Ryan MenseTopaz Labs are the developers of two of my favorite photo editing tools, DeNoise AI and Sharpen AI. In this video I run several of my bird and wildlife images through the Lightroom and Photoshop plug-ins and show you the results and why I think these applications are worth every penny.
Topaz DeNoise AI allows me to shoot in low-light situations with the Sony a7R IV, a camera not known for its high ISO performance. I’ve joked before that the camera should come bundled with this software in the box.
Topaz Sharpen AI is straight up magic. It can do what no other traditional sharpening technique can: recover out of focus and blurry photos. You have to see it to believe it.
30-day free trials can be downloaded from the Topaz Labs website.
2:22 - DeNoise AI Example 1 Results 4:29 - DeNoise AI Example 2 Results 5:51 - DeNoise AI Example 3 Results 8:03 - DeNoise AI Example 4 Results
12:17 - Sharpen AI Example 1 Results 14:34 - Sharpen AI Example 2 Results 16:24 - Sharpen AI Example 3 Results 17:31 - Sharpen AI Example 4 Results 18:48 - Sharpen AI Example 5 Results
Links may contain affiliate code that make me a small commission for any purchases. The cost of the item is always the same to you whether it’s an affiliate link or not.
Yes, You Can Fix Blurry and Out of Focus PhotosRyan Mense2019-11-14 | Topaz Labs are the developers of two of my favorite photo editing tools, DeNoise AI and Sharpen AI. In this video I run several of my bird and wildlife images through the Lightroom and Photoshop plug-ins and show you the results and why I think these applications are worth every penny.
Topaz DeNoise AI allows me to shoot in low-light situations with the Sony a7R IV, a camera not known for its high ISO performance. I’ve joked before that the camera should come bundled with this software in the box.
Topaz Sharpen AI is straight up magic. It can do what no other traditional sharpening technique can: recover out of focus and blurry photos. You have to see it to believe it.
30-day free trials can be downloaded from the Topaz Labs website.
2:22 - DeNoise AI Example 1 Results 4:29 - DeNoise AI Example 2 Results 5:51 - DeNoise AI Example 3 Results 8:03 - DeNoise AI Example 4 Results
12:17 - Sharpen AI Example 1 Results 14:34 - Sharpen AI Example 2 Results 16:24 - Sharpen AI Example 3 Results 17:31 - Sharpen AI Example 4 Results 18:48 - Sharpen AI Example 5 Results
Links may contain affiliate code that make me a small commission for any purchases. The cost of the item is always the same to you whether it’s an affiliate link or not.Virginia rails after sunset! Coastal California bird photographyRyan Mense2024-10-12 | I recently had some luck finding Virginia rails. The problem is they seem to only come out into the open after the sun is down...
Links may contain affiliate code that makes me a small commission for any purchases. The cost of the item is always the same to you whether it’s an affiliate link or not.I’ve seen black oystercatchers take some splashes before but never really ride out a flow of water.Ryan Mense2024-09-28 | ...Sanderlings bathing in the golden light #birdingRyan Mense2024-09-13 | ...Down the hatchRyan Mense2024-08-11 | ...Moms are the best lifeguards #seals #wildlifephotography #animalvideosRyan Mense2024-04-23 | ...That’s the spot #seals #wildlifephotography #animalvideosRyan Mense2024-04-22 | ...Northern harrier - Masters of the open habitat #birds #wildlifeRyan Mense2023-12-31 | ...Now you see it, now you don’t #birds #wildlifeRyan Mense2023-12-28 | ...Unlucky mouse POV #birds #wildlifeRyan Mense2023-12-25 | ...Great horned owl call and response #wildlife #birdsRyan Mense2023-12-20 | ...Whimbrels! Birding on the California coastRyan Mense2023-11-20 | I spent a morning with the whimbrels on the coast of Northern California. These shorebirds have quite a bit of personality, and you never really know what will happen next. From a photographer's perspective, I like how they are challenging enough to where usually you can’t just walk right into telephoto distance and get a shot, but they aren’t so difficult that it would take serious effort to eventually get something. Usually, just sitting in one spot and waiting for them to come to you is enough.
