Wildlife photography is a genre that I haven’t ventured much into, unless you count taking photos with my iPhone at the zoo and wild animal park. And before you discount that, I was *this close* to a lion who stared at me before spraying me and stomping off. Thankfully, there was a solid pane of glass between us.
Another photographer that didn’t have much experience photographing wild animals is photographer Jay P. Morgan of The Slanted Lens. He wanted to test out the Tamron 150-600mm so he called up his dad who used to be a National Geographic wildlife photographer. Jay P.’s dad gave him some tips which he shares with us in the video below.
[REWIND: TAMRON 150-600MM FINALLY ARRIVED, INITIAL THOUGHTS]
The 11 tips in a nutshell are as follows. You’ll have to watch the video or head over to The Slanted Lens to get details on each of these.
- Head to the National and State parks
- Use a tripod
- Telephoto lenses are a necessity
- Shoot early in the morning
- Take your time
- Extreme lighting can make great lighting conditions
- Capture social interactions between the animals
- Use the lost wallet technique
- Set your camera to continuous mode
- Shoot at a high shutter speed
- Have a backpack accessible with all your necessities in it
If you’re interested in dabbling in some wildlife photography or in the Tamron 150-600mm, Jay P. is even giving away one of the lenses to help you get started!
Watch 11 Tips to Photograph Wild Animals Without Getting Killed
For those experienced wildlife photographers out there, do you have any tips to add? Leave a comment below!
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Great Tips Jay P
Great Tips!
Nice!!!
Those are great tips for shooting, not so dangerous animals. I would like to stress learn about the animals you are about to go into the field with. Buffalo, as with most grazing animals are very near sighted. Meaning their sight is limited to a circle around the head of about 15-20 feet, within that circle they see quite well. Beyond that maybe a bit blurry eyed. Within that 15-20 ft circle, you may tempt fate, and the buffalo may see your as a threat, and charge. With any animal, watch what it is doing, should it suddenly stop doing it, and face you, you’re now the full attention of the animal. Like a bull laying in the field, chewing his cud, stops chewing, jumps to his feet, moves his body in line with you, repeatedly bows his head, and paws the ground, it means you’re to close, and he will charge you. Know the animal your looking for. Take the proper equipment, set up as far from the animal to not provoke it. Don’t throw stones at grizzly bears, you have their attention already, they’re just ignoring you, until the first stone.
Agreed! Jay P did show that clip of a buffalo charging after tourist; at least he didn’t photograph bears. I don’t remember which photography blog I read, but it was stupid people getting too close to bears.
Tip #12 – Clean your lens before taking the shot.
Great Tips!