Taking photographs of wildlife is interesting and exciting. But it is not easy. It calls for a lot of patience and good photography skills. You may have to wait for hours together to get the perfect shot. A second’s delay in clicking may lead to hours of waiting getting wasted.
A wildlife photographer would spend a lot of time in nature. It is a photography niche that is definitely satisfying. Here are some tips that will help you excel in wildlife photography. These six tips will help you get the best wildlife photographs that people would appreciate.
6 Wildlife photography tips
1) Get a good camera
You need a good quality camera to take the best photographs. Taking photographs of wildlife calls for a professional camera. A DSLR camera would be the best option. You will ideally need a weather-sealed camera that can work well in different conditions. You need a camera with a great set of features that can be used in manual mode. The camera should have interchangeable lenses, so you can take photos of large animals and very small ones.
Professional photographers would use telephotos since they are best suited to shoot from a long distance. Going close to wildlife to take photos is not easy and in many cases not recommended. Telephoto lenses with optical stabilization will help you get good photos even from a distance. You need a tripod that is sturdy. Invest in a good quality tripod preferably made of fiber or aluminum, so it is strong and stable. You should also consider good photo editing software to maximise the quality of your photographs.
2) Start from home
You first need to get used to taking photos of birds, animals, and insects. So, start from the familiar environment of your home before you think of venturing into the forest. Start from your garden by taking photos of the fauna you find there. This will help you understand how to choose the best camera settings to take long and close-up shots. Start with shooting butterflies, as it is a good option to help you learn wildlife photography.
You can find various fauna on the streets of the city you love. From mice to stray dogs, and feral cats to raccoons, you can find different types of animals. Go out at night to get photos of animals. This will give you good practice before you venture into the forests for wildlife photography.
3) Do proper research
When you set out to take wildlife photographs, you would have a particular objective in mind. You may want to shoot pictures of a particular bird or animal. If that is the case, you need to know everything about your subject. Do sufficient research. Thankfully, online resources are available that will help you know more about the wildlife you want to shoot. Learn about the behavior of the animal, watch videos, and read books. This will equip you with the knowledge you need to take the best photos.
4) Patience is the key
Wildlife photography is completely different from all other types of photography. Things are not in your control. You need to wait for the animal or bird to make an appearance. This itself may take a lot of time if you are waiting for elusive animals. Once the animal is sighted, you need to be able to focus on it. Then you need to wait for the perfect moment to get a great photo. All this calls for patience. You may need to wait for hours for a great photo opportunity. Some animals can be aggressive, and you may need to shoot from a distance. Learn to be patient, this is a vital skill for wildlife photography.
5) Take many photos
You cannot expect to get the perfect photograph in one shot. In fact, you may not even be able to get it in ten or twenty. When it comes to wildlife photography, you may need to take hundreds of photographs. You never know when an animal would show a particular reaction that makes a photo a great one. The solution is to keep clicking. Take as many photographs as possible. You can, later on, sift through the photos and pick the best ones.
6) Select the right settings
You need the right and perfect camera settings to get the best photo. The settings depend on the weather, the background, and the lighting. A low ISO setting is ideal, so you minimize the noise. If you are shooting animals that move fast, then you need to select a fast shutter speed. 1/2000 seconds or higher speed is ideal.
My name is Amy and i’ve been a passionate blogger about life, love and travel for many years. I first started blogging in 1997 and it’s been quite a journey since then. I keep my blog up-to-date on a weekly basis and you can also follow me on my Twitter account here: Hello