Links may contain affiliate code that makes me a small commission for any purchases. The cost of the item is always the same to you whether it’s an affiliate link or not.Elephant seals fighting in Northern California - Canon R7Ryan Mense2023-08-12 | It’s molting season for the elephant seals, and besides shedding away their old fur and top layer of skin, some subadult males are honing their fighting skills before breeding season begins. Who won this round?What a gem! Bird photography on the California coastRyan Mense2023-08-11 | This year, I moved to the coast of Northern California! While I’m still working on achieving my goal of spotting a whale from inside my home, I do, however, have direct access to some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes and the incredible wildlife that inhabits them via the Pacific Coast Highway. I took a short drive down to Pescadero in search of coastal birds to do some good ‘ol wildlife photography. Here’s what I saw...
Links may contain affiliate code that makes me a small commission for any purchases. The cost of the item is always the same to you whether it’s an affiliate link or not.
Birds in order of first appearance: brown pelican, black oystercatcher, black turnstone, whimbrel, western gull, Caspian tern, killdeer, common merganser, great blue heron, least sandpiper, western sandpiper, belted kingfisher, osprey, great egret, green heron, turkey vultureWestern Gulls bathing in the Pacific - Canon R5Ryan Mense2023-07-30 | Western gulls nest in large colonies and have intricate forms of communication… but sometimes just a nip gets the point across.Mink goes in the drink - Sony FS5Ryan Mense2022-06-22 | ...American Pipit up close - Canon R3Ryan Mense2022-06-21 | Canon R3 Review for Filming Wildlife: youtube.com/watch?v=fJVp4IhdMPoUsing the Regular Photoshop Brush Instead of Cloning - Bird Photography Photo EditingRyan Mense2022-06-20 | No need to overcomplicate things. Sometimes all you need is the standard Photoshop brush to fix your wildlife images.
Links may contain affiliate code that makes me a small commission for any purchases. The cost of the item is always the same to you whether it’s an affiliate link or not.Watch the talons! - Canon R3Ryan Mense2022-06-20 | Canon R3 Review for Filming Wildlife: youtube.com/watch?v=fJVp4IhdMPoFile Naming for Wildlife Photography and VideosRyan Mense2022-06-19 | This is how I’ve sorted my wildlife photography and videos. File naming is one of those deals where it can be a pain to go through and organize, but I’m always thankful when I need to find certain photos and videos for something later.
Links may contain affiliate code that makes me a small commission for any purchases. The cost of the item is always the same to you whether it’s an affiliate link or not.8K at 240 FPS? Yup! Topaz Labs Video AI ReviewRyan Mense2022-06-18 | ►Topaz Labs Video AI: topazlabs.com/topaz-video-ai/ref/329
Topaz Labs are the developers of two highly popular photo editing tools, DeNoise AI and Sharpen AI. They also make one of the coolest pieces of video software with Video Enhance AI. This program allows me to increase the detail of my videos to the extent that it's like using a much more expensive lens. It can also upscale footage with surprisingly great results. In this video, you can see how the upscaled video looks better than the original! Lastly, it's quite convincing for adding more frames to the original footage so that it can be slowed down even further. It can turn 60 fps footage into 120 fps, or 120 fps into 240 fps, and it's more and more becoming a tool I rely on for my video work.
Links may contain affiliate code that makes me a small commission for any purchases. The cost of the item is always the same to you whether it’s an affiliate link or not.
Links may contain affiliate code that makes me a small commission for any purchases. The cost of the item is always the same to you whether it’s an affiliate link or not.
