Tim Laman

| Wildlife Photojournalist

Wildlife Diaries

The Wildlife Diaries newsletter is the best way to keep up to date with Tim Laman’s latest work and travels, and to learn about photography and natural history as well. Read through his recent posts here or sign up to receive the posts via email using the form on the right.

Bird Photography Masterclass is Live!

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It’s been a long time in development, but I’m excited to announce that my new online Masterclass is live!

I saw a need that I could fill – to help all bird photography enthusiasts learn to concentrate more on what’s important – framing you shot – not obsessing over camera settings.   

Yes, you need a basic understanding of photography and how to operate your camera.  But most cameras these days can be pulled out of the box, set to auto mode, and make decent exposures.  But you still need to have the idea of how to frame you shots!

That’s where my course comes in.  I have distilled the essential Creative Process that I use to create strong images.  These methods have worked well for me for twenty-five National Geographic assignments and helped me capture over twenty winning images in the Wildlife Photographer of the year.

I focus on birds in the course, but really the principles apply to all wildlife photography. If you are interested, you can learn more and enroll by checking out the link below.  You can also send it as a gift (just an idea).

The Creative Process in Bird Photography

Also, I know you realize it’s that time of year, but don’t forget that my annual holiday print sale is in full swing!  If a print isn’t in your budget, you might be happy to know that we now offer many other products, from mugs and coasters to puzzles and tote bags.  They all feature my images thanks to our printing partner.  Just visit the store and select any image to explore your options.  

Prints and Gifts

Pileated Woodpecker Landing

A male Pileated Woodpecker comes in for a landing to deliver food to its chicks.  In terms of my approach to bird photography, this shot is a classic example of anticipating and pre-visualizing the image.  In other words, I observed the travel path of the bird as it flew to the nest, and saw how I could frame it nicely between the two trees as it came in for a landing.  In my new Bird Photography Masterclass, I take successful images like this and break down my process of creating them.  This image was made only a few miles from my home in Massachusetts, but I share stories and images from all over the world as well as my backyard as I teach students how to improve their creative process in bird photography.

A Glimpse Into My Bird Photography Masterclass

Here is a sneak peak into a small section of Lesson 1:  Anticipation and Pre-visualization, in which I share my thought process around anticipating the final image before it happens, and how to plan accordingly.  These are all frame grabs from my online course.

You are invited into my studio, where I review and analyze my best images, supporting shots, and failed images to give you insight into my creative process.
I share a supporting shot, to set the scene of where I am working on a particular image, and to introduce the subject and the challenges of the desired final shot.
I share how I chose the framing for the anticipated shot.  Camera settings are shared when relevant.
Frame one of the final sequence of the male approaching the nest.
Frame two of the landing sequence – this is the keeper shot.
Frame 3 of the landing sequence.  The optimal position is past…
 At the end of each lesson, Key Takeaways are shared for handy reference.  

If you are curious to learn more about the class, the link below will take you to a website with a short video introduction, and details on what I cover in the eight lessons in the course.  While I do assume that you have some basic understanding of the fundamentals of photography, I think that this course can benefit photographers of all levels.

Learn More About My Bird Photography Masterclass

Thanks for tuning in.  Happy Thanksgiving if you’re in the USA!

Warmest regards,

Tim Laman