Harsh midday sun may be great for working on your tan at the beach but when it comes to photographing birds, well, not so much. We all prefer shooting under more favorable conditions early in the day when birds are more active, or at Golden Hour in late afternoon when the landscaped is bathed in beautiful warm light.

Unfortunately, we all have obligations that may prevent us from getting out in the field at prime time, but this tutorial from Wild Parrot Photography will inspire you to embrace “bad” light with simple techniques for shooting brilliant, midday photos of our feathered friends.

Instructor Sonia is an Australian bird photographer whose instructional YouTube channel is devoted to “helping you find art in nature and boosting your creative confidence when shooting in the field under all conditions.” So if you think that midday sun means packing up your gear and waiting for Golden Hour, think again!

Sonia describe today’s episode like this: “I’m sharing 15 practical tips that will help you capture and edit spectacular bird photos even when the light isn’t optimal.” By following her shooting and post-processing tips you’ll be surprised at the quality of your bird photos—even when shooting during your lunch hour.

The lesson covers a wide range of topics in 10 minutes, including the camera settings Sonia recommends, the power of unique camera angles, and understanding when it’s time to switch up your vantage point relative to the sun. A thoughtful approach to composition is also part of the game.

Expect to be inspired by the amazing photographs Sonia uses to illustrate her in-camera techniques and the manner in which she enhances them during post processing. Be sure to check out the Wild Parrot Photography YouTube channel, especially if wildlife photography is your thing.

And don’t miss the related tutorial we featured recently from another experienced wildlife expert who demonstrates how to use your camera’s Spot Metering mode to capture beautiful nature images with perfect exposure—even when the light isn’t right.

There are a number of masking tools for enhancing images in Lightroom and Photoshop, and some are more complicated than others while delivering similar results. The video below demonstrates a unique hidden trick for getting the job done to perfection.  

In fact, instructor Brendan Williams insists that this transformational Photoshop masking tool “will change how you edit photos forever more.” And he walks you through the step-by-step process in less than 12 minutes, using two examples to illustrate the simple technique.

The benefit of this oft-ignored tool is that it enables you to create a “depth map” of an image for more refined adjustments. Williams reveals how this unique technique utilizes a neural filter, rather that selections or brush adjustments, with two simple check boxes.

Williams explains the tool like this: “The neural filter automatically scans the depth of an image and turns it into contrast that we can output into a new layer. We can then use channels to turn this information into a reusable selection that blends the adjustment seamlessly throughout the entire image for way more control over effects based upon distance from the camera.”

The process begins by clicking the Filter tab atop the workspace and choosing the Neural Filters option from a dropdown menu that appears. Then you want to enable Depth Blur from the list off available filters. There are only two settings that are important; namely, Focus Subject and the Output Depth Map.

Once both boxes are checked Photoshop presents a large preview that’s essentially a layer mask that will have different intensities based upon the depth of an image. Then we can select the contrast of the image by using our channels panel.”

There are a few more aspects to this process, and Williams explains everything you need to know. He makes this depth-map technique simple and fast by providing helpful keyboard shortcuts.

Be sure to add this hidden tool to your everyday workflow, and then visit Williams’ instructional YouTube channel for more tips and tricks with Lightroom and Photoshop.

And don’t miss the tutorial we featured earlier with another post-processing expert who demonstrates the difference between Flow and Density settings when using brushes to edit your photographs.

Featuring a customizable Film Simulation dial, in-body image stabilization, elegant single-piece aluminum top plate, light-weight retro design (1-pound/445 grams) and new companion Fujinon XF 23mm f/2.8 R WR lens, the Fujifilm X-E5 intros the new-concept “Classic Display Mode” EVF that allow users to modify the viewfinder experience.

With classic rangefinder styling and thoroughly retro appearance, the Fujifilm X-E5 mirrorless digital camera is the fifth generation in the Fujifilm X-E series. The Fujifilm X-E1 appeared in 2012. Click here to read our 2021 in depth review of the Fujifilm X-E4.

Key Features of the Fujifilm X-E5
Light, compact, retro design, weighs 15.7 ounces (445 grams)
Back-illuminated 40.2 megapixel X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor
In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS) with 7-stop efficacy (center area)
Base ISO of 125

Key Features of the Fujifilm X-E5 (cont.)
Selfie-friendly rear-tilting (180°) LCD monitor
Customizable Film Simulation (FS) dial
New FS dial enables up to three user FS recipes
Classic Display Mode (retro option for the EVF)
Surround View function
AI-based subject detection autofocus
AF detects animals, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles and more
High-precision AF Tracking
Electronic shutter option up to 1/180,000 sec
15 minutes to 1/4000 mechanical shutter
Teleconverter (1.4X and 2X)

Key Features of the Fujifilm X-E5 (cont.)
Top plate milled from single slab of aluminum (first for XE series)
Video shooting in 6.2K/30P resolution
Microphone jack 3.5mm (plus USB-C, HDMI Type D I/O)
Kit available with new Fujinon XF 23mm f/2.8 R WR lens

Key Features of the Fujinon XF 23mm f/2.8 R WR lens
Compact design (23mm tall, weighs about 3.2 ounces ( 90g))
Aperture is f/2.8 (to f/16)
Equivalent to 35mm (equated to 35mm full-frame)
8 elements in 6 groups (2 aspherical) optical formula
Focuses to 7.9 inches (20cm)
Full Group focusing system – all elements move to achieve AF
11 blade aperture, rounded diaphragm to enhance bokeh
Weather resistant (seals at 9 points) Note the X-E5 is not weather resistant
Designed with X-E5 & 40.2 megapixel sensor in mind
Comes with lens hood

Pricing & Availability
The Fujifilm X-E5 will be available later this summer in black or silver colorways as body only ($1699.95) or in a kit with the new Fujinon XF 23mm f/2.8 R WR lens ($1899.95). The lens by itself should be available later this year at the MSRP of $499.95. Anticipated US pricing is represented above and, along with delivery schedule, is subject to change.

If ordering online, don’t be confused by the Fujifilm X-M5.

Save $ — Buy Factory Refurbished Fujifilm Products
Check out Refurbished Fujifilm cameras, lenses and accessories here, available directly from Fujifilm. For example, score a Factory Refurbished Fujinon XF 16mm Ff/2.8 R WR Lens (24mm equivalent) for as low as $299 (prices and inventory subject to availability).

Half the Frame, Twice the Fun! New Fujifilm X half
Small Wonder: Fujifilm GFX100RF
Instantly Cool: Fujifilm Mini 41 Camera

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