It is weird to use over 400 ISO, because I pretty much never did with film (maybe used 800 once). I started watching your videos randomly and they are *really* useful for me so far. I loved your tip on overexposing and leaving the gap on the right. I'm going to watch more of yours, and also learn more about the technical features of my camera now that I'm not just being hit with a ton of info with no context. Sometimes when I've gone out for a specific kind of shot, I've looked up ideal setting online in advance. Like I went out to shoot Christmas lights last December. despite using a tripod, a bunch of my shots had a slight shake. I looked up on my phone and found out I actually needed to turn steadyshot off, because it would overcompensate in such scenarios, and the second half of my shots came out better. For the most part, I've been defaulting to aperture priority, and then switching over to manual after taking a few shots. I'm going to watch more of your videos, and possibly sign up for a course at a local community college, if I can make it fit my work schedule.
Been doing amateur photography for close to a decade now and this is such a great refresher for bad habits, sloppy oversights, or just a reminder to re-check my camera settings!
Brilliant tips, Simon, thank you.
Very welcome
You make photography easy to understand.
Please someone at the CBC give Simon his own show. We like him! He's a good egg. Come on CBC!
You are the best photography teacher I have seen here on this app Most guys stick to ISO 100 😂😂😂😂
Very helpful and a pleasure to watch as always, thanks for the tips Simon :)
My pleasure!
Great tips! I was struggling yesterday with some of these things, your tips helped me get the photos I wished for! 👍
You are an amazing teacher, and all this knowledge for free? Thank you!
You're very welcome!
Amazing video like usual. I love the HASTE I will definitely commit that to memory. I just scheduled my first photoshoot to start building my portfolio and I'm a little nervous but your videos always give great information. Thank you again !
That is awesome!
Thank you for the quality help
Any time!
Another great video with lots of tips.Thank You.
My pleasure!
Awesome tips as usual, Simon. Love your HASTE acronym. This is very helpful! I've made very single one of these mistakes. I've now learned the importance of "protecting your highlights".
Fantastic!
Extremely helpful. Thank you
Awesome video! I love these quick suggestions. I have usually used about half, but not really realized I was doing something I could think about in any photo. The other half are all new and super useful. Keep it coming! ;)
Glad it was helpful!
Great video! Thanks a lot! I like your clear speech and well structured sentences!
Thank you! 😃
Great advice. I would be so excited that I wouldn’t stop and mentally focus on what I’m doing. I’m getting a lot better. I recently got diagnosed with adult ADHD so I think that may have been some of the problem. I try to look at it as experience gained if nothing else. And being prepared before you leave is also important. Batteries charged, extra lens caps.