How to stay hidden while photographing Wildlife. Types of Blinds I use in my Wildlife Photography
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 พ.ค. 2024
- How do you get closer to wildlife? How to you stay hidden from wildlife? These two questions are some of the hardest parts of wildlife photography. Over the years I've used a lot of different photography blinds (photography hides) to get closer to and photograph a lot of species of birds and other animals. I use photography blinds very regularly and have had a lot of fun and a lot of success in using them over the years. In this week's video, I want to discuss some of the different types of blinds (hides) that I use on a regular basis, why I use different types, the pros and cons to each type and some things to remember when using photo blinds.
I'd love to hear from you, do you use photography blinds? If so, what kind do you use? How do you photograph wildlife and how do you remain hidden from the animals you photograph?
If you've seen some of my videos before, you've probably seen that I enjoy using and talking about the blinds that I use. Here are some videos you might find helpful if you have questions about using photography blinds:
All about my floating blind - • My Homemade Floating B...
Photographing River Otters in a natural blind - • Photographing River Ot...
Photographing Sage Grouse in a photo blind - • A morning Photographin...
If you enjoy this type of photography, you'll enjoy this video I put together last year about different types of camouflage I use:
• How to STAY HIDDEN whi...
As always, thanks for the support, it's greatly appreciated. If you're new to this channel, please consider subscribing and if you liked this video, please share it around, that helps me out so much. Have a great week everyone!
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Most if not all of my successful photographs were taken from a hide (most often, ground hide - my pop-up hide seems way too intimidating for most birds for some reason, maybe it's too big, I dunno). Actually I cannot stress enough how important this fieldcraft really is in bird photography. It is way more important than what exposure mode to use and all this other technical stuff. You may be a master at understanding exposure triangle corelations but if you cannot get close enough to the bird, you won't get your desired photo, plain and simple. Im amazed how many YT bird/wildlife photography channels focus squarely on the technical stuff - I suspect many of them (if not most) are covert paid agents of gear manufacturers - at least the ones that constantly review new lenses/cameras and persuade you to buy the newest model.
In fact I would venture to say - this (ability to hide yourself + also the ability to find wildlife/birds to photograph in your location) is the true art of widlife photography, not squeezing that shutter release. It's by far the hardest and most crucial part of it.
Thanks so much for the input, I couldn't agree with you more. I use blinds more than any other photographer that I personally know. It takes a lot of patience and there are definitely moments of frustration, but it really is the best way to photograph wildlife in my opinion. I think so many photographers are so used to the roadside game (like yellowstone for instance), that they just don't even consider blinds in their photography. Or they rely on baited birds or feeder setups to get their images. But if you ever venture away from these more habituated animals, blinds are absolutely essential to get the images you're after. Thanks again for the input, again, I couldn't have said it better!
Great video, very informative and presented perfectly, thanks for the effort and providing such fantastic tips 👍
Thanks so much for watching and your feedback, sure appreciate it!
The floating one is going on the bucket list! Great video 👌🏻
It's a fantastic way of doing things, thanks for watching!
Wonderful otter footage, Jimmy! ❤
Thanks so much, they're so fun!
There are popup blinds that have opening on ground level too.
Yeah, I've seen them, seems like a really nice concept. Working on designing one right now actually 😁
Excellent Video, Very Helpful And Informative. Beautiful Photographs Thanks For Sharing Your Knowledge.
Thanks for watching and your feedback, I'm happy you found it useful 😁
Wonderful and very informative video. Thank you for sharing. Best regards. Guy.
Thanks so much for watching, I always appreciate it!
Great video, I'm very happy I found your channel!
Thank you, I'm happy you found it as well, thanks for following along!
Good info Jimmy. My days of packing around much of anything much less laying on the ground, is pretty much my world anymore. But I really enjoy watching your ability and proficiency of using them. Always look forward to your next videos.👍👍
Thanks Terry! It's definitely one of my favorite ways to photograph wildlife these days. As always, thanks for your support!
Another excellent educational video Jimmy. I do have a pop up blind that I do use on occasion but I find that finding a natural place to hide works just as well. It looks like you are having a nice spring, I just wish you would send some our way. We have had the wettest and coldest spring in over 100 years, even frost yesterday on the 14th of May. That on top of our horrendous gasoline prices it has made it very difficult to get out and go very far. We are paying $2.17 per liter which is over $9 a gallon. Have a great week and I will be looking forward to next Sunday's video.
Thanks Keith! I agree with you, the natural places to hide work just as well, if not better than an actual blind at times. The weather has been very up and down out here as well, just not a ton of moisture. We did get frost a few times in the past couple weeks and even a bit of snow the other day. All that aside, it's been pretty nice. I hope things improve for you soon and you're able to make it out a bit more. I hope your nests are all doing well!
@@JimmyBreitenstein Unfortunately none of the Owls or the Eagles came back to the nests from last year. I haven't been able to find the new nest sites if they even nested fhis year.
Bummer, that's always tough when that happens. I hope the birds are okay and that you can find some good alternative nests soon.
Another great video with loads of hints & tips, well done young sir.
I’d love to use a water blind one day, the images you can get & I have seen are incredible. I heard somewhere that because water birds are rarely predated from the water you can get really close to them in a water blind.
