The Art of Photographing Birds
Lesson 18 of 22Qualities of Light
Frans Lanting

Lesson Info
18. Qualities of LightLessons
Introduction
04:19 2Introduction to Location Shoot
01:45 3Camera and Lenses
06:09 4DSLR vs Mirrorless
12:38 5Field Trip 1
23:22 6Getting Close To Birds
13:41 7Camera Settings
06:57 8Settings For Creativity
07:16Point of View
06:19 10Bird Portraits
14:32 11Birds in Flocks
32:40 12Birds in Flight
15:56 13Field Trip 2
11:04 14Behavior
19:43 15Birds in Landscapes
10:56 16Field Trip at Sunset
14:12 17Impressions
08:13 18Qualities of Light
01:46 19Birds as Designs
03:23 20Birds and People
11:08 21Locations
14:15 22Student Critique
1:07:35Lesson Info
Qualities of Light
just a quick reminder, a primary, all light and this subject recovery more detail in in one of the other courses that I did previously for Creative life. Qualities of light. Let's run it Light is, of course, an essential ingredient in any kind of photograph. There's backlight. What is backlight do? It renders everything as a silhouette. I like to apply that early in the morning and late in the evening. Then there's front light, and that is especially nice. After the sun has risen above the horizon and just before it sets. It creates a warm glow, and it emphasises color. They're sidelight when the sun strikes the subject from the site. It emphasizes texture, and as it applies to birds, it can enhance the blue image, the surface quality. And then there's flat light. When it's overcast, then you don't have to worry too much about contrast in your subject and menu photographing white birds that could be a blessing. Then there's one mawr, very special kind of light spotlight when you have s...
tormy weather and the sun breaks through the clouds and one portion of your scene is illuminated by the sun, and the rest is in shade. It can create fantastic opportunities. All right, this is just a quick reminder. But you take a look at the other courses because we're dealing with that in more detail, and I show examples of how I apply it in the field as well, but I'm afraid we're gonna have to move on.
Class Description
AFTER THIS CLASS YOU’LL BE ABLE TO:
Photograph birds in a variety of scenarios
Understand bird behavior to get closer to birds
Build the ideal gar kit for photographing birds
Set the proper shutter speed, aperture, and ISO for birds
Know where to find birds to photograph
Capture birds in different types of light
Develop a better eye for bird photography
ABOUT FRANS’ CLASS:
Love birds, but can't quite capture their colorful personality on camera? Join nature photographer Frans Lanting on a journey in start-to-finish bird photography. Master photography basics for photographing birds, from the best camera settings to tactics for getting up close and personal to different bird species.
With a mix of on-site shooting and in-class lectures, learn the ins and outs of bird photography. Build the skills to operate a camera and long lens as well as an understanding of basic bird behavior. Learn to capture more than the boring, obvious photo and dive into categories like bird portraiture, flying birds, flocks of birds, and detailed close-ups for your best bird photos yet.
Whether you are a beginner or intermediate bird photographer, craft better photos of birds with tips and insight from a National Geographic photographer with three decades of experience capturing wildlife across the globe.
WHO THIS CLASS IS FOR:
Beginners new to bird photography
Intermediate bird photographers
Experienced photographers new to capturing birds
Beginner wildlife photographers
ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR:
Frans Lanting has spent more than three decades traveling the world capturing nature and wildlife. For the wildlife photographer, birds often capture his attention, from penguins and endangered species to birds common to North America. Frans worked as a photographer-in-residence with National Geographic, a position that opened rare opportunities for photographing little known species. His nature photography has also appeared in his own books and exhibitions. Born in the Netherlands, he moved to the U.S. to study environmental planning before embarking on his photography career.
Ratings and Reviews
Student Work
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Reviews
Carl Bergstrom
I was privileged to be in the studio audience for Frans Lanting's Art of Photographing Birds course, and it was amazing. The morning was a perfectly pitched lesson on the technical aspects of bird photography, intermixed with Frans's own photographs and excellent videos of him working in the field. The afternoon focused more on bird behavior, composition, and artistry, and was even more delightful. If you know Lanting's photography you already know about his ability to find unusual perspectives on the world. What really shone through in the class was his love for wildlife and especially for birds. His knowledge of natural history is as amazing as his photography, and I loved the message that to take great photographs of birds, one needs to understand them and their behaviors. I've admired Lanting as a photographer for decades. Today I learned that he is an equally talented teacher. I'll be purchasing all of his CreativeLive courses. Thank you, Carl Bergstrom
Marie Gessle
Amazing class! Mr Lanting is charming and full of knowledge about birds and of course photography. In every moment of this course you can see his great passion and love for these flying creatures. The course is full of tips for photographers who want to start capturing moments of birds life. Awesome!!!
André Audet
Great class, very inspiring. Packed with great tips and beautiful imagery. Frans is a great instructor. I enjoyed watching this class a lot, and will watch it again!