Wildlife photography has been continuously growing in popularity ever since DSLRs became widely accessible.  As more and more people get captivated by the art of photography, some enthusiasts venture into the genre of wildlife.

Wildlife photographers do not only capture the magic of Mother Nature, but they also encourage people to see how the world is an inspiring and beautiful place to live in.

Here are some of the pro shooter’s wildlife photography techniques from traveltweaks.com that you need to know for your next wildlife travel:

Shoot at Eye-level

If you’re standing and shooting the subject on the ground, the angle of view is pointing downwards. As a result, the perspective will look strange because it detracts from the photo. Not to mention, it results in a shorter distance between the background and the subject, losing that soft, nice ‘bokeh effect’ of your background.

A technique most pros use it so to capture photos at eye-level with the subject. It increases the distance between the subject and the background. Thus, it removes other distracting elements and creates a more interesting perspective.

Learn About Your Subject

Another helpful trick is knowing more about the animal you are taking a photo of. If you’re familiar with the animal’s particular behavioral traits, you can predict its movements. It allows you to focus on its specific actions that you want to capture on camera.

You can learn about the animal’s background by reading information about it online or in textbooks. Moreover, you can also opt to watch short videos about how it moves, behaves and acts.

There will be times of the year wherein animals can get a little bit territorial. Male stags, for instance, fight during the rutting season, usually around October. Knowing this particular information beforehand can be helpful, as there will be an increased chance that you’ll likely capture it on camera.

Use Your Lens Hood

A lot of people don’t use their lens hoods, but it really does help. It functions to prevent annoying lens flares, especially when you’re shooting towards the sun. Moreover, it eliminates stray lights coming from the sides, thus, improving the overall clarity and contrast of the photo. In fact, a lens hood is particularly helpful in all types of photography.

Experiment with Light

Another technique that you need to take advantage of if you want to create something unique is learning to experiment with light.

Backlighting is when the sun is positioned behind the subject shooting towards it. As a result, it gives off a somewhat magical effect to the entire photograph. If the sun lies low on the horizon, you can opt to underexpose the photo giving a golden outline of your subject.

Side-lighting, on the other hand, is different. Since the light source is coming from the sides, it can create different shadows and contours.

Use the Background to Your Advantage

The background of a photo brings together the entire scene. Ideally, you want your background to be soft and a little bit out of focus so that it isolates the subject from the rest of its surroundings.

There are several instances, however, that this rule can be broken. For example, you want to have a second animal blurred out yet can still be distinguished in the background. You can do this technique by finding creatures that usually move in groups. Then, properly position your lens to line up with your two subjects together. Doing so creates depth and a stunning 3-dimensional effect to the photo.

Be there and enjoy the present

Sometimes, it’s easy to be caught up in all the technicalities when you’re so focused to get the ‘perfect’ shot. If you don’t take in what you are witnessing when you’re out in the wild, it may hinder you from living in the present moment and enjoying what is there right in from of you. As a result, you lose the very nature of what you are doing.

Taking photographs is more than what meets the eye. It’s about seeing something and capturing the moment on camera. More than anything else, it’s about immersing yourself in the entire experience. So, be mindful of the privilege that you have with nature and be thankful for it.

Keep on learning something new

One of the best life lessons out there is to never stop learning. Nowadays, it’s easy for you to take on remote classes and online courses that will help you improve your craft.

Whether you’re an amateur or a professional, you should never limit yourself in acquiring new skills and techniques. If you love to improve your wildlife photography skills, check out this awesome online photography course offered by an online photography school in New Zealand.

To wrap it up

Wildlife photography can be beautiful and interesting at the same time. By following these helpful wildlife photography techniques, you’ll be able to achieve the results you want.