Even the mostexperienced photographerscan find taking shots of wildlifea challenge.To get the bestpictures, tricks of the trade need to be learned;and practiced;beforeventuringout into the field. Setting up yourequipment and framingyourshots has to be done quickly.One way in whichto practiceset-up and framingcan be done by taking pictures in yourown yard and/orlocal parks of yourown animals(if you havethem). With yourown animalsyou havethe opportunityto studytheirbehavior up closeand personalso you can thenanticipatewhatwillhappen next.Ultimately, the moreknowledgeyou haveabout yoursubject, particularly in the caseof animals, the betterpictures you willget. Hereare some tipson how to get the bestshots of animals[and birds] in the wild:
Before setting out,practicetaking shots of moving targets;. By learning;how to pan the camerato capture a moving target, it willallow you to get the bestpossibleshots.
Always keepyourcameraat the ready – unexpectedthings;can happen whenout in the wild.If using a digital camera, makesureit has enough memory and is fullycharged. Ensuring you havebatteries on hand is alsoa must.
Before arrivingat yourintended;destination,becomefamiliarwithwhatkindsof animalsand/orbirds you can expect to find there.By doingthis, you can thentakethe time prior to going there to learnall you can about thatparticular wildlife. Havingthisknowledgewillhelpyou in anticipatingboth where to look for yourintended;targets;as well as whattype of behavior you can expect fromthem.
Once you havereached yourdestination,makesureto walk and movequietly as you searchfor animalsand birds to photograph. By learning;to be immobile, you willensurethatyourpresence doesn’t startleor threaten the wildlifearoundyou. Useall yoursensesand be as observant as possibleto everythinghappening aroundyou.Through ongoingpractice, you can learnto detectmovement;, unusual colors and sounds and even certainsmells thatcan helpyou detectan animal or bird thathas carefullycamouflaged itself.Withoutthese skills, you may find yourself;walking right by the wildlifeyou intendto photographwithout;even noticingit was there.Havinga heightenedawareness of yoursurroundings whenhiking to photographwildlife, can go a longway to enhancing yourexperience. Theuse of telephotolensesis a mustwhenshooting wildlife. A telephotolens is the bestthingto haveto bringyou in as closeas possibleto the intended;targetwithout;scaringit away. By the same token,a tripod is not always a necessity. If you’re lucky enough to havean abundance of lightand havepracticed;enough in advance,you willbe able to takepictures at a fast shutter speed thereby eliminatingshakingof the camera. You can alsoinvestin a cameraequipped witha telephotolens thathas vibrationreduced technology, but keepin mind these are considerably moreexpensive to buy.
Make surewhenphotographing;animalsand/orbirds, you placethe sharpestfocus on theireyes. Makea habit of photographing;small animalsfroma lower angle.
The besttimes of the day for both viewing and photographing;wildlifeare early mornings or just beforedark;it is at thistime where the lightis the mostdramatic and animalsare mostactive.
Do yourbestto keepthe sun at yourback so as to ensurethe lightwillfall directly on the subject. Allof the above tipswillgo a longway to improving yourphotography;of nature. The key to it all is practice, practiceand morepractice. And, beyond anythingelse, enjoyyourself;! Tags: Adorama, aperture, basics of digital photography, camera, Canon, digital photography basics, exposure, ISO, Mark, nature photography basics, Nikon, photography, shutter, snapfactory, triangle, Wallace