| If you love taking pictures of animals then this article | | | | speed priority to around 1/250 to freeze movements. |
| will be sure to give you some practical tips that you | | | | 5. Use Light and Weather to Best Effect: Overcast |
| can immediately start using. Animal photography, also | | | | days are often best for animal photography. If the |
| called wildlife photography, encompasses the entire | | | | overcast isn't too bright, it will prevent glare from |
| world of animals from your pets to polar bears. This | | | | light colored or watery backgrounds. If the overcast |
| article focuses on photographing wildlife, but you can | | | | is too dark and you have an SLR, raise the ISO. With |
| apply many of these tips to photographing Muffin or | | | | the right amount of overcast, you can get well |
| Fido. To learn how nature photographers get those | | | | exposed, sharp pictures with your compact, and the |
| fantastic images of wildlife, read on... | | | | animals won't be squinting. Since the eyes are usually |
| The photography basics for taking great pictures of | | | | very expressive and the best place to focus, you |
| wildlife begin with these tips. As always there are | | | | really want to avoid squinting. Another way to |
| exceptions, but the following go a long ways | | | | eliminate this is photograph when the animal's back is |
| towards ensuring successful animal photography:o | | | | to sun. In this case you will need to use fill flash (turn |
| Use natural lighting to your advantage.o Fill the frame | | | | off automatic flash and set to "On") to prevent |
| with the subject.o Focus on the eyes.o Shoot from | | | | underexposure or a silhouette, and you will need to |
| various angles.o Capture personality. | | | | use a lens hood or wear a broad brimmed hat to |
| Perhaps you are wondering how you can, without a | | | | prevent lens flare. |
| humongous lens and SLR safely get close enough to | | | | 6. Try this When Shooting through Glass: When you |
| a wild animal to "capture personality" or "fill the | | | | want a picture of a terrarium or aquarium critter, turn |
| frame"? | | | | on the flash and shoot from an angle. Be sure to |
| Actually even professional wildlife photographers don't | | | | check your manual for the safe distance when using |
| always take their winning photographs in the wild. | | | | flash to photograph living beings without damaging |
| Most of the wonderful pictures you see of wolves, | | | | eyes. Or turn off flash and gently press your lens |
| polar bears and other wild creatures were taken at | | | | right up against the glass. |
| wildlife sanctuaries and zoos. Cheating? Maybe, but it's | | | | 7. Plan your Visits for the Best Photo Ops: Others will |
| safer for the photographer and doesn't disturb their | | | | especially love seeing your animal photography when |
| free roaming cousins' mating and feeding cycles. | | | | it includes baby animals. Often sanctuaries and zoos |
| Some of the wildlife sanctuaries offer special tours | | | | post on their websites when new babies are arriving, |
| for photographers, but even without the advantages | | | | or you can call and check. Another good photo op is |
| these tours offer (often being allowed to get closer | | | | feeding time. Animals that stay in hiding throughout |
| shots and without all the people), there are many | | | | much of the day will come out to eat. Finally, if |
| things the hobbyist with a compact can do to take | | | | you're visiting a sanctuary or zoo when the weather's |
| professional looking photographs of wildlife. | | | | hot, go early in the day when the animals will be |
| Animal Photography Tips for Wildlife Sanctuaries and | | | | most active, not napping. |
| Zoos | | | | 8. Use Context: While usually it's best to fill the frame |
| | | | with the animal, sometimes the context is too |
| 1. Simplify the Composition: If the background is | | | | interesting to bypass. Examples of using context: a |
| distracting, use a wide aperture or Portrait mode to | | | | child and baby animal looking at each other, a giraffe, |
| blur it. Or use a photo editor like Photoshop to clean | | | | long neck bent as it peers down at a car in front of |
| up or blur the background. | | | | yours at the drive-through safari park. |
| 2. Go Natural: Avoid showing cage bars, fences, | | | | 9. Capture Expressions: Animals, whether our pets or |
| humans, signs, etc. If it is safe and not against the | | | | wildlife, make the cutest expressions. Be ready with |
| rules to do so, point the lens through a gap in the | | | | your camera! Even just normal expressions like a wolf |
| chain link, so you can take the photo without the | | | | pup yawning or a tiger licking its lips are cute or |
| fence showing. Sometimes there will be a vantage | | | | interesting. The more you learn about you favorite |
| point that allows you to shoot over the top of the | | | | species, the better able you will be to be ready for |
| fence. Look for these opportunities. Again, use a | | | | their fun shots. |
| good photo editor to blur what you couldn't eliminate | | | | So, the next time you're ready to take some wildlife |
| while shooting the photo. | | | | pictures, use these animal photo tips and you'll be |
| 3. Fill the Frame: Use zoom (optical for best quality) | | | | amazed at the difference applying this tips can have |
| or a telephoto lens to get close up. | | | | on your photos. |
| 4. Use Sports Mode: Use sports mode or set shutter | | | | |