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Master Wildlife Photography with These Tips and Tricks. Discover essential wildlife photography tips and tricks to capture stunning shots of animals in their natural habitat. Learn how to choose the right equipment, techniques for approaching wildlife, and settings for different lighting conditions. Whether you're a beginner or an enthusiast, these insights will enhance your skills and help you capture memorable moments. Explore the best locations for wildlife photography and how to respect and protect wildlife while shooting.
READ MOREI started my Travel and Wildlife photography journey in 2012. Since then, I have traveled to more than 75 cities, captured more than 500 birds species, won several awards along the way and acquired a decent collection of images. Currently I am following this passion as well as working full time as an Interior Photographer and Faculty of Wildlife Photography in an institute on a part-time basis.
Read about your camera as much as possible. Know it to the core. You should know every single function of your camera. Wildlife photography is very tricky and does not last for more than a few seconds. If you are not aware of your camera features, you will miss the moment.
Let’s first understand that what a telephoto lens is? A telephoto lens has a long reach which allows you to capture a subject which is far away from a normal lens’s reach. Please understand that a telephoto lens and a zoom lens are two completely different things. If any camera has an inbuilt zoom lens which can zoom up to 20x, 30x or so on, are not telephoto lenses. A telephoto lens comes with a variety of focal lengths like a 55-250mm or 70-200mm.
Shutter speed plays a very important role in wildlife photography. If it's not up to the mark, chances are you'll miss that shot. If you are capturing a bird in action, make sure that the shutter speed varies from 1/1000 to 1/4000 (1/8000 too is achievable in high-end cameras). However, don't forget to play with it. If you are looking for a panning shot, you can use between 1/30 to 1/250 as well. Though, it depends on that time's conditions too.
It's a necessity in wildlife photography. The shot of this flying Crested Serpent Eagle is not just another random shot for me. It required a lot of patience. I saw this eagle sitting on a branch and somewhere, got an intuition that he will fly in this direction. I decided to wait for him to fly. He did the same but took more than 1.5 hours before the flight. Waiting for 1.5 hours to capture something is not a big deal. At times, you'll be coming back empty handed even after giving your more than 100%. Be ready for that.
Images captured in golden hours can be the best in your portfolio. If you are planning to capture during golden hours, make sure you reach before they even start. During these hours, give extra attention to the white balance. You can easily spoil the moment by making it too warm or fluorescent. Make sure that you are capturing in RAW so that you can adjust the tone later. Though, priority should be to get it straight into the camera.
To know about the behavior of your subject can be a boon for you. Don't hit the field and start clicking. Spend some time first. Give close attention to the behavior of birds, animals or whatever you are capturing. Notice there flying patterns or walking style, concentrate on the directions which they are following, notice the activity they are doing. These small things will help you in capturing something different.
This is a very crucial point in wildlife photography. It tests your patience, strength, and fitness altogether. If any of them is lacking, you will face a challenge. Though, eye level shots can be the game changers too. Lying down on that dirty ground, full of animals shit, or at times on a muddy ground which will change the color of your clothes will eventually help you in getting some amazing shots. To get eye level shots without disturbing the birds, at times you need to crawl as well.
Ans: Better background - There'll be a sea change in the image's background which you'll be getting from a car or the ground.
Feel of habitat - I agree that eye level shots are not always possible but whenever you get the opportunity, go for it. It'll not just give you a clear background but also the layers in your image. With little efforts, you may end up getting the ground layer as foreground, subject at eye level and sky/bushes or whatever available as a proper background. The depth of field which you'll get would be breathtaking.
Hear the chirping of birds, see flowing water, feel the wind touching your cheeks. Merge yourself with Mother Nature.
This is one of the most ignored tricks in wildlife photography as many people are busy in getting THAT PERFECT SHOT.
At times, when in the field, I put my camera inside the bag, lie down on the ground and feel the nature. This helps me in getting better frames (try it yourself). Don't be there for the sake of being there, be there to feel your own existence. Be ONE with Nature.
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