—
Night Owl by Broke For Free From the Free Music Archive, CC BY 3.0
Something Elated by Broke For Free From the Free Music Archive, CC BY 3.0 US
Craving Ending by Soft and Furious From the Free Music Archive, CC0 1.0
Traffic by Kai Engel From the Free Music Archive, CC BY 4.0
Fluffing a Duck by Kevin MacLeod From the Free Music Archive, CC BY 3.0
Links may contain affiliate code that makes me a small commission for any purchases. The cost of the item is always the same to you whether it’s an affiliate link or not.Day Trip! Filming Wildlife at Point ReyesRyan Mense2022-05-15 | forelk.org
Links may contain affiliate code that makes me a small commission for any purchases. The cost of the item is always the same to you whether it’s an affiliate link or not.Cute Sea Otter in Monterey Bay, CaliforniaRyan Mense2022-04-24 | The endangered southern sea otter calls the central coast of California its home. #ShortsAn Evening With Short-Eared OwlsRyan Mense2022-03-29 | Short-Eared Owls prowling a grassy field around sunset.
Filmed on March 23, 2022 with the Canon EOS R3 and Canon EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x lens. Camera support included the Cartoni Focus 12 fluid head and Cartoni Smart Stop CF tripod.
Links may contain affiliate code that makes me a small commission for any purchases. The cost of the item is always the same to you whether it’s an affiliate link or not.Unboxing the Nikon 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S and Z 9Ryan Mense2022-02-16 | What I'll be shooting with this week. If you have any questions about them I can try and figure it out while they're with me 🙂 Nikon 400mm f/2.8 TC: bhpho.to/3Jp77fm Nikon Z 9: bhpho.to/3rQtwMJSony a7 IV Sample VideoRyan Mense2021-10-22 | An evening out with the new Sony a7 IV and 200-600mm lens. Shot in 4K 60p with Bird Eye AF.
Camera support included the Cartoni Focus 12 fluid head and Cartoni Smart Stop CF tripod.
Links may contain affiliate code that makes me a small commission for any purchases. The cost of the item is always the same to you whether it’s an affiliate link or not.Filming a Super Cute Red Fox! Wildlife Video Behind the ScenesRyan Mense2021-10-09 | Worth the wait? Yuuuuuuup!! Have you ever seen a red fox? ↓↓↓
Links may contain affiliate code that makes me a small commission for any purchases. The cost of the item is always the same to you whether it’s an affiliate link or not.Avian Reveries: Ruby-throated HummingbirdRyan Mense2021-09-02 | Speedy, spunky, squeaky — that’s the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. These small birds capture the attention of both birders and non-birders alike with their aerial acrobatics and constant fidgeting. While that’s plain to see, what I find most endearing about these hummingbirds is their constant attention and inquisitiveness to the big world they live in.
Shot over the course of two evenings on August 27 and 29, 2021 in West-Central Wisconsin next to the Chippewa River.
This video was recorded in 4K DCI with the Sony FS5 and Atomos Shogun Inferno. Slow motion is 4K 120. Video was finished in 2K DCI. I used the Sigma 150-600mm DG DN lens. Camera support included the Cartoni Focus 12 fluid head and Cartoni Smart Stop CF tripod.
Disclaimer: Sony loaned me the ZV-E10 for the purpose of my review and has been returned. I have not purchased it as of publication.
Links may contain affiliate code that makes me a small commission for any purchases. The cost of the item is always the same to you whether it’s an affiliate link or not.Look At What the Atomos Shogun 7 Can DoRyan Mense2021-07-14 | Earlier this year, I filmed birds and wildlife with the Atomos Shogun 7 recording monitor hooked up to the Sony FX6. Here's some of the footage I captured narrated by my thoughts of the Shogun 7. ↓↓↓
Disclaimer: Atomos loaned me the Shogun 7 for the purpose of my review and has been returned. I have not purchased it as of publication.