Thank you! Yeah, those floating blinds are incredible. I've never heard that, but it makes sense. It's amazing how close they'll come to the blind sometimes.
Great stuff! Thank you 👍
Thanks for looking!
Great video Jimmy - I found it very useful. I have a floating blind which was has given me so much access to water birds and other creatures living in the marsh and is my favorite way to photograph birds - I wear a drysuit so I can swim it across deeper channels if conditions are calm. I also have a bag blind which I have only tried a couple of times - it covers me and my tripod, has a small footprint and is very adjustable for height - I can stand in it or sit in a small Helinox folding camp chair which makes for a relatively comfortable wait. Since it is literally a camo bag with a mesh window I am contemplating fabricating a bit of an internal frame though to keep it off the camera so I can what I am doing. Cheers.
Thank you, I'm glad it was helpful! I've thought about getting or making some sort of bag blind like you're referring to. It sure would come in handy quite often 😊
Another great video!!
I just started using the Tragopan hoki and V2 blinds. Great success so far with Ruffed Grouse drumming. One question, though. Where are your sandals?
Thanks for watching! I'm glad to hear you're having success with the Ruffed Grouse, absolutely beautiful birds! I haven't been able to make time for them yet this year 🥴 Hahaha, shoes over sandals, an odd occurrence indeed 🤣
Thanks for another informative video Jimmy. Also, I hope you manage to do another video on the sage grouse because they are absolutely amazing-looking birds!
Thanks so much! I did do a Sage Grouse video a few weeks ago, thought I'd let you know in case you missed it 😊 Thanks so much for the support!
Hi Jimmy, I also take a small adjustable stool with soft seat, one of the best purchases I have made because it allows me to sit for much longer. All the best.
That's something I need to start doing, my rear end would be forever grateful 🤣
Great video Jimmy. My main issue with blind photography is like you said, immobile. I tend to gravitate to being able to quickly re locate. Shoot and move. Also im hyper sensitive to thinking someone is gonna come up on me and flush the wildlife or attempt to do something stupid not at first seeing someone. lol.. I use an ultralight hiking tent that fits in my pack for crappy weather or a base camp at times while out and ive had multiple people come up on me thinking what the heck is he doing lol. I aint gonna lie though, that ground blind looks very interesting. Great job at showcasing your blinds. Cheers brother.
Thanks for the input, Kevin! I also love being able to shoot and relocate quickly, I guess it all depends on the species I'm trying to photograph. Question, is the tent you use an actual tent, or is it a blind that you also use as a tent?
@@JimmyBreitenstein its an actual tent by One Tigris. Its the Iron Wall Ultra light backpacking tent. Its really lightweight and fits at the bottom of my pack along with the stakes and the one pole it comes with along the side of the pack. I think total weight for the pole, stakes, and tent is like 5 lbs. I can shoot from the entrance by crouching or lying down or from the stove jack hole when im not utilizing a wood stove for the tent. I hadn't found a blind that is as compact for the backpack, i refuse to carry a blind lol im lazy, so i just use this tent. Mainly for sudden extreme weather though.
Great video, Jimmy! I almost never use blinds, because I just don't have the time in my life right bow. If You have 2 hours to get the most interesting photos, You need to move quietly and hope that the camo gear works and You see the animal before it sees You... but I do want to use blinds in the future, so all these tips are great.
I appreciate you watching! Yeah, you definitely need time when using blinds for wildlife photography. I hope you're able to give it a try sometime!
The only point of having camo patterns, is hiding from human vision 😅 you can hide or wear, in bright purple and pink, and wildlife won't notice. Most animals don't see the spectrum you would think, it's your silhuette + movement that reveals your presence, except from scent. This camo culture has gone mad. Stop shopping that nonsense!!
Especially clothing.
A good blind though, it's a simple silhuette cover. Nothing more, nothing less. Im glad you showed both.
Camouflage is a tricky thing for sure. So many different species see so many more or less colors than we do, so I like to play it safe with the natural colors of the environment that I am visiting. And if I'm being honest with myself, the camouflage is very useful in hiding from people out in nature as well, haha. Thanks for your input and for watching, I appreciate it!
Thanks for the video! A floating hide is on the top of my list for this year, can't wait to try it out!
I love using a throw-over blind for these times I want to stay a bit more mobile or pack light. Great alternative, one has to sit a bit more still tho, as the outside moves a bit when you move. Most animals don't seem to care tho ^^ Cheers, L
The floating blinds are amazing, in excited for you to try one out! I agree with you regarding the throw-over blind, very convenient to pack around with. I've been thinking about making one that doubles as a cover for a ground blind that could be set-up with poles, 2 blinds in 1 😊
@@JimmyBreitenstein That's a very good idea!
Hi Jimmy, excellent ane informitive video. One question. The ground blind on the floor looks like et has straps. Is this so and what is the process? Thankyou in advance.
Thanks so much! Yeah, I just sewed some nylon straps together in the shape of the footprint of the cover. Each corner has a metal ring that the pole hooks into.
4:07 dude picked it up like loot in a video game😂
Hahaha, if only it was that easy every time!
👍👍👍🎥🎥🎥
i want to this all hides, how to buy in india ?
I made most of these, but you can purchase the pop-up blind online.
@@JimmyBreitenstein Merry Christmas and thanks for reply…can you make video on it how to make hide…plz