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It’s often said that it’s OK to make mistakes as long as you only make them once and learn from the errors of your ways. That’s the topic of this quick tutorial from the Wildlife in Focus YouTube channel, specifically as it pertains to photographing birds and other forms of wildlife.

Instructor Adrien Coquelle is a notable French pro specializing in nature and wildlife photography whose popular YouTube channel features numerous videos designed help elevate your skills when shooting in the field. This episode reveals what Coquelle says are the “seven worst mistakes in wildlife photography.” He then demonstrates straightforward solutions for each.

Whether your images are soft, underexposed, too dull, or poorly composed, you’ll learn how to change your approach in less than 10-minutes to create striking photos that grab attention and make you proud. Coquelle promises that “once these mistakes are corrected (and it doesn’t take long) I assure you than your photography will really level up.”

Coquelle begins with what he says is the biggest error and the one he wants you to correct; namely not raising the ISO sensitivity enough—despite conventional wisdom that you should always use the lowest setting possible. You’ll see when and why this familiar “rule” is one to be ignored—especially when a subject is in motion or liable to move at any moment.

The second mistake is not paying close attention and blowing out the highlights so that they’re virtually devoid of important detail, like when photographing white birds in bright conditions. One simple solution is paying close attention to the camera’s histogram and making the obvious adjustments to get the exposure right.

Coquelle describes the third wildlife photography faux pas like this: “Not checking focus on the camera’s rear screen immediately after tripping the shutter”—a process known as chimping that we’re often told to ignore. As he explains, “A blurry result due to inaccurate focus or a focus shift can really ruin a shot.” That’s because this mistake can be difficult, or even impossible, to fix in post-processing.

At this point you’re only midway through the lesson, with four more mistakes and their solutions to learn. So watch until the end and make yourself a checklist to guide you through these straightforward procedures until they become second nature. Then head over to Coquelle’s popular YouTube channel where there are many more instructional videos to be found.

And don’t miss a tutorial we featured recently with another top pro who demonstrates why it’s essential that you stop ruining photographs with heavy-handed sharpening and use his preferred method that delivers precise results every time.

Many of us have busy schedules with jobs and other obligations that prevent from us being out in the field in early morning and late afternoon when Golden-Hour bathes the landscape with soft, beautiful tones. This means shooting in the middle of the day when high contrast and harsh illumination pose a difficult challenge.

This tutorial from the Andy H YouTube channel demonstrates several powerful techniques to help you capture epic images when the sun is overhead. Andy is an experienced British photographer whose helpful videos share his love of landscape and wildlife photography, with in-depth tips, appropriate camera settings, composition and gear.

Here’s his promise for today’s episode: “I provide tricks for creating stunning images during midday sun and harsh light, with tips for greatly improving your compositions.” Best yet, the quick techniques you’ll learn in the next 12 minutes are easy enough for photographers of all skill levels to master with ease.

In this behind-the-scenes episode you’ll follow Andy explore a forest with the sun high in the sky and bright light streaming through the foliage; hence, contrasty light indeed. The first tip involves thoughtful composition. Andy’s example is of a large, fallen pine with dark shadows pointing through tall trees on either side and further back into the frame.

The trees thin out as Andy continues his hike and he notices some beautiful layers with mountains in the background, a bright, blue sky, and interesting elements closer to the camera. He appreciates the definition in these eye-catching gradations and demonstrates how a polarizing filter can significantly accentuate these dramatic effects while retaining a realistic look.

Other interesting opportunities abound once Andy surmounts the tree line where he’s greeted by snow-capped peaks on the horizon, a green forest below, and the ever-present blue sky overhead. His vantage point at 6500 ft. gives him an awe-inspiring 360° view with rugged rocks near his position. The way he tames this midday challenge is very impressive.

The foregoing is just a taste of the powerful techniques that Andy reveals, so watch until the end, take an afternoon hike this weekend, and see how much midday magic you can make yourself. The pay a visit to Andy instructional YouTube channel where there’s much more to learn.

And if landscape photography is your game be sure not to miss a tutorial we featured recently from another accomplished outdoor shooter who demonstrates how to transform boring nature and wildlife photographs with an eye-catching Golden-Hour Effect in Lightroom.

I just returned from one of the longest hikes I’ve ever done, the famous O Circuit in Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park! This eight-day hike goes around the Paine massif itself, circumnavigating these magnificent peaks and showcasing them from every angle. For landscape photography, it’s hard to think of a more exciting hike.