Wildlife Photography Tutorial

Wildlife photography is an exciting adventure that lets you explore the wonders of the natural world through the lens of a camera. If you’ve ever seen a majestic bird of prey in flight or a mob of kangaroos bouncing over a distant hill and wished you could capture that moment and add it to your photo wall, we can help you make that dream a reality.

 You can make money taking pictures of wildlife, but that's not why we do it. This blog is all about the pure joy of discovery, and the thrill of the hunt - for the perfect shot, of course! We’ll explain why wildlife photography is the best way to connect with the amazing creatures that share our planet and why wildlife photography for kids is an awesome way to help them catch the photography bug. So grab your camera, get ready to explore, and let's embark on a photographic journey into the wild!

• How do you take pictures of wildlife?
• What equipment do you need to photograph wildlife?
• What are the best settings for wildlife photography?
• Bonus Wildlife Photography tips

Wildlife photography is a challenging job that requires patience and respect for the animals. A wildlife photographer's goal is to capture stunning images of creatures in their natural habitat, without disturbing them. The key lies in waiting for the perfect moment. This could involve setting up a blind well in advance, staying perfectly still for long periods, and using proper equipment to achieve the desired shot. We are about to delve deeper into the specific gear needed and what settings you should master, but for now, let this sink in - patience is the name of the game.

So, what is the best camera to photograph wildlife? You can use your phone for wildlife photography but compared to using a dedicated digital camera, this avenue has tremendous limitations. Not only does the image quality not match what you can achieve with a mirrorless camera, for example,  but you need to be afforded the same level of control. Perhaps more importantly, Mirrorless and DSLR cameras are compatible with the high-quality lenses and accessories that are required for the best wildlife photography results. 

A common debate among modern wildlife photographers is Mirrorless vs DSLR cameras. While both options provide similar image quality and versatility in terms of settings and accessory and lens choice, Mirrorless cameras have the bonus of being much lighter and more portable than their DSLR counterparts. As we stated earlier, wildlife photography involves long periods of waiting for the perfect moment, so you will appreciate the opportunity to use less bulky gear. Wildlife photography is an outdoor adventure, and as we all know, weather can be unpredictable - for this reason, you should consider investing in weather-sealed mirrorless gear to keep you working in all conditions.

When deciding what lens for wildlife photography, telephoto options are overwhelming favourites, with zoom lenses being the safest choice. Telephoto zoom lenses boast a much longer focal length, allowing you to capture distant animals in stunning detail. Imagine filling your frame with a majestic eagle soaring overhead or a curious fox peeking out from its den. These feats are only achievable with a powerful wildlife photography zoom lens at your side. Choosing the right wildlife photography zoom lens can be overwhelming. Factors you should consider are focal length range, maximum aperture, and image stabilisation, as they all play crucial roles in the success of your wildlife photography. Find an option that ticks all of these boxes and fits in your budget, and you have a winner.

The right camera and lens combo is the most important factor, but there are also some other equipment that a keen wildlife photographer always has at their side. Here’s a list:

• Monopod/Tripod: Reduce camera shake for sharp, blur-free photos.
• Spare Batteries: Never miss a shot due to running out of power.
• Spare Memory Cards: Take as many photos as necessary until you have the perfect shot.
• Rain Cover: Weather can change without warning. Be prepared and keep working through the rain.
• Backpack: Keep your gear safe, secure and in one place.
• Appropriate footwear and clothing: This one isn't related to photography but it's seriously important. Protect yourself from the elements by wearing outdoor-friendly clothing and shoes. Don't forget to pack spare socks in your camera bag too!

While wildlife photography for beginners might seem tempting to tackle on auto mode, venturing into manual settings unlocks the true potential for capturing those breathtaking wildlife moments. By understanding the exposure triangle – the relationship between aperture, shutter speed, and ISO – you gain creative control over how your camera captures light. This allows you to fine-tune your settings for specific situations. 

Here are some wildlife photography settings FAQs:

• What shutter speed should I use for wildlife? Use a fast shutter speed to catch wildlife in action before they move on and the moment is lost forever. This will depend on the type of animal and what they are doing, but a good place to start is around 1/500th of a second.

• What is the best aperture for bird and wildlife photography? You want your subject to stand out from your background, which helps by producing a shallow depth of field - this means the background is blurred. This can be achieved by using a fast or wide-open aperture, of around f2.8-f4 depending on your lens. Don’t go too fast though, as you risk not enough of your animal being in focus, and that means a blurry image.
• What ISO should I use? This one depends on the lighting conditions, and how this is affecting your ability to set your aperture and shutter speed as you require.

So you have your camera gear ready and your manual camera settings dialled in, but need guidance on how to start wildlife photography? Here are some key tips to get you capturing stunning wildlife images:

• Research your subject. Know their habits, such as how they move and behave - then you'll know when an interesting shot is coming.
• Find wildlife nearby. Parks, refuges, or even your backyard - interesting wildlife can be found anywhere.
• Consider zoos. It's not quite the same as framing a Lion out in the wild, but your local Zoo is a surefire way to home your craft.
• Embrace patience. Wait for the perfect moment and you will have success. Once you overcome all frustration and start to enjoy the experience of searching, you are sure to improve.
• Consider your composition. Research and understand techniques, such as the rule of thirds to frame your subject.
• Focus on the eyes. Sharp eyes make great portraits. This goes for both human and animal models.

• Be mindful of wildlife. Respect their well-being and take care of their habitat. You want to capture your subjects in their environment while leaving as little of a footprint as possible.

With our collection of gear recommendations and tips, you will quickly transition from absolute beginner to being ready to enter the next wildlife photography competition that you see. Make sure you stop by our photography blog regularly as you continue to improve your skills, no matter what type of photography you love.