Wildlife photography can be a challenging yet creative hobby. Various aspects to it elevate your experience of simply capturing a subject. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that it is an adventure in itself, from the searching for your subject to the click of your shutter. However, as fun, as it may seem, there are some challenges that many if not all photographers face. For instance, it is a very difficult task to capture an active wildlife subject in your lens and there are usually a plethora of variables that can be problematic for the photographer to control.
Here are our 5 best tips on how you can improve your wildlife photography despite the many hurdles usually faced. If you want to capture perfect landscape then discover the secrets landscape photography in this course.
Know your wildlife subject
Knowing your subject is essential in capturing a good wildlife Photograph. Not only does that show the sincerity and the effort of the cameraman, but it also aids in capturing breathtaking photographs.
Yes, it is extremely hard to capture an active subject. But knowing about your subject changes the game. Learn about the typical behavioral traits of the animal you are capturing and you’ll know when to capture them in your lens. This can even help you in predicting what the animal may do next or which facial expression is the best to capture on your lens.
You can learn about wildlife from many different sources such as books, magazines, and even the internet by watching videos on youtube and you’ll know when your subject migrates or what it does before starting a fight and if you are lucky enough, you can even capture it!
Use good lighting
A good wildlife photo always means good lighting. LIghting can tremendously affect what you are capturing. Keep experimenting with different types of lighting until you find the right one. Many photographers love to use backlighting where the sun is right behind your wildlife subject. However, it can be tricky to get the best shot using this technique. Hence, it is a good idea to experiment with different lighting styles such as rim-lighting and side-lighting, to find out the different effects they bring in your photographs. Although, it is best to know that the best times to capture wildlife are sunrise and sunset since the light angle is low.
Invest in a good tripod
If you are using a cheap sturdy tripod, get rid of it now. It is only coming in the way of your success. Invest in a good tripod and you’ll notice the difference in your photography. Get equipment made of aluminium or carbon fiber as it’ll survive in extreme environments. They may be a little expensive but will surely be worth it.
Learn to be patient
Having good photography skills does not guarantee success alone for a wildlife photographer. You need to have a wide variety of skills and virtues to make a name for yourself. Hence, the first skill apart from photography is having patience. You’ll need to be patient and observe your subjects’ movements. Notice what they are doing and think about what they might do next. Patiently study their movements and wait for the right moment to shoot your shot. You’ll also need to learn how to approach the animal and survive in hot temperatures.
Practice
It’s not wrong when they say that practice makes perfect. Just like any other skill, photography also improves from practicing. You can always practice in places and parks near you and experiment with your lighting and angles. Not only will this give you a better grip over your skills it will also help improve your confidence in photography.
