Is it a BAD HABIT to always shoot WIDE OPEN?

When you have a fast lens, the temptation is to shoot as wide open as possible...BUT THAT IS A RISK! In this video, Charl will explain why he has taught himself to "stop down" more often than not to get more from his aperture...and take better wildlife photographs!

Timestamps:

00:10 Should you shoot wide open?
02:00 Using a shallow depth of field
04:00 When should you stop down the aperture
06:00 Photographing birds in flight
07:35 Aperture settings for different lenses

We are Pangolin Wildlife Photography, based in The Chobe, Northern Botswana. When not making videos for our channel, we host our guests and clients from all over the world on our Wildlife Photography safaris throughout Botswana and the rest of Africa—and sometimes beyond!


#wildlifephotography #naturephotography #aperture

[PangolinWildlife]

Will this be changing your mindset to shooting wide open from now on?

[kennytudhope]

I recently came back from Chobe and the Okovango Delta with Pangolin, and I gained more knowledge about photography while I was there, than I had in 3 years, I can honestly say these guys will make you a better photographer

[danielx]

I love big huge prime lenses and I love playing around with all of the blur and the beauty, and then I jump up to 5.6 or 8 because it's just too limiting at 1.8

[luzr]

But, but, but... have you any idea what i paid to get these 2s and 2.8s?🤣

[MrTmiket]

Thanks so much for sharing another wonderful video like always, for me f8 always works wonders ❤

[ianslingsby]

Wide open on my RF 100-500 lens at 500mm is 7.1! I'd love to be able to shoot at 2.8 or 4 in the dark winter conditions we have here but last year in Botswana I did find myself using f11 a lot especially for the bigger animals.

[Mr]

My 3 lenses S line Nikon are all GREAT at Wide Open >> No good buying a lens of say only F4 and its only sharp from F8 > My 180-600 is F6.3 wide open and I Never change that Setting >> faster/Brighter than the Oposition 100-500 f7.1 telescoping lens

[IOSALive]

Pangolin Wildlife Photography, This is great! I liked it and subscribed!

[jojo_zimm_wildlife]

hello, what about the aperture when you shot with the rf 100-500 who open a 7.1 at 500mm?

[paultrunfull]

You can apply this same tutorial to sports photography, or your kids runnin around the local park, shooting wide open will isolate players/ subjects and get rid of bad backgrounds, while using a closed down app. will help with goal line melee keeping more players in focus. Or players coming in for a tackle. Nice one Charl.

[HollisRules]

Charl, nice tutorial. I appreciate the insight. Very helpful

[baramirm]

Thank you Charl. I still hear you suggesting me to stop down on our last trip together, since I was too much in love with my f4😂. Barbara from Switzerland

[ScrimshawPhotography]

Having a 2.8 lens is great but you shouldn't be married to it. It's those low light moments when you really need 2.8, not for every single photo

[emesenmurthy]

Thank you team Pangolin for elaborating small things in photography in a big way…

[saptarishibasu]

Thank you again. All the tips you gave helped greatly on my trip to Ol Pejeta and Mara.

[theocoenen]

Thank you Charl, I hope to learn much more from you during my next visit in december. Theo

[eikohariu]

Thank you Pangolin team- very helpful as always!!! Miss you all!! Big hugs.

[andregreyling]

Thanks for this very informative video!!🦁

[digger]

Thanks very useful tips and informative

[joncothranphotography]

Great video, Charl! It's funny that you make this video now. I have recently been playing with this as of late. Thanks for sharing your experience!