Wildlife photographers
should prepare for all weather conditions.
Wildlife photographers capture seldom seen moments in nature. Taking good wildlife photos involves a great deal of patience as it may take hours or even days for the right moment to happen. Putting yourself into position comes with a fair share of hazards. Safety can be a concern for wildlife photographers, especially when shooting in areas with large or potentially dangerous animals.
Instructions
1. Get the gear ready. Test all the equipment before embarking on a photography expedition into nature. Once out in the wilderness, troubleshooting gear can be difficult. Pack plenty of supplies, snacks, water and layers of clothing. Depending how deep into nature the photographer is going, additional camping supplies may be necessary. Wildlife photographers must have a telephoto lens to keep a safe distance from their subjects. Those going into more dangerous areas (such as the African Savannah) may want to bring a gun for protection.
2. Talk to local guides and wildlife experts. People who know the wilderness will know where certain species of animals congregate and where to get the best pictures. Plan the location with a guide as they may have valuable information about the area.
3. Tell others where you are going and for how long you will be going. In case something happens others should know where to look for you. Bring a cell phone and GPS unit.
4. Select a location that has a good vantage point of the area where animals are likely to be. The area should have clear views. Ready the camera so that if the right shot happens you can capture it. This step is so important as it may take days for a similar shot to occur.
5. Prepare a blind. A blind is a small hut that is used by hunters and wildlife photographers to blend into their environment. The blind conceals the photographer so that animals can come closer and feel safe.
6. Make use of natural light. Start the day very early; you should be in the wilderness just as the sun is coming up and leave just before it gets dark. This will maximize the amount of daylight the photographer can use.
7. Use scents and bait to attract animals. If the photographer is looking for specific animals then they should use bait (food that animal enjoys) and scents to attract the animal. Be careful as the scent of one animal may attract its predators.
8. Use different lens. A good wildlife photographer will have several different types of lenses; specifically telephoto lenses. This allows the photographer to capture shots at varying distances with great accuracy.
9. Learn about the animals. Knowing more about the subjects being photographed will not only help the photographer locate the animals but also where and when to look for them. This information can help the photographer try to stage certain shots. For example, going to a stream where salmon spawn in the spring is a great place to photograph bears hunting.
Tags: Wildlife photographers, good wildlife, help photographer, into nature, know where
