Archive 2020 · Does this bird photography course look worthwhile?

vbnut
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Does this bird photography course look worthwhile?

I've been hearing advertisements for Bird Photography with Melissa Groo on the BirdNote podcast for several months. The first couple times i went to the web site there was no sign of the course, but when I checked back a few days ago it was finally there.

I must be a bit naive, as I was surprised that it wasn't free, and especially surprised at the how much it costs. I'm just a hobbyist (wildlife photography for 10 years), and a cheapskate, so I'm not sure I'm ready to spend that much, although the current discount makes it more attractive. I watched the three short preview videos, and and just in that short time picked up a couple hints I didn't know, which makes me think maybe I would learn enough that it would be worth the price.

I have a great deal of respect for the wildlife photographers here, so what do folks think? Does this course look like it would be worth the price?

Jun 25, 2020 at 11:32 PM

Sagar
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On

p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Does this bird photography course look worthwhile?

There are lot of free you tube videos from very good bird photographers. If it was me, I would first go through those practice and then decide if I need a paid online course. Here are few which I follow and have been useful for me

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpggsZmXX-Fdmh8LJbJ0iTA

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyGYUrC2IvaHWoX6dwEsrMA

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT4ayjczXZheY1rKleQ1amg

Jun 26, 2020 at 04:35 AM

Genes Home
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Does this bird photography course look worthwhile?

I agree with Sagar. The basics - probably most important - of technique, camera settings, and camera operation all covered in depth by any number of free you tube videos. Those, and a pad and pencil, would be my starting point. Then I would just shoot - a lot - and figure out where your weaknesses are and work on those.

As an avid bird photo/hobbyist my experience is that the best place to spend money is a 3-4 day workshop in the field. Expensive, yes, but almost always worth it since you have an instructor right at your elbow while you are shooting. There are a lot of really good regional / national /international outdoor and bird photography specialists out there who are great in-person instructors. Visit "naturescapes" and roam the bird gallery and workshop pages and then contact some of those folks.

Florida has lots of bird shooting opportunities, so you should be able to pick some nice field locations with no problem.

Jun 26, 2020 at 10:04 AM

JasonTheBirder
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Does this bird photography course look worthwhile?

My opinion is that courses like this are more for the inspiration rather than technical knowledge. Most of the technical knowledge is out there, but sitting through this course and looking at it in a cohesive way might be inspiring especially for beginners.

Like the others, I'd suggest watching some YouTube videos first and see how that goes.

The one thing about CornellLabs is that they provide a lot of excellent free content like species accounts for North American birds so buying their course would support the cool free stuff they give away.

Jun 26, 2020 at 12:32 PM

Fred Amico
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off

p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Does this bird photography course look worthwhile?

Yep, don't spend the money yet. Plenty of free stuff out there, so try that first, then decide if you want to spend big bucks for a course/workshop.

Jun 26, 2020 at 05:23 PM


FM Forums \| Nature & Wildlife \| Join Upload & Sell

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.