Links may contain affiliate code that makes me a small commission for any purchases. The cost of the item is always the same to you whether it’s an affiliate link or not.Sony FX6 Review for Birds and Wildlife — From an FS5 OwnerRyan Mense2021-05-13 | ►Sony FX6 B&H: bhpho.to/3hm0PTh
Links may contain affiliate code that makes me a small commission for any purchases. The cost of the item is always the same to you whether it’s an affiliate link or not.I’m Filming Cranes! Behind the Scenes Bird Wildlife VideoRyan Mense2021-03-20 | It’s a lovely time of year when the Sandhill Cranes start falling out of the sky. They’re migrating up to the breeding ranges, which includes where I am in Wisconsin. In this behind the scenes, I’m taking you along for day one of filming a new video centering around my favorite bird, the Sandhill Crane.↓↓↓
Links may contain affiliate code that makes me a small commission for any purchases. The cost of the item is always the same to you whether it’s an affiliate link or not.The New Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 G Master in 2 MinutesRyan Mense2021-03-16 | Here’s a quick overview of the Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM that was just announced today. ↓↓↓
- Sony’s 13th G Master lens - Sony’s first f/1.2 E-mount lens - 7.09 x 3.43 inches (108 x 87 millimeters) - 1 pound 11.4 ounces (778 grams) - 14 elements in 10 groups - 3 XA elements - Nano AR Coating II - 11-bladed circular aperture - Fluorine-coated front element - 4 XD autofocus motors - Minimum focus distance of 15.75 inches (0.4 meters) - 0.17x maximum magnification - Supports a1’s 30 fps with all AF capabilities - Focus ring, aperture ring, aperture de-click switch, 2 focus hold buttons, AF/MF switch
Links may contain affiliate code that makes me a small commission for any purchases. The cost of the item is always the same to you whether it’s an affiliate link or not.MOVO GH600 Gimbal Tripod Head Review for Wildlife and Bird PhotographyRyan Mense2021-03-13 | Gimbal heads are a common piece of equipment amongst tripod-wielding wildlife and bird photographers. In this review, I take a closer look at the MOVO GH600 and let you know what I like and don’t like so much. ↓↓↓
Links may contain affiliate code that makes me a small commission for any purchases. The cost of the item is always the same to you whether it’s an affiliate link or not.Sony a1 Review for Bird Photography: My Hands-on Experience With Alpha 1Ryan Mense2021-03-03 | I got my hands on the new Sony Alpha 1 and went out to find some bird friends. I tested Bird Eye AF, the 30 fps continuous shooting, autofocus performance with both 1.4x and 2x teleconverters on my trusty 200-600mm, S-Cinetone for wildlife video, and more. ↓↓↓
Links may contain affiliate code that make me a small commission for any purchases. The cost of the item is always the same to you whether it’s an affiliate link or not.Sony Alpha 1 Answered My Prayers 🙏 …Kinda (Added Features to the Sony a1)Ryan Mense2021-02-27 | I asked, Sony answered. Here are nine welcome changes that the Sony a1 delivers. My Alpha 1 hands-on review for bird photography is currently in the works, but I thought I’d give y’all something to chew on in the meantime. ↓↓↓
Links may contain affiliate code that make me a small commission for any purchases. The cost of the item is always the same to you whether it’s an affiliate link or not.Home: Cinematic Bird Wildlife Video featuring Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser, Ruddy DuckRyan Mense2021-02-12 | A new year and a new migration season. The Common Goldeneyes are returning home once again. This video showcases some of their quirky courtship displays as well as documents a few other beautiful bird species that gather in these same frigid cold winter waters. ↓↓↓
Shot over the course of four consecutive evenings from January 31 – February 3, 2021 in West-Central Wisconsin on the Chippewa River. If you enjoyed the video, please share it!
In order of first appearance: Canada Goose, Common Goldeneye, Hooded Merganser, Common Merganser, Ruddy Duck.
This video was recorded in 4K DCI with the Sony FS5 and Atomos Shogun Inferno. Slow motion is 4K 60 and 4K 120. I used the Sony FE 200-600mm lens both by itself and combined with the 2x teleconverter. Camera support included the Cartoni Focus 12 fluid head and Cartoni Smart Stop CF tripod. Let me know if you have questions in the comments below.
