If you’re new to wildlife and nature photography or just want to elevate your game, today’s video tutorial is exactly what you need. In either case, this step-by-step guide to “essential” camera settings will set you on the path to success.

Be sure to grab your camera and follow along so you can experiment with these options as they’re explained by long-time pro Mike Patterson of the First Choice Photo YouTube channel. In barely 12 minutes you’ll have the knowledge you need for capturing breathtaking photos of birds in flight and animals on the ground—even in challenging situations.

Patterson says that the settings he recommends “allow me to shoot faster without setting the camera in advance, get more consistent results, and capture the sharpest and most dynamic shots every time.” He also discusses the importancw of keep tracking of any changes you make and understanding the practical reasons for the specific configurations involved.

The wildlife settings you learn are appropriate for whatever camera you use whether it’s a full-frame or crop-sensor DSLR or mirrorless model. He also discusses how the focal length of a lens factors into the equation. You’ll also learn how to create one or more custom settings that can be accessed quickly aa the need arises.

In other words, the advice in this episode is pretty much universal for shooting birds or other type of living subjects in the field. Patterson is a strong proponent of shooting in Manual mode with a simple twist. Take a look at the approach he recommends before you start worrying about the so-called “complexity” involved.

Patterson then dives into the best ISO settings for various scenes you may confront, and how to avoid potential problems with these settings and the other advice he provides. You’ll also learn the benefits of shutting off adjustment dials after everything is properly configured for the task at hand.

Back-button focus is a technique used by many experienced outdoor photographers, and Patterson discusses when and how this works to achieve the sharpest results possible. He also explains the importance of using exposure compensation and locking your camera’s custom Program modes

Once the video concludes pay a visit to the First Choice Photo YouTube channel where you’ll find more helpful techniques for shooters of all skill levels and photographic genres.

And don’t miss insightful tutorial we featured recently that reveals another pro’s 10 “must-have” photography accessories that won’t break the bank.

A toucan peers out of its nest and seems ready to take flight at any moment. I wait eagerly in the hide, my finger on the shutter button, determined not to miss the moment when it flies out and spreads its wings. Cut to an hour later. I blink, I open my eyes, and the toucan leaves the cavity. My panicked brain processes what happened, then sends information through my spinal cord and a few peripheral neurons to my index finger, which finally presses the button. Damn, too late! But it didn’t have to be like this. Many of today’s cameras solve the problem of human reaction time with a feature known (among other names) as Pre-Release Capture. Let’s take a closer look at it today.