Wild Life Teaching Notes

What is the best Camera?

There is no right answer to this as the best camera is the one you have with you at the time. That being said the better the kit the more likely you are increase your ability to capture better images. Therefore to place the choice of cameras in order of preference I would suggest.

This doesn’t mean that you will not be able to take great photos using a compact or even a camera-phone. Look at Facebook, Flickr or Instagram for great examples of wildlife taken using lower quality optical kit.

Better kit only increases your distance you can shoot at and doesn’t mean that your photographs will turn out any better.

Fill the Frame

To make the most of your image and to get the subject in sharp focus you should aim to fill as much of the available frame with the subject.

Easier said than done in some instances.

As you can see I have divided the image into a 14x7 square

Using a 10 MP camera gives me a 10m pixels but as you can see from the above example the bunny only occupies 1 square about 1/100 of the frame.

This example shows how the image degrades as you try to zoom in to the bunny.

Circle of Alertness

Every animal has a circle of Alertness that if you enter the animal’s fight or flight instincts will kick in.

The secret is to understand how big this circle is for your subject. This can only come with practice that gives you knowledge.

Get close to your subject

So now we understand that we need to get close to our subject to allow us to fill the frame as much as possible.

So how can we achieve this?

As with the choice of camera I would rate the camera options as follows.

Focal Length

So let’s look at how focal length has a bearing on how much subject we can show within a single frame.

The Basics - Part 1

So we now know that we have to get close to the subject for the image to work.

But what about the other settings.

Some of your cameras may not have all of the settings available to you so you will need to work out what setting you do have and how best to utilise them.

Remember that light is king

Light is King - Without it there would be no image.

So learn about light and the effect it has on your images. Look at different times of the day and how the light quality and strength changes.

Remember that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west and during sun-up and sunset the shadows are longest.

At mid-day the sun will be directly overhead and can flatten shadows away.

You should be able to compensate for harsh or poor light using your cameras settings or by using other tools such as flash or filters.

Practice makes perfect

Do not expect to go out point your camera at a subject and take a fantastic image straight away. If you do great but most of us have to practice getting that one in a million shot.

Practice not only improves your eye, knowledge and skill it also builds mussel memory. The ability for your hands etc., to do something without you concentrating on what it is they are doing. A bit like opening a door, riding a bike etc.

Common Issues

So after we have been out and taken some shots we come to review them at the computer or in camera and notice that the image isn’t as we would expect.

Here are some common issues.

Wrong settings – always take a test shot and review the image. Using the histogram or overexposure screens (if your camera has these functions).

Subject to distance – get closer using one of the methods discussed earlier.

Subject out of focus – Focus on the subjects eyes of the eye nearest to you. Check your focus pattern and method set in camera.

Camera Shake – hold the camera steady, increase speed, increase ISO etc. Or use a monopod, tripod beanbag wall etc.

Motion blur increase shutter speed or increase the amount of light hitting the sensor.

Be patient!

As you start on your endeavour to photograph wildlife you will need to ensure that you have your kit ready and you know how to use it.

You must also have the most important item in a wildlife photographers arsenal…..Patience without this you will not do your images any justice.

Consider Composition

When shooting wildlife (in the photography sense that is) by all means take a record shot but then if you have the time and the luxury of a unencumbered path move around the subject and look for interesting angles.

Composition Rules

Do not forget the other compositional techniques that you have been taught previously as these can also improve you images.

Know Your Subject

Lastly to help you find, approach and photograph your subject do some homework. Find out about its habitat and how it interacts with it. Find out where the best locations are to find it. What it eats etc. Use, books, the internet, TV etc.

All of this knowledge can only help improve your chances of finding and getting close to your subject.