MASTERING
BIRD VIDEOGRAPHY
Transform Your Bird Photography
Skills into Cinematic Wildlife Video
6 Hours
Instructional Video Content
70 Lessons
7 Learning Sections
All Levels
Beginner to Advanced
Self-Paced
Learn on Your Schedule
CAPTURE THE MOMENT BIRDS COME ALIVE
You’ve mastered the art of freezing a split second with stunning bird photographs. But what about capturing a shorebirds energetic foraging behavior? The heron’s patient hunting technique? The dramatic courtship display you witnessed but couldn’t fully share?
Video lets you document behavior, tell stories, and share the living moments that made you fall in love with birds in the first place. And you already own the equipment to do it—your DSLR or mirrorless camera shoots professional-quality video right now.
WHAT YOU’LL MASTER IN THIS COURSE
EQUIPMENT ESSENTIALS
Learn which features matter for bird video and how to evaluate your current camera’s capabilities and limitations. Understand tripods, external monitors, viewfinders, and filters without getting lost in gear obsession.
CAMERA SETUP AND SETTINGS
Configure your DSLR or mirrorless camera correctly for video before you head into the field. Master frame rates, resolution, autofocus modes, and exposure settings specific to wildlife videography
FIELD TECHNIQUES
Apply professional camera handling, smooth panning techniques, focus control, and proper exposure in real-world bird filming situations. Learn to anticipate bird behavior and position yourself for compelling shots
SCENE PLANNING
AND SHOT TYPES
Move beyond random clips to previsualize and shoot the different shot types that create engaging sequences—wide establishing shots, medium behavior documentation, and intimate close-ups that tell a complete story.
VIDEO EDITING
FUNDAMENTALS
Navigate DaVinci Resolve with confidence (techniques apply to any editing software). Master importing, organizing footage, basic cuts, and creating a smooth narrative flow from your raw clips.
NATURAL HISTORY SEQUENCES
Edit a complete behavioral sequence that showcases bird behavior in context. Learn pacing, shot selection, and storytelling techniques used by professional wildlife filmmakers to create polished, engaging videos.
COURSE CONTENT
MODULE 1: Foundational Concepts
Introduction to Bird Video [PREVIEW]
Course Overview and Goals
Types of Video Assemblies
Video Sequence Review
Sequence Analysis
MODULE 2: Equipment for Video
Introduction to Equipment
Cameras for Video
Testing Rolling Shutter
Lenses for Video
Neutral Density Filters
Camera Support
Fluid Tripod Heads
Other Video Accessories
MODULE 3: Camera Setup and Settings
Camera Setup Essentials
Viewfinder settings (mirrorless)
Selecting Format
Shutter Speeds
Exposure and DOF control
White balance
Autofocus
Audio Settings
Advanced Settings: RAW and Log
MODULE 4: Shooting Techniques and Creative Decisions
Focusing
Tracking Subjects
Camera Moves
Lighting
Slow Motion
MODULE 5: The Behavioral Sequence
What is a Sequence?
Pre-production
Framing and Perspective
Building Continuity in the Field
Creating Continuity in the Edit
Providing Context
Beginnings and Endings
MODULE 6: Creating a Sequence in the Field
Introduction and Pre-production [PREVIEW]
Scouting
Working the Crux
Building Out
Atmosphere and Context
MODULE 7: Video Editing
Introduction to Video Editing [PREVIEW]
Project Setup
Quick Tour: Interface
Importing Media
Working with Bins
Reviewing Footage and Subclips
Thinking Through Your Footage
Creating Organizational Timelines
Creating Source Timelines
Slow Motion Footage
Getting Started with Timelines
Navigating the Timeline
Insert/Overwrite
Deleting Clips
Linking
Razor Edit Mode
Copy/Paste
Moving and Swapping
Trim Mode
Roll Edits
Editing to Your Storyboard
Assembling the Rough Cut 1
Assembling the Rough Cut 2
Adding Initial Sound
Refining a Fine Cute
Finessing Sound
Stabilizing Footage
Adding Fades
Exporting
Final Fim Screening
FROM FRUSTRATED BEGINNER TO CONFIDENT FILMMAKER
COMMON FRUSTRATIONS
- Your camera shoots video, but you don’t know where to start with the confusing menu options
- Your clips are shaky, blurry, or poorly exposed
- You’re shooting random clips but have no idea how to turn them into a watchable video
- You’re overwhelmed by expensive equipment recommendations and don’t know what you actually need
- Editing software feels impossibly complex
- Your videos don’t capture the magic of what you witnessed in the field
YOUR NEW REALITY
- Confidently configure your camera for bird video with the right settings every time
- Shoot smooth, sharp, properly exposed footage that looks professional
- Plan and execute complete behavioral sequences before you head into the field
- Know exactly what equipment serves your goals and what’s just marketing hype
- Navigate editing software with the fundamental skills to create polished videos
- Share bird behavior in motion that photographs simply can’t capture
That moment when you finally nail the focus on a bird’s hunting behavior, capture the entire sequence, and watch it come together in the edit—that’s when you realize video opens up an entirely new dimension of bird documentation.
— Field-tested techniques from experienced bird videographers
ABOUT THE COURSE
Do I need expensive video equipment to take this course?
No. If you have a DSLR or mirrorless camera that shoots video (and most made in the last decade do), you have the core equipment you need. We’ll teach you how to evaluate your camera’s capabilities and recommend affordable accessories only when they genuinely improve your results. Great bird videos come from technique and understanding, not just expensive gear.
I’m completely new to video. Will I be able to follow along?
Absolutely. This course assumes you’re starting from zero video experience. We break down every concept into clear, manageable steps and explain technical terms when first introduced. If you can shoot bird photos, you have the foundational skills to learn bird videography—we’ll bridge that gap for you.
What video editing software do I need?
Course demonstrations use the freely available program DaVinci Resolve, but the editing principles and techniques apply to any video editing software. We’ll provide recommendations for alternatives so you can choose software that fits your goals.
How is video different from bird photography?
Video captures behavior and movement that still images can’t convey. Instead of freezing a single moment, you’re documenting sequences—how a bird forages, interacts, or moves through its environment. The technical skills you’ve developed in photography translate directly to video, but you’ll learn new considerations for smooth camera movement, continuous focus, and storytelling through sequential shots.
What will I receive when I join the notification list?
You’ll be the first to know when enrollment opens and receive early access before the general announcement. Plus, you’ll immediately receive our downloadable quick-start guide covering the five essential camera settings every bird videographer needs to understand. No spam—just valuable content and course updates.
Will the course cover audio recording for bird videos?
Yes, we cover sound fundamentals as part of our field techniques module. You’ll learn basic audio capture techniques and how sound enhances your natural history sequences, though the primary focus remains on visual documentation and editing.