Advice for newbie

JaymanGB · Saturday at 6:05 PM

Hi all,

This week I started wildlife photography for the first time, I am using my old Nikon D5300 and a Sigma 150-600mm lens i just purchased.

These are a few shots I got on my first outing, looking for critique from anyone to help me improve my shots. Althought im pretty please with how they turned out as a starting point.

I was shooting in manual with shutter speed of 1,250, f8 and auto ISO.

Jeff15 · Sunday at 4:22 PM

Hello and welcome, some very nice shots ... :encouragement:

Ozzie_Traveller · Sunday at 4:57 PM

G'day mate

Firstly - WELCOME Aboard to the forum ... you'll find many others here who use that Siggy lens to great advantage too

Three beaut images, nice 'n sharp - well done
I have one minor Q ... what is the fuzzy bit to the right on #2 image? ... any way you can zap it?

Phil

KJ_North · Sunday at 5:31 PM

Wonderful shots and definitely try and remove that spot in photo 2

JaymanGB · Monday at 2:39 AM

Ah, thanks I hadn't even noticed that, now I cant stop looking at it. Haha.

It's a patch of floating algae, how would you best remove it?

zombiesniper · Monday at 4:50 PM

Welcome to TPF!

For just starting out I'd say you did a great job.
I do have a couple of point though. Remember non of these suggestions are hard and fast rules. You strive to hit them when you can.

1. The eye is almost always the target.
A sharp eye will help draw the viewer in. For right now don't try and fill the frame. Shoot with a single focus point and aim for the eye. As you get more comfortable with your gear and experience shooting wildlife you will be able to quickly adjust the focus point in camera to the eye of the bird for better composition.

2. Composition
Having good composition can make a good image great. If you haven't already look up basic composition.
If possible have the subject looking into the frame and not out of frame.

3. Learn to shoot slow.
Too often I see newer wildlife photographers shooting a resting bird at 1/2000 sec because "you have to shoot fast for wildlife".
Wildlife photography hasn't broken any rules of physics. Shoot at an appropriate speed to get a clean image. Start quicker than you think you need to get a sharp image. Once you're comfortable, shoot a bit slower.
This will enable you to shoot in lower light. I can shoot my 500mm lens hand holding below 1/320 sec which allows me to shoot in situations others don't even try.

4. Lastly. Have fun.
You're going to have some frustrating moments. Gear not doing what you expected, missing a shot that you've managed a hundred times before etc. It happens to us all. Just remember, you're doing this for fun. It should be relaxing.

There's quite a bit more I could go into but here's a great writeup from one of our own members.

Capturing distinctive bird images

Keep up the good work and continue sharing.
If you have any questions feel free to ask.

JaymanGB · Tuesday at 5:01 AM

Really helpful thank you!

SquarePeg · Tuesday at 6:30 AM

zombiesniper said:
Welcome to TPF!

For just starting out I'd say you did a great job.
I do have a couple of point though. Remember non of these suggestions are hard and fast rules. You strive to hit them when you can.

1. The eye is almost always the target.
A sharp eye will help draw the viewer in. For right now don't try and fill the frame. Shoot with a single focus point and aim for the eye. As you get more comfortable with your gear and experience shooting wildlife you will be able to quickly adjust the focus point in camera to the eye of the bird for better composition.

2. Composition
Having good composition can make a good image great. If you haven't already look up basic composition.
If possible have the subject looking into the frame and not out of frame.

3. Learn to shoot slow.
Too often I see newer wildlife photographers shooting a resting bird at 1/2000 sec because "you have to shoot fast for wildlife".
Wildlife photography hasn't broken any rules of physics. Shoot at an appropriate speed to get a clean image. Start quicker than you think you need to get a sharp image. Once you're comfortable, shoot a bit slower.
This will enable you to shoot in lower light. I can shoot my 500mm lens hand holding below 1/320 sec which allows me to shoot in situations others don't even try.

4. Lastly. Have fun.
You're going to have some frustrating moments. Gear not doing what you expected, missing a shot that you've managed a hundred times before etc. It happens to us all. Just remember, you're doing this for fun. It should be relaxing.

There's quite a bit more I could go into but here's a great writeup from one of our own members.

Capturing distinctive bird images

Keep up the good work and continue sharing.
If you have any questions feel free to ask.

All excellent advice and you saved me having to try to find that post from coastalconn!

407370 · Tuesday at 8:02 AM

JaymanGB said:
Ah, thanks I hadn't even noticed that, now I cant stop looking at it. Haha.

It's a patch of floating algae, how would you best remove it?

Answer is cloning brush. Turn it into water.

Auto ISO is the best way to go. Outside light is always changing. Dont be afraid to go into ISO 10,000 if its a bit dark or you need a high shutter speed. Software can do magic stuff these days. You will find that APERTURE has a greater effect on ISO than shutter speed.

Great shots for any stage of experience.

Remember, you got to be there to get the picture. Just keep photographing and your own style will emerge.

CHEERS
JBO

jeffashman · 2025-07-23T12:19:52-0500

Howdy and welcome! It's a very nice set of images! The Sigma 150-600mm is a very nice lens; I have the same but can't really hand hold it much anymore due to age of all things. Not knowing what post-processing tools you have at your disposal, I'll not comment other than to agree that the top of the wooden post and the algae in #2 is a bit of a detractor.