The Best Advice About Wildlife Photography

Some of the most beautiful photographs you’ll ever see were taken by wildlife photographers, and if you’re passionate about nature, you might want to consider becoming one yourself. If that’s the case, you might wonder how wildlife photographers get some of their shots—for example, how did they get that picture of a baby polar bear in its den? The thing to keep in mind is that there are no shortcuts when it comes to wildlife photography.

Wildlife photography is about the animals

The first thing to remember is that wildlife photography is not about getting great pictures. It’s about documenting animals in their natural environment, something which can be a challenge, but will pay off once you get there. The goal should be making your subjects look like they belong in their habitat and showing them off to their best advantage by taking into account all aspects of their behavior and appearance (including seasonal changes). This takes practice, but with a little training anyone can do it. Now, let’s take a look at some specific things you should do when going out with your camera to document these fascinating creatures! Here are a few tips

Always be prepared

Being prepared is one of those things that sounds obvious but can be easy to forget. There’s a lot to remember when you’re taking pictures in nature, especially if you want your subjects to appear natural and relaxed—for example, think about how often you visit your local supermarket without a list: there are snacks, drinks, and all kinds of other odds and ends that are easily forgotten if they aren’t on our radar. The same goes for wildlife photography: You don’t want to look like an amateur by having your camera pointed at nothing as a herd of deer make their way across a field or missing out on an incredible opportunity because you forgot something crucial.

Be patient

One of the most common mistakes people make when trying to take photos of animals is being too aggressive. Animals can sense fear, and if you’re anxious about disturbing them or getting close enough for a good shot, your anxiety will be apparent to them. Instead, try to be patient and confident as you wait for them to show themselves. Letting wildlife get used to your presence by not showing your excitement can also make it easier for you to get closer when they don’t feel threatened.

Keep quiet

Wildlife photography is all about silence. The animals you’re trying to capture often have incredible hearing, which makes it difficult to creep up on them. And if you do get close enough for a good shot, that can mean hours of sitting and waiting. If your camera even has a shutter sound, turn it off—animals can hear them from up to half a mile away! For wildlife photography or any other photo shoot where your goal is to capture photos without scaring away what you’re photographing, do yourself a favor and keep things quiet .

Know your gear

To get great shots of wildlife, you need to know your gear inside and out. Practice getting familiar with your lenses so that when a gorgeous animal comes along, you can immediately zoom in on its face. Even if you’re shooting from a distance, take full advantage of your camera’s capabilities—wildlife photography doesn’t mean using up all your film on squirrels and birds. You may want to consider taking courses on photo gear as well as wildlife so that you can learn how to master every piece of equipment you own.

Shoot early in the morning or late in the afternoon

The best light isn’t available at mid-day and shooting in shade can be tricky if you don’t have a telephoto lens. Getting up early (but before sunrise) or staying out late (after sunset) is your best bet for capturing crisp images. If you get tired of waiting, invest in some good gear; fast lenses are key. If you can afford a full frame DSLR, it will serve you better than most point-and-shoot cameras for wildlife photography and adventure photography alike.

Patience, persistence, and luck!

Although patience is a virtue, it can only take you so far. If you truly want to excel at wildlife photography, be persistent in your efforts and develop a shoot from anywhere mentality. That means creating opportunities to shoot when an area looks good (or doesn't), and not being limited by access restrictions or your own preferences. Of course, there's always luck involved too! So go out as often as possible, stay optimistic, and work with what Mother Nature throws at you. Finally, don't feel bad about moving on if something isn't working out: It could turn into great practice for another day!

Have an idea of what you want to shoot before you go

There are a lot of people that go out and try to photograph different things, but they don’t have any specific idea of what they want to take a picture of. If you take some time and do some research on what kinds of wildlife live in your area, then you’ll have an easier time trying to capture them in their natural habitat. You can also ask local photographers where they like to go when they are looking for specific animals. Make sure that you don’t become one of those people who sets up their trip with little planning because it takes away from your overall experience. When you are in a new place and looking for something specific, it can be difficult and stressful. Try not to add unnecessary pressure by being too eager!