Links may contain affiliate code that makes me a small commission for any purchases. The cost of the item is always the same to you whether it’s an affiliate link or not.Sony Alpha 1 for Wildlife Photography and FilmmakingRyan Mense2021-01-27 | They did it. They really did it. Bird eye autofocus has finally debuted on a Sony camera. This is the Sony a1. ↓↓↓
I talk about all things Sony Alpha 1 that wildlife photographers and filmers should know including new features, specifications, and first impressions. Soon I’ll have a review unit in my hands so I wanted to get down my initial thoughts now on what I’m eager to test out. Let me know what you think about the camera in the comments below.
Links may contain affiliate code that make me a small commission for any purchases. The cost of the item is always the same to you whether it’s an affiliate link or not.American Mink: Cinematic Wildlife VideoRyan Mense2021-01-11 | Two weeks had passed since I last caught a glimpse of an American Mink down by the creek. That changed while on a dog walk, and later that day I was back with my gear ready to film. Recorded on December 30, 2020. ↓↓↓
Links may contain affiliate code that makes me a small commission for any purchases. The cost of the item is always the same to you whether it’s an affiliate link or not.Atomos Ninja V Review for Wildlife Video (w/ Sony a7S III)Ryan Mense2021-01-08 | The Atomos Ninja V is a great complement to the Sony a7S III and fixes some of the annoyances with that camera while adding ProRes RAW recording and more. Here's my review and plenty of sample footage after using the combination for a couple weeks of wildlife filming. ↓↓↓
00:00 Intro 00:37 Usability 09:43 “Between the Trees” 11:49 What I Liked 16:01 What I Didn’t Like 22:08 Wrap Up
Disclaimer: Atomos and Sony loaned me the Ninja V and a7S III for the purpose of this honest review and have been returned. I have not purchased either of them.
Links may contain affiliate code that make me a small commission for any purchases. The cost of the item is always the same to you whether it’s an affiliate link or not.Between the Trees: White-tailed Deer Cinematic Wildlife VideoRyan Mense2021-01-03 | Filmed in Wisconsin during the last days of 2020.↓↓↓
Links may contain affiliate code that makes me a small commission for any purchases. The cost of the item is always the same to you whether it’s an affiliate link or not.My Favorite Bird Photos and What They Looked Like Before Editing (2020)Ryan Mense2020-12-26 | Looking back at 10 (or 11, or 18…) of my favorite bird photography moments of 2020. I share what these images looked like before and after editing and some of the details behind them. ↓↓↓
Links may contain affiliate code that make me a small commission for any purchases. The cost of the item is always the same to you whether it’s an affiliate link or not.Shimoda Action X70 Backpack Review for Wildlife Camera GearRyan Mense2020-12-20 | The camera backpack market often ignores the needs of wildlife photographers and filmmakers. Our gear presents unique design challenges with the length and depth and weight that requires some real thought in managing it all. Unfortunately, it seems most companies care more about the surface-level styling of their backpacks rather than the function to lure in their customers. Shimoda is not one of those companies.
In this Shimoda Action X70 review, I take a look at the backpack as well as the Extra Large DV Core Unit that I paired it with and report what I liked and didn’t like about using it.
Links may contain affiliate code that make me a small commission for any purchases. The cost of the item is always the same to you whether it’s an affiliate link or not.
The Action X70 and XL DV Core Unit featured in the video was supplied by Shimoda at no cost to me. No further compensation or review stipulations were made.Holiday Gift Guide for Wildlife Photographers (Not Cameras or Lenses)Ryan Mense2020-12-15 | Five holiday gift ideas for wildlife photographers in the range of $25 to $500.
Links may contain affiliate code that make me a small commission for any purchases. The cost of the item is always the same to you whether it’s an affiliate link or not.Sony Camera Flaw Fixed! Just What I NeededRyan Mense2020-11-17 | If the locking mode dial on Sony Alpha cameras bugs you as much as it does me, this little buddy is for you.↓↓↓
Links may contain affiliate code that make me a small commission for any purchases. The cost of the item is always the same to you whether it’s an affiliate link or not.