Basics of wildlife photography & tips
Wildlife photography is a relaxing & rewarding hobby and is my go-to activity during holidays. A camera is not required if you own binoculars to observe animals with, you don’t always need to photograph them.
You may think that it is quite a hard hobby to get into and be familiar with, but it is actually easier than you think, it’s only the first step that is hard
In this last section of my guide, I’ll go over some of the basics and tips of wildlife photography. Thank you for reading!
Basics of wildlife photography
No matter where you are in the world, urban or rural, you can do wildlife photography. There are just some equipment that you need and some things you should have in mind before you set off
A camera is recommended but not required. Cameras and lenses for wildlife photography cost a fortune and you really need to understand the art before you can make an informed decision on which setup to buy. This is why I would recommend amateurs to start with watching YouTube videos to be familiarised with wildlife photography and then buy a pair of binoculars to familiarise oneself with the activity before investing in a camera.
If you are to use a camera for wildlife observation, make sure you get a pair of lenses with at least 300-500mm zoom for effective photography. I recommend Nikon’s line of Coolpix cameras, as they have crazy zoom while only costing very little compared to the competition on the market. The model that I am using right now — Nikon’s Coolpix p950 has 2000mm of optical zoom which is crazy for its price. The Coolpix p1000 has an even longer zoom of 3000mm, their compact size also makes them even more appealing. But please do your own research before making the purchase, as you’ll probably have to stick with it for a while before you can change again.
Well-being of nature and the wildlife itself should be your first priority. Never go out of your way for a photo, causing distress to the animal. Wildlife photography is only made possible with mutual respect, and this is one of the rules I set for myself while in the field.
Keeping a good record of species that you have identified is a habit every birder/wildlife photographer should have. No matter with a pen or a Google Drive with photos, keep a record of the species you find
Wildlife photography tips
It took me a long time to get slightly better at wildlife photography, and it is certainly not an easy hobby to master. Here are some lessons I’ve learnt throughout my first year as a wildlife photographer:
Invest in a camera backpack if you plan on doing wildlife photography, it is the most convenient thing you can own. Helps you out a lot, avoiding the need to use suitcases for all your cameras and lenses.
Wear light-coloured clothing to a birding trip, but nothing with sharp colours as that will make it easier to get the attention of the wildlife and probably scare it off.
Approach wildlife very very slowly if you’re trying to get a closer photograph, or else it is likely that it will fly off/dart off
When approaching wildlife, try not to stare into its eyes. I’ve learned this from an older birder but birds detect danger by seeing if their predator has their eyes locked onto them. If you are staring directly at the bird’s eyes, it probably thinks you mean danger and fly off.
Get a good night’s rest before a trip, you’re going to need it. Wildlife photography is tiring.
Definitely put on mosquito repellent, the places you will be visiting are most likely infested with mosquitoes. You may also wear long-sleeved clothing to prevent mosquito bites.
Find online blogs (like this one) from an experienced local birder to do research on the local birding activity.
Try joining a community of wildlife photographers (Facebook/Instagram/WhatsApp groups), as information on various wildlife is likely to be passed around there.
Wildlife is most active in the morning, never at noon or early afternoon. You are recommended to wake up early for wildlife photography trips.
Be aware of your surroundings while you’re having your head burrowed in the viewfinder of your camera.
There will always be slow days for wildlife photography, consistency and an optimistic view is key to success.
