MY 5 TOP PRO TIPS to QUICKLY take better photos!

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My name is Simon d'Entremont and I'm a professional wildlife and nature photographer from Eastern Canada. In this video, I'll show you the 8 most common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them.

I use Topaz Labs software for noise reduction, sharpening and upscaling:

Music in intro: "Nicer", by Houses on the Hill. Find that, and other sound effects at Epidemic Sounds

My equipment:
FLM Tripod (CP 34 L4 II) and Levelling Head (HB 75)
GuraGear 30L bag for 600mm f4, use Code Simon for 10@% off

[RG-rmjt]

I love this channel. Simon goes to Africa and Svalbard, and then shows you how to take cool photos in your own kitchen.

[reefwithmee]

“Getting closer” seems to be a common theme you’ve mentioned! Macro shots with corals and the tiny animal polyps is what brought me to photography! I’m just looking for the perfect Macro lens.

Done! ✅

[homesteadhandyman]

I am a beginner at age 69. Thanks for all the help. Love your videos.

[verliefdoppraag]

Can a person be addicted to a youtube channel? Well, I am...every video is spot on. I love your presentation, your voice (could be used for zen-meditation), your ways to explain difficult things in simple language and easy things in difficult language....

[hoangcan]

One of the best teachers on youtube! Thank you!

[lukelouis]

Hey Simon, I've been watching your videos since December of 2023, It was a tough month because my grandma was very sick and unfortunately passed away in January of this year and I was always comforted by your voice and videos and amazing photos. To this day I still watch you and follow your photo tips which have made me better at photography. Keep making videos with this style and I really appreciate you. Love from Italy

[theWZZA]

I shoot birds; most of the time, I'm just happy to get close enough for a decent photo. As you mention, I often end up with one dimensional images. Incorporating these tips would no doubt take things to a new level!

[BirdnoseRangel]

I can't believe it took me this long to realize why I never liked school photos. They're mugshots with forced, unnatural, smiles. I learned some of the techniques in this video intuitively, but I never understood why I liked high shutter speeds with continuous shots. I LIKE THINGS TO LOOK ALIVE IN A PHOTO. So now that I have an idea of what kind of photos I'm looking for I can compose them with more direction. I love your insights Mr. d'Entremont, they help answer why my photos are missing that "je ne sais qoi".

[seanmain]

I watch most of your videos. They have made me a much better photographer. I am 60 and am very good at Motorsports and animals. But after spending a few months studying your work, it’s opened my mind up to new ways of shooting.

[henrikmartensson]

Thank you for making excellent videos, and a great Youtube channel!

Since you asked, here are some things I have shot during my recent vacation:

* A Higlander/Film Noir inspired sword fight
* Lions (Admittedly, not the best from a technical perspective. Still, lions.)
* Macro photo of a very small snail sitting on a large flower.
* Nighttime HDR cityscape, with a giant full moon. I did shoot the moon with a longer lens, and composited it in.
* The interior of a submarine. (At a marine museum.)
* The Karla Tower (highest building in Gothenburg), against a backdrop of angry looking clouds.

...and a bunch of other stuff. After a couple of not-so-great attempts, I managed to get several nice macro shots during a morning walk in Halmstad, on the Swedish west coast.

[ak_hoops]

Always such great and useful tips! No clickbait, just good tips to help us improve.

[jonathanmartinez]

This is the best photography channel on You Tube! I learn so much! Finish the video and start right away to use your advice. Thank you Simon!❤

[jiun-oh]

I am Korean. I stumbled upon your YouTube and felt like I found a diamond in the rough, so I hit the subscribe button. I'll be checking back often and wish you the best of luck.

[p.burley]

This is probably one of the most, if not THE, essential lesson in photography!

[Kellysher]

I would love to see you take us back out into the field to practice some of these tips in wildlife situations. Real life examples would really help in understanding how to implement the concepts using a typical zoom, not a big prime. I’ve been trying to experiment with foreground blur more, as some of the wetlands I shoot at are obscured with tall grasses. I can’t decide if the grasses should be closer to the lens or farther away from the lens. I’m struggling on what is artistic and what is just crap and why! I always learn something from these and I sincerely appreciate your time spent in teaching us.

[alexferguson]

Thank you, Simon. I find your videos to be very informative and helpful. I’ve just upgraded my camera and you have helped me reawaken my love for my oldest hobby. I was taught by my art teacher, when I was 14, from the ground up. Shooting, developing and printing and I’ve been shooting ever since. I’m 67 now, so have a fair bit of experience but you never stop learning and you are teaching me a lot!

[Heymoe]

Hi from Southern Leyte, Philippines! My newest camera has a fold out display. Now I can shoot low without having to lay on the ground. That's important since I'm over 60 and people would think I'm in need of medics instead of trying to get a different angle.

[flostevematt]

Thanks, Simon! As always, 5 (6) easy to remember and relatively easy to master techniques. You are a Godsend to the amateur photographer.

[mikefoster]

Good stuff. For me, peace of mind is the most important thing for taking good photos - in my hobby street photography anyway. If my mind is elsewhere, it's a mess. It's possible I'm a bit ADHD (never been diagnosed), which might amplify this.

[dokvald]

Genuinely love your videos, They've really helped elevate my photos. I'm constantly getting compliments from friends & family about my photos and that's in no small part thanks to you. You do an excellent job simplifying these concepts and minimizing fluff in your videos so I can focus on the good stuff. Thanks for making these!