10 Essential Tips for Wildlife Photography
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Do you have a passion for Wildlife Photography?
If so, you aren't alone. Many photographers dream of becoming the next great wildlife photographer featured in National Geographic.
So how do you become a great wildlife photographer? It's a combination of lots of practice and a bit of research and learning.
Let's start with 10 essential tips for wildlife photography - and then provide additional resources for your journey. Wildlife photography is an ongoing adventure, so let's start the safari!
So how do you become a great wildlife photographer? It's a combination of lots of practice and a bit of research and learning.
Let's start with 10 essential tips for wildlife photography - and then provide additional resources for your journey. Wildlife photography is an ongoing adventure, so let's start the safari!
Getting the Basics Right
It doesn't matter what kind of camera you use, although some gear is generally preferred for wildlife photography. But there are some basics that you need to feel comfortable with in order to capture great images.Tip # 1 - Choose Between Aperture & Shutter Speed
Think about the shot you are going for. Do you want to use Apeture Priority to control the depth of field and blur out a background? Do you have a wild animal grabbing a fish from a stream and you need to freeze the water dripping from his face?
Make sure you are comfortable with using both aperture priority and shutter priority on your camera.
Tip # 2 - Understand Shooting Outdoors and the Sunny f/16 rule
When shooting in bright sunlight, your camera's meter tends to fooled, so the pros rely on the Sunny f/16 rule. When the camera is set to f/16 the shutter speed needed for a correct exposure is the one closest to the ISO.
So if you had an ISO rating of 100, at f/16 you would set the shutter to 1/125 sec. Can't get to f/16 on your camera? Simply adjust as you go, so f/11 would be 1/250 sec and f/8 would be 1/500 sec.
Tip # 3 - Expose White subjects in Bright Sunlight Properly
If you have a bright white subject, like a goat or a swan - the sunny f/16 rule is going to be slightly off. The exposure you get will be too bright and you'll lose the details you want. In this case, you want to "cut" your exposure by one stop. Don't try to use your camera's meter, as it will also be misled.
Simply take your sunny f/16 rule calculation and step down. So say you are at ISO 100 and f/8. The rule would say the shutter speed should be 1/500 sec. Instead, "stop down" the light by setting the shutter speed at 1/1000 sec. This will preserve the highlights and details. Use this method when dealing with lots of "white" in your photo - like snow or sand.
Tip # 4 - Use the Right Field Gear
Depending on the type of wildlife you prefer to shoot, different gear will usually be required. Here are some basic systems as recommend by John Shaw:Basic bird and mammal outfit:
camera and 50mm lens
tripod and cable release
300mm lens
to be added as you grow:
monopod
longer lens: 400mm-500,,
100mm lens
200mm lens
Basic Close-up system:
camera and 50mm lens
tripod
cable release
short telephoto lens 100mm-135mm
Also consider adding a polarizing filter and possibly an 81B warming filter to your gear.
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Field Techniques for Working with Wildlife
Tip # 5 - Get to Know Your SubjectSpend some time researching animal behavior so that you can learn the signals that lead to interesting behavior. Knowing when and where an animal likes to feed, or realizing the signs of playing or stalking prey - these all lead to being able to second-guess what the animal is going to do. Then it's a combination of patience and being in the right place at the right time.
Tip # 6 - Get In Close
There are many great books available for techniques on stalking and approaching your subject on foot. Getting in close it what makes those memorable wildlife photos that got us interested in this branch of photography in the first place. All animals have a safety zone, and gaining an animal's trust is not easy.
Tip # 7 - Make Yourself Invisible
Some animals will simply not tolerate human presence. In these cases you need to setup a blind - also called a hide. Sometimes you can use a car as a mobile blind, but for some animals you simply have to be completely concealed. You can find blinds of all sizes on the internet, particularly shops that cater to hunters - or you can build your own.
What's the best book for Wildlife Photography?
There are some must-have books on wildlife photography and nature photography. If you are looking for advice and inspiration from the world-class photographers, then this is your list!
John Shaw's Nature Photography Field Guide by John Shaw
An updated bestseller, this book of extraordinaril more...2 points
Digital Nature Photography: The Art and the Science by John and Barbara Gerlach
Over 50,000 photographers cant be wrong! John and more...1 point
Dynamic Wildlife Photography: Techniques for Creating Captivating Images by Cathy Illg, Gordon Illg
For experienced photographers who want to apply th more...0 points
The Magic of Digital Nature Photography (A Lark Photography Book) by Rob Sheppard
For anyone who has waited for just the right momen more...0 points
Wildlife: The World's Top Photographers and the stories behind their greatest images (World's Top Photographers) by Terry Hope
Stunning images from the world's most acclaimed wi more...0 points
Digital Wildlife Photography by David Tipling
Digital photography has quickly become the norm fo more...0 points
Going Beyond the Standard Image
Today, everyone is capturing photos of wildlife. To stand out, you need to go beyond the basic photo.Tip # 8 - Capture the Animal's Behavior
I was very lucky with this picture. I was shooting away, taking all sorts of shots as this baby Orangutan was moving around.
I kept hanging out and watching him, and as he moved over to the burlap bag I knew it was only a matter of time before he gave me this wonderful pose.
This goes back to researching your subject, and knowing what types of behavior to expect. Social animals, like prairie dogs and chimpanzees can be a gold mine of interesting activity. This requires a ton of patience. You could watch an animal for and hour, and for 59 minutes they may do absolutely nothing. But being aware of possible behavior, and being ready for it, plays a huge role in bringing home that once-in-a-lifetime shot.
