There is no doubt that taking photographs of wildlife is a terrific challenge. You better be well prepared before you head out to take pictures of animals and birds. It's not as easy as it might look, no matter what anyone tells you. If you have your own animals, or if your friends have animals, there is no better way to practice what you will need to do when the 'real' thing comes along than with their dogs or cats or birds. Being able to study these domestic animals up close will give you somewhat of an idea of what you can expect when you venture out past the backyard. Keep in mind that animals make sudden moves - it can be very difficult to anticipate what they will do next. For that reason, your camera and the framing need to be at the ready faster than you can blink an eye. The more you know [about wildlife] and the faster you are, the better pictures you will take. Here are some tips for photographing both animals and birds in the wild:
Before setting out, practice taking shots of moving targets. By learning how to pan the camera to capture a moving target, it will allow you to get the best possible shots.
Keep your camera handy and set up for unexpected encounters. Make sure you have fully charged camera batteries and plenty of film or memory.
Before you go into an area, read up on what kinds of animals and birds are commonly found there. Learn all you can about these animals and birds. This will help you know where to look to find them and what kinds of behavior to expect.
Once you have reached your destination, make sure to walk and move quietly as you search for animals and birds to photograph. By learning to be immobile, you will ensure that your presence doesn't startle or threaten the wildlife around you.
Learn to be observant of everything around you using all your senses. With a little practice, you will gain the ability to be aware of small movements, unusual colors or sounds, even smells that can tip you off to the presence of an animal or bird even when they are well camouflaged. I cannot believe how many times I've watched people walk right by wildlife without noticing them. Hiking with an awareness of your surroundings enhances your experience immeasurably.
The use of telephoto lenses is a must when shooting wildlife. A telephoto lense is the best thing to have to bring you in as close as possible to the intended target without scaring it away. By the same token, a tripod is not always a necessity. If you're lucky enough to have an abundance of light and have practised enough in advance, you will be able to take pictures at a fast shutter speed thereby eliminating shaking of the camera. You can also invest in a camera equipped with a telephoto lense that has vibration reduced technology, but keep in mind these are considerably more expensive to buy.
For the best shots, it is imperative to put the sharpest focus on the eyes of animals or birds.
Shoot small animals from a lower angle.
The best times of the day for both viewing and photographing wildlife are early mornings or just before dark; it is at this time where the light is the most dramatic and animals are most active.
Do your best to keep the sun at your back so as to ensure the light will fall directly on the subject.
Using all these tips will help you improve your nature photography. The very most important thing is practice, practice, practice and don't forget to enjoy yourself!
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