Simple Wildlife Photography Tips

GET A BIG LENS

A long lens has some obvious advantages in wildlife photography. Best of all it allows you to work from a comfortable distance, and that reduces the chance of disturbing the animal. The goal in wildlife photography is to capture animals behaving as they would in nature and that’s more likely if they don’t know you’re there. Keep in mind that your camera will probably require some form of stabilization at the long end of the zoom range. In-camera and lens stabilization is great, but you can’t beat a sturdy tripod.

Know Your Camera Gear

Your best wildlife photography opportunities aren’t going to last long.  You’ve typically got 10-30 seconds at most to get an action shot before everything changes. It helps to know your camera and lenses well, so that you can make quick adjustments. What is the minimum shutter speed that will give you a sharp image? What about your aperture? Play around and practice with your equipment as much as possible beforehand so you’re ready to capture that instant when the action happens.

OBSERVE

The more time you spend observing an animal, the greater your chance of predicting its movements and behaviors, and getting the shot you want. A pair of binoculars can be useful for those times.

TAKE PLENTY OF SHOTS

Remember that even the most experienced photographers may take hundreds of photos to get “the perfect shot.” So shoot a lot! Many animals move fast, and you might miss some incredible action if you’re too conservative in the number of pictures you take. With the incredible number of images that can be stored in memory card these days, you shouldn’t hesitate to press that button over and over again. You can always edit/delete later. 

Make Yourself Comfortable

You’re going to be out in nature, and you’re going to have to be there for a while to get the shot you want. Dress appropriately with the weather, use sunscreen in hot climate and remember to bring plenty of water.  If you’re completely comfortable, you’re that much more likely to stick around and be there for that perfect shot.

Be responsible

Remember that these are wild animals you’re photographing. Getting your desired image should NEVER impact an animal’s well-being or sense of comfort, its right to survival, or the survival of the habitat on which it depends. Never feed a wild animal in order to coax it closer for a photo. This is irresponsible and could lead to the animal or a person getting hurt.  Keep in mind the impact you are having on their habitat just by being there, and work to minimize that impact. Your goal should be to capture the best image possible of wild animals living their lives naturally, without harming them in any way. Take only pictures, and leave only your footprints.