Tip # 9 - Show the Animal's Mood
The picture above of the Korean Wolf is an example of capturing the mood of your subject. I watched this wolf wander back and forth, circle around some rocks, and finally lay down. He was moving somewhat "heavily", and when he finally rested it was a moment that captured the feeling of bone-weary tiredness, kind of a weight-of-the-world.
Now of course, I have no idea how the animal really felt - but the emotion he invoked in me while I was watching was the "mood" I attempted to capture. Look for these moments that tell a story, and your wildlife photos will have more of an impact on your viewer.
Wildlife Photographer Galleries
Need some inspiration? Here are some great wildlife photographers - I guarantee their pictures will inspire you.
- Nick Brandt Photography
- Nick Brandt's images of the animals of Eastern Africa take one's breath away. These powerful glimpses of another world are so intimate one might hear the rustle of brush as a cheetah makes herself known, or the breathing of a lion as he stands alert. One cannot help but connect with these animals.
- Michael "Nick" Nichols - National Geographic Wildlife Photographer
- Wildlife photography, field stories, and detailed how-tos from National Geographic staff photographer Michael 'Nick' Nichols, also called the 'Indiana Jones of Photography.'
- Moose Peterson: Imagery of Wild America
- A Nikon Legend Behind the Lens, Lexar Elite Photographer, recipient of the John Muir Conservation Award, Research Associate with the Endangered Species Recovery Program, published in over 130 magazines worldwide, author of 23 books and lecturing across the country to thousands upon thousands of photographers barely covers the work and goals of wildlife photographer Moose Peterson.
- Dave Watts Wildlife Photographer
- For photo researchers and all wildlife enthusiasts visit the galleries to
view stunning wildlife images from Australia, Europe and elsewhere. - Animals in the Wild: Wildlife Photography by Jim Robertson
- Animals in the Wild: Wildlife Photography by Jim Robertson
Tip # 10 - Practice at Zoos and Wildlife Parks
The best way to improve your wildlife photography is to practice! We can't all go on a photo tour to Africa, but there exists a ton of opportunity for you to practice at Zoos and Wildlife Parks.
I personally prefer Wildlife Parks whenever I can, as they tend to try and do more natural settings without all the cages and barbed wire.
All the photos used here, with the exception of the first photo, are my personal photos. They were taken at the Tama Zoological Park outside Tokyo, Japan. I had a chance to spend the day really watching and getting great shots of these animals.
The situation won't always be perfect, and you generally will have to deal with some less-than-perfect lighting, but as with this picture of the Siberian Tiger - sometimes it comes together for a great shot!
I personally prefer Wildlife Parks whenever I can, as they tend to try and do more natural settings without all the cages and barbed wire.
All the photos used here, with the exception of the first photo, are my personal photos. They were taken at the Tama Zoological Park outside Tokyo, Japan. I had a chance to spend the day really watching and getting great shots of these animals.
The situation won't always be perfect, and you generally will have to deal with some less-than-perfect lighting, but as with this picture of the Siberian Tiger - sometimes it comes together for a great shot!
More Wildlife Photography Resources on the Web
There is a wealth of information about wildlife photography on the web, but you have to filter through a lot of websites to find the best articles. This list is constantly updated to give you the most recent information from around the web:
- Wildlife Photography - Five Practical Tips For Beginners
- Most of the photography guides these days focus on the technical aspects of the camera: but really good photography relies more on composition, lighting, and sensitivity to your subject. This means you can improve your photography by thinking creatively, not technically.
- An Introduction to Avian Flight Photography
- Avian flight photography doesn't have to be an unreachable goal for you. As difficult as it may seem, making consistently good flight images is possible...
- Making Eye-to-Eye Wildlife Portraits
- There's an instant connection when you make eye contact with another living creature. It's one of the key ways we understanding each other and convey emotions - important elements in a powerful photo, the kind that makes you go 'wow'. Master wildlife photographer Frans Lanting calls this intimate style of photography 'eye-to-eye'.
- Long Lens Technique and Camera Settings
- The following essay is intended for advanced and serious wildlife shooters. I frequently get requests from people to share some of my techniques, camera settings, etc. Therefore, I've put together the following article explaining how I go about getting my shots.
- Composition in Nature Photography
- If a photographer asked you to explain composition as it relates to photography, do you know what you would say? If your answer would be "I'm not 100% certain" or "I don't know enough to explain it" don't fret, you are in very good company. Aside from mastering exposure, composition is one of the most difficult parts of photography for many to learn.
- Animal & Wildlife Photography
- Photographing animals, whether your cat at home or a cougar in the great outdoors, requires patience, perseverance and an understanding of animal behaviour so you can predict how they will be likely to act or react.
- Photographing Wildlife - The Eyes Have It
- Wildlife photography can be one of the most challenging fields of photography, and one of the most rewarding. Beginners should remember one thing above all when trying to master wildlife photography: it's all in the eyes.
- Nature, Wildlife and Landscape Photography Resource
- An online nature photography resource dedicated to the art and technique of nature, wildlife and landscape photography.
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Lensmaster
cunninghamster
Excellent Lens. It's nice to see some useful info instead of just a lot of referral links to cameras. I hope you keep adding and updating it. Thanks.
Posted March 07, 2009
dustytoes wrote...
A lot of patience is needed to get great wildlife shots. I enjoyed this lens and your photos.
Posted February 20, 2009
by bghouse
Welcome to my Lens on Wildlife Photography!
Photography is one of my favorite passions. I actually only became interested about 6 years ago. I quickl...
