Outdoor enthusiasts love to watch wildlife and taking photos of animals is a natural extension of this interest. There are many things that the budding amateur wildlife photographer can do to take better photos of wildlife.
Wildlife photography can be broken into four areas of discussion: opportunity, skill, wildlife behavior and equipment. Any discussion of wildlife photography needs to conclude with a conversation about outdoor ethics and personal safety.
The Opportunity to Photograph Animals
Wildlife photography at its most basic level is a story of numbers. Good photographs result from making a concerted effort to come in contact with the subjects. Opportunity comes from spending time in the field and paying some dues. A photographer can increase the odds of a great shot by always carrying their camera and trying out areas that are favorable to wildlife viewing. A visit to Denali or Yellowstone National Parks will expose the photographer to wildlife more tolerant to their presence. Visiting regions rich in wildlife resources certainly provides a good training ground for the photographer.
Practice Taking Photos of Animals
The beauty of digital cameras and inexpensive memory storage is that there is no penalty for taking a lot of pictures. With practice, there comes skill in use of the equipment and the vocation. Attempts to vary exposure and depth of view settings will help develop personal preferences for technique and will eventually improve the quality of photos taken. One hint that comes from the world of competitive shooting is to practice taking photos with both eyes open. One eye watches the photo’s composition and the other observes what is happening in the background.
Getting Close to the Wildlife
Getting close to the subject has a profound effect on the quality of wildlife photography. Many excellent photos are produced with modest equipment because the photographer used some skill in approaching the subject. Remember that the sounds a camera makes or its flash can and will startle animals.
Wildlife photographers can learn from game hunters. The hunting skills of stalking and use of blinds can bring a person closer to wildlife. A good wildlife photographer, like a successful hunter learns the behaviors of their subject through research and close observation.
Wildlife Photography Equipment
Great wildlife photos can be taken using minimal equipment. A person can start with a basic camera and slowly build up their complement of gear as they personally develop as a photographer. Point and shoot cameras have been used successfully to take wildlife photos, but it might be a good idea to initially purchase a digital single lens reflex (SLR) camera that allows the use of interchangeable lenses.
The kit lens that comes with a basic SLR camera is a good beginning, but there is a huge advantage in wildlife photography gained through use of a telephoto lens. Prices of a long prime lens can be extraordinary, but there are many capable lenses with lengths of up to 400mm on the market.
The size of the quarry is a major factor in gear selection. Bird photography demands a longer lens than that needed for something like an elk or bear. Additional items to consider for purchase are a tripod or monopod, a polarizing filter and a haze filter.
Wildlife Ethics and Personal Safety
The quest for that great wildlife shot shouldn’t come at the expense of the animal. Avoid disturbing or damaging habitat. It isn’t good to harass or scare animals off of nests or resting sites. Remember there are laws protecting animals, the Marine Mammal Protection Act as an example, protects many animals living along the coast. Getting close to wildlife can place the photographer in danger. Contact with a skunk or porcupine may pose one level of risk, but the wrath of a Brown bear adds some serious safety concerns for a photographer. A good photo should never come at the risk of serious injury or death.
Wildlife photography can be broken into four areas of discussion: opportunity, skill, wildlife behavior and equipment. Any discussion of wildlife photography needs to conclude with a conversation about outdoor ethics and personal safety.
The Opportunity to Photograph Animals
Wildlife photography at its most basic level is a story of numbers. Good photographs result from making a concerted effort to come in contact with the subjects. Opportunity comes from spending time in the field and paying some dues. A photographer can increase the odds of a great shot by always carrying their camera and trying out areas that are favorable to wildlife viewing. A visit to Denali or Yellowstone National Parks will expose the photographer to wildlife more tolerant to their presence. Visiting regions rich in wildlife resources certainly provides a good training ground for the photographer.
Practice Taking Photos of Animals
The beauty of digital cameras and inexpensive memory storage is that there is no penalty for taking a lot of pictures. With practice, there comes skill in use of the equipment and the vocation. Attempts to vary exposure and depth of view settings will help develop personal preferences for technique and will eventually improve the quality of photos taken. One hint that comes from the world of competitive shooting is to practice taking photos with both eyes open. One eye watches the photo’s composition and the other observes what is happening in the background.
Getting Close to the Wildlife
Getting close to the subject has a profound effect on the quality of wildlife photography. Many excellent photos are produced with modest equipment because the photographer used some skill in approaching the subject. Remember that the sounds a camera makes or its flash can and will startle animals.
Wildlife photographers can learn from game hunters. The hunting skills of stalking and use of blinds can bring a person closer to wildlife. A good wildlife photographer, like a successful hunter learns the behaviors of their subject through research and close observation.
Wildlife Photography Equipment
Great wildlife photos can be taken using minimal equipment. A person can start with a basic camera and slowly build up their complement of gear as they personally develop as a photographer. Point and shoot cameras have been used successfully to take wildlife photos, but it might be a good idea to initially purchase a digital single lens reflex (SLR) camera that allows the use of interchangeable lenses.
The kit lens that comes with a basic SLR camera is a good beginning, but there is a huge advantage in wildlife photography gained through use of a telephoto lens. Prices of a long prime lens can be extraordinary, but there are many capable lenses with lengths of up to 400mm on the market.
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The size of the quarry is a major factor in gear selection. Bird photography demands a longer lens than that needed for something like an elk or bear. Additional items to consider for purchase are a tripod or monopod, a polarizing filter and a haze filter.
Wildlife Ethics and Personal Safety
The quest for that great wildlife shot shouldn’t come at the expense of the animal. Avoid disturbing or damaging habitat. It isn’t good to harass or scare animals off of nests or resting sites. Remember there are laws protecting animals, the Marine Mammal Protection Act as an example, protects many animals living along the coast. Getting close to wildlife can place the photographer in danger. Contact with a skunk or porcupine may pose one level of risk, but the wrath of a Brown bear adds some serious safety concerns for a photographer. A good photo should never come at the risk of serious injury or death.