Wildlife Photography

Wildlife Photography

Left Image: Minolta Maxxum 9, 300mm f-2.8 APO lens, 1.4X converter, Fuji Velvia 50, shot from inside the car with rice bag for support. Spot meter (face) and opening up 1/2 stop, approx. 1/125 sec and f-4. Aperture priority and manual focus.

To take good wildlife photographs you have to be a good naturalist. Understanding the behavior of the animals can help getting the pictures you want. Patience and quick reflexes are also very important. Expect to spend many hours waiting for the right moment as I have in the same spot, and many times it was disappointing. Be ready at all times and look for interesting movements or expressions.

Always focus on an animal's eyes as eyes can draw viewer's attention to the photograph. Move slowly and don't make any sudden movements as this may scare away an animal. Keep a safe distance and learn how close each animal allows you to get. In low light conditions fast lenses and fast films are needed.

A long telephoto lens is required as most of the time you will be shooting from a distance. 300mm and 400mm lenses should cover larger animals. Longer 500mm and 600mm lenses are useful for smaller birds or when it is difficult to get closer.

Try to show the animal in its natural surroundings by using a shorter lens and switch to a telephoto for getting closer shots. A second camera body with a different focal length lens can help getting a good shot without having to pause and change lenses. Use a sturdy tripod at all times. It is very difficult to get sharp images with telephoto lenses when hand holding a camera. When shooting from your car a window mount or a bean bag should be used to support the camera and the lens.

You must calculate exposure quickly specially in changing light and fast action photography. Spot meters are great for taking a reading of the most important part of your subject. Meter your subject and adjust exposure by opening up or stopping down depending on your subject's tonality. ( See Exposure for more information). Motor drives allow you to concentrate on your subject without having to advance film manually and risk missing a good shot. For fast action photography set your motor drive to medium or high setting for continuous shooting but use these settings only when needed as you might waste film. Carry extra film with some faster ISO's for low light situations or if you shoot digital change ISO to faster speeds as needed.

Right Image: Canon EOS D30, Tokina 300mm f-4 ATX PRO, 1/250 sec at f-4, Bogen tripod and ballhead

There are many places where you can photograph wildlife. National Parks and State Parks are among the best places. Get to know the area and the type of wildlife before you go. When you start photographing do not interfere with animals activities as this can put stress on them specially if they are caring for their young. Remember no photograph is worth jeopardizing your own safety or the safety of your subject.

The Master Guide for Wildlife Photographers

Detailing the knowledge required to obtain professional-quality wildlife photographs, this book outlines techniques usually reserved for hunters to get close to animals to produce intimate portraits of wildlife. Photographers learn the keys to success, metering for perfect exposures, and how to compose the perfect picture. The basic elements of wildlife photography are covered, including photographic equipment and information on the various species and their habits. Many wildlife photographs are critiqued, providing budding wildlife photographers with suggestions for improving their own images.

Recommended Equipment

Tamron SP AF 200-500mm/F5-6.3 Di LD (IF)

This is a new zoom lens from Tamron that lets you bring your far away subjects up close while compressing the distance between the main subject and the background for professional-looking results. Even while covering up to a 500mm that enables you to take ultra telephoto shots of subjects further than the eye can see, its design is extremely lightweight and compact. When mounted on an APS-C size digital SLR camera, it provides a focal length equivalent to a 760mm for super ultra telephoto imaging.

For Canon

For Nikon

Other Lenses

For Canon

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Telephoto Zoom

The first EF lens with a zoom range from 100mm to 400mm, the EF 100-400mm f/4.5- 5.6L IS USM lens offers high resolution, superb contrast, neutral color balance, and Canon's original built-in Image Stabilizer function. Fluorite and Super UD glass completely eliminate secondary spectrum for superb color rendition. Auto-focusing is fast and silent with Canon's Ultra-Sonic Motor, and AF speed is further enhanced through an advanced, lightweight rear focusing design that incorporates a floating element for consistent image quality at all focusing distances from 5.9 ft. to infinity. This lens is also equipped with a dual-mode Image Stabilizer suitable for panning as well as stationary subjects. With full-time manual focus, one-touch zooming with a wide grip, and a special ring that permits adjustment of zooming friction, this is a lens that's extremely easy to use, and ideal for a wide variety of applications including nature, wildlife, sports, and documentary photography.

For Nikon

Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED Autofocus VR Zoom Nikkor Lens

Nikon's new 80-400mm high-power zoom lens features an innovative Vibration Reduction (VR) system that allows handheld super-telephoto shooting at dusk, at night and even in poorly lit rooms. The Lens' VR system minimizes image blur caused by camera shake, and offers the equivalent of shooting at a shutter speed three stops (eight times) faster*. The lens offers a natural viewfinder image even during VR operation and also detects automatically when the photographer pans. This exciting new Nikkor is ideal for candid portrait, sports photography and more.* Nikon Results based on Nikon's internal performance tests. Note: VR Operation works with the F5, F100, N80, N65 and D1.High-performance, high-power 5X (80-400mm) AF zoom lens with Vibration Reduction (VR) system Vibration Reduction (VR) minimizes image blur caused by camera shake. Two VR modes available: 1) Vibration Reduction for both the viewfinder image and the image on film. Moderate VR operation is executed to ensure viewing comfort for the viewfinder image. 2) VR for the image on the film only (conserves battery power). VR operation can be canceled when not needed. New optical design incorporates three ED glass elements for superior optical performance throughout the entire zoom range Rounded diaphragm opening (9 blades) is especially good for close-ups and portraits High-performance Nikon Super Integrated Coating offers superior color reproduction and minimizes ghost and flare.