Wildlife and Photography

When we say wildlife the thought goes straight to animals. It can be said that there are two types of animals: ones that are really wild and others that are under human control for example in zoos etc. well, whichever we photograph it is fun and as photographers we know how to make everything fun and enjoyable. It is always a photographer’s dream to capture that perfect natural image of an animal in its natural environment. It is however, not that easy. We have to ether travel to far places and wait for hours or even days to get the right animal and picturing environment. Some animals are extremely dangerous and getting close to them is not a great idea. We are here to help you with your photo shoot of wild life. Please take advantage of some photographing tips below.

Environmental or Close up?

Sometimes we want a close up head shot of the animal but this can be done at any zoo. If we really want to go wild we try to compose the environment and the scene in the photo. We should sometimes try to integrate the environment in the composition along with the animal in it. Try giving a sense of the place, setting and the scene where the picture was shot. Be more artistic and take pictures with mountains in the background and not just the face of the deer. However, don’t just focus on the mountains because then we lose the purpose of wildlife. Make sure you subject (animal) is visible while giving a sense of the environment.

From a Car

Sometimes we just cannot risk being on foot and getting close to the animals. This is when we go to safari parks and national parks to make sure we are safe. We are allowed to drive our cars close to the wildlife and be sure to be safe. Of course, we are allowed to take pictures when we are in the park. The best way to photograph from inside the vehicles is by using a stable platform that attaches firmly to the driver’s door when the window is rolled down. You can buy a mount that attaches to the door and the best part is that they are not too expensive. An alternative is a cloth pouch filled with uncooked rice or sand can be used. It is pretty simple and can be home made. You just need a pouch and can fill it up with sand as you reach the scene.

Where to find wildlife to Picture?

Wildlife is not as hard to find as it may seem. Even if you’re in the city you can find many places to go and do your photo shoot. You might not even have to travel far distances. Just grab a computer and search on the internet.

Remember that only lions, tigers, buffalo, giraffes, and zebras are not wildlife. There are small forms of animals that are considered wildlife. You can take macro or close-up images of animals such as frogs, lizards and insects. You might find many breeders around your city and you can contact them and arrange a photography session. You’ll be amazed with the ways people have to negotiate. I recently did a session and worked with the breeder in exchange of the photos from the photo shoot. So get out there and don’t be shy. Take advantage of all the facilities the world has to offer. You don’t need to go into a forest or jungle. Just look around and you’ll make your life much easier.

Be Steady

Sometimes we might be shooting from a distance and it is quite possible to add motion blur to the images. Well, this is why we have tripods so get out there and invest in one. If you don’t have a tripod or forget it home then try using a bean bag or something to hold your camera still. Hold your camera with both hands. Turn on steady mode or image stabilization in your camera or lens. If you don’t have these functions in your camera body or lens you might want to invest in one. In low light situations and when shooting from far, I find it a very useful and a handy option. Even if you have an image stabilizing lens I would still recommend using a tripod because it increases stability in your images.

Finally

In conclusion I say that you should look for places nearby to photograph wild life. Try going to safari parks and national parks. Close up shots are good but also compose a picture with the scene and take an environmental shot. Use photographing from a car if you can to avoid any dangers or threats. Use a tripod, image stabilization lenses and other stability controls. And finally, be artistic and experiment with your imagination. Have Fun!