Shooting animals in their natural environment is one of those satisfying things that any photographer can strive to achieve. Warming up to wildlife entails the need to be closer to such animals, understanding their behavior and general attitude toward human beings and having the right tools that enhance these chances. Allow me to share some recommendations on how to capture fantastic animal shots in the wild.
Finding Your Subjects
The first step is therefore conducting an extensive survey on the areas where the species you are interested in photographing are found. Because national parks and nature preserves are specifically set aside for the conservation of wildlife, the best opportunities to observe a wide range of animals including large mammals, bird and insects will be found in these settings. Ask park rangers because they will give you information on where exactly and during what time of day you can expect to see what animal. They can also help you find out about guidelines or measures that need to be taken before engaging in any activity with wildlife.
You can also install a hide (blind) or use camouflage cloths at points where animals are normally found like, water sources and identified trails of migration. This let you become invisible to the animals and act as if you are not there hence the way they behave. But just be careful not to intrude with what they are supposed to do as animals.
Having identified your targets, you can then follow them discreetly at a distance with the help of binoculars. Observe them so that at the right time you have to capture a moment of action, you will have it set and ready. Keep your mouth shut so that they would not run away if you try to get closer to them.
Using the Right Gear
The type of equipment will depend on your subjects and places that you choose to take your photographs. For large animals, a telephoto zoom lens in the 200-400mm range helps a viewer to get a close look at the animal without getting too close. Coupled with a DSLR or mirrorless camera with a fast burst rate in order to capture quick moments of action on the set.
For shooting birds and insects you will need at least 400mm telephoto lens for shooting in close quarters. Improve your possibilities of crisply freezing fast motion through careful usage of cameras and lenses that can handle high shutter speeds of 1/4000 sec and above, and burst rates of 10 frames per second or higher.
For conditions such as shooting in forests or at night, it will be advisable to increase the light sensitivity of your cameras through the use of a lens and camera body with wide maximum aperture (f/2. 8) and high ISO control (ISO 6400+). This enables the capture of fast shutter speeds which help reduce image blurring caused by camera movement and/or animal movement.
You might also wish to arm add-ons such as a monopod or bean bag for shooting bulky equipment. Use of a remote trigger or a shutter release cable to help minimize the camera shake. And it is always advisable to carry a flash unit for purposes of taking excellent pictures of animals especially during night or even during the day.
Patience is Key
This is a reminder that no matter how much the photographer invests in the latest equipment, he or she will never be able to substitute time and perseverance in pursuit of the perfect photograph. You have to wait a long time until the animals behave the way you wanted them to behave or at least show some interesting behavior. This could entail fixture in a location for days waiting to capture ‘the shot’. It does not matter if one is a professional of the trade; they go home without a catch more often than not.
They have to wait, but even while waiting they can keep shooting the scene and what is visible. Try out various perspectives, focus, framing, orientation, aperture, and focal lengths. Wildlife are sometimes very unpredictable and this means that you should always be prepared and have your camera ready at all times. The longer you spend there, the higher your likelihood of getting unique shots in terms of animals’ actions.
You should also be willing to revisit a good place more times choosing different times of the day and seasons. It is evident that animals move depending on the climatic conditions, food supply and the breeding seasons. The more you have learned about the area you are planning shooting in the better you will be in terms of being able to anticipate great photographic scenes.
In its simplest form, the message of the campaign is: ‘Respect Animals and Their Environment.‘
There is one golden rule that every photographer must adhere to, especially when taking images of animals – ‘do not harm the animal, its home, or the surrounding environment’. Do not provoke or attempt to get the animals agitated or stressed just to get closer to them or make them move in the desired positions. This includes methods that change their behavior patterns or interfere with special nesting and feeding habits.
This is particularly important especially when you are own a larger number of people, always stay close enough that they are not affected by your presence but far enough that may be forced to leave if they feel your presence is intrusive. Steer clear from employing calls that may possibly lure the animals or attracting them in a unnatural way. And it is also prohibited to ever grasp, relocate or adjust the wildlife subjects.
You should also avoid treading on sensitive areas and dusty grounds in your bid to take photos. If possible, avoid hiking off the established paths on fragile vegetation areas. Also, do not post the coordinates of some important nesting areas or habitats of endangered species in the social media where people will be encouraged to meddle with it.
This way, the environments and the behaviors of individuals are kept as natural as possible for further interactions to happen. Above all it saves stress which is not needed to the creatures that we are honored to photograph.
In Closing
Capturing fantastic wildlife entails efforts such as prior planning, skills on the ground, quality equipment and most importantly time. But the thrill that one feels when you are able to admire animals in their wild state is quite rewarding. It is important to note that while taking these photographs, the health of the wildlife and habitats should be taken into consideration in order to avoid compromising any of them; the following tips will assist you in capturing great shots of these animals. And with time and patience you will be sitting atop your photography game, creating stunning images that make the viewer feel as if they are in the middle of nature.