Wildlife Photography Tips

Look closely at the nature around you. We are surrounded by patterns, reflections, colour and unusual shapes all born from nature. There could be a pattern in a knot of wood, a raindrop on a leaf, or the formation pattern in a rock which you have never noticed before which would make a fantastic photograph.

Blur

Using a slower shutter speed can give you a very different image compared to sticking with your camera’s preset settings. Experiment with shutter speed, light and dark to give your images more depth.

Preparing the Shot

If you are taking pictures of an animal chances are it’s not going to sit still and pose for you. Think about what kind of shot you want to get. For example, you go to a lake and want a shot of the swans. Doing what? If you simply wait for them to do something different you may not be prepared when they do. Decide what you’re looking for. If you want a picture of a swan taking flight, concentrate on the routine that the birds go through before they take off, so you’ll recognise the signs and be ready for them.

Heavenly Bodies

The Sun, moon and stars can be very tricky to photograph. The Sun should not be looked at directly through a lens but rather through a visual filter to prevent damage to both yourself and potentially your camera. The moon is also a tricky photographic customer. It may look big to us, but appears small through the lens. It is also an object which is in direct sunlight. When it is not full you may need a slightly longer exposure, though with the variations in brightness across the moon it may be hard to pin down one single exposure which can give you the best results. Experiment with speed and settings to find the best combination for you. Photographs including the stars need to be kept at a relatively short exposure to prevent ’star trails’, unless this is the look you are specifically going for.

Take More Pictures

Take many many photos of your intended subject, you can always clear down the ones you don’t want later.