The Essential Guide to Wildlife Photography

Going on safaris, game drives, or even camping can turn out to be more fun than expected. It is in those moments that one wishes they had carried their camera and for the ones who did, the flashing starts almost immediately. Taking pictures of those enjoyable times will help you remember them for years to come. So it is essential that you have the right equipment with you. Sometimes, you might be on a safari walk and you spot the most beautiful bird you have ever seen. You would want to show this to your friends when you get back. This means you must always be prepared so that when the right time comes, you will be in the right position to take those shots. Today, we’ll talk about how to prepare for wildlife photography expeditions. This guide will ensure success in every wildlife photography endeavor you go on.

A photo of an owl with its prey clearly depicts how captivating wildlife photography can be
Image by kuritafsheen77 on Freepik

Before You Pack Your Bags

Success in wildlife photography starts with the right preparation. You must pack the essentials first. Here’s what you need to capture those magical moments:

1. Essential Gear

    • A DSLR or mirrorless camera with good low-light performance.
    • Telephoto lens (at least 300mm for wildlife).
    • Wide-angle lens for landscapes and environmental shots.
    • Extra batteries and chargers.
    • Plenty of memory cards.
    • A sturdy camera bag with dust protection.
    • Lens cleaning kit

2. Nice-to-Have Equipment

    • Bean bag for vehicle stability.
    • Neutral density filters for harsh light.
    • Flash for night photography.
    • Laptop for backing up photos.

Camera Settings for Success

While every photographer has their own taste and way of taking photos, there are certain settings that, if set properly, can provide the standard results for the intended outcome. The right settings make the difference between a blurry shape and a stunning wildlife photograph:

1. For Moving Animals

    • Shutter speed: At least 1/1000 sec.
    • Aperture: f/5.6 to f/8 for good depth of field.
    • ISO: Auto with upper limit of 3200.
    • Drive mode: Continuous high.
    • Focus mode: AI Servo/Continuous AF.

2. For Static Subjects

    • Shutter speed: 1/250 sec minimum.
    • Aperture: f/4 to f/5.6 for subject isolation.
    • ISO: As low as possible while maintaining speed.
    • Focus mode: Single point AF.

Light is Everything

No matter your skill level, as a photographer, one thing you will always constantly hate is poor lighting. Even an amateur can notice when there is poor lighting. Poor lighting can result in several issues, including excessive shadows, blown-out highlights, lack of detail, blurry images due to needing a slower shutter speed, uneven exposure, and distorted colors. All of these combine to give you a generally unappealing or unclear final image, which makes it difficult to identify the subject of the photo clearly. Understanding light transforms wildlife photography and here are some tips to keep you on top of the game:

1. Golden Hours

The first and last hours of daylight offer:

    • Warm, dramatic lighting.
    • Better contrast.
    • More active wildlife.

2. Harsh Midday Sun

When the sun is high:

    • Look for animals in shade.
    • Focus on black and white photography.
    • Shoot close-ups and details.
    • Consider converting to monochrome later.

Composition Techniques That Work

Use all the knowledge you have gathered while learning about photography to achieve your desired results. You know your camera well and the kind of settings you use to achieve the best results. Strong wildlife photography relies on:

1. The Basics

    • Rule of thirds for balanced images.
    • Leave space for movement.
    • Include environment for context.
    • Get down to eye level when possible.

2. Advanced Techniques

    • Frame with natural elements.
    • Use leading lines in landscapes.
    • Create depth with layers.
    • Include reflections in water hole.

Animal-Specific Tips

Since there are no one-for-all settings and specifications, you might have to tweak your settings and hardware from time to time to get the desired outcome. More often, different subjects, in this case, animals, need different approaches:

1. Big Cats

    • Patient waiting yields results.
    • Focus on the eyes.
    • Be ready for sudden action.
    • Best photographed early morning and late afternoon.

2. Elephants

    • Frame with natural elements.
    • Use leading lines in landscapes.
    • Create depth with layers.
    • Include reflections in the water hole.

3. Birds

    • Faster shutter speeds (1/2000 sec+).
    • Catch them in flight.
    • Use burst mode.
    • Early morning for most activity.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Since you are already reading and learning here, there is no need for you to go into the field and make the same mistakes other photographers have made. Learn from others’ experiences. Here are some common mistakes made by photographers that you must try and avoid:

    • Don’t change lenses in dusty conditions. Always use lens wipes to clean out your lens. They are soft, do the work and won’t leave scratches on your lens.
    • Never delete in the field.
    • Don’t forget to check histograms.
    • Avoid shooting only at eye level.
    • Don’t ignore the background.

Vehicle Techniques

Safari and game drive guides are only humans. They might accidentally pass a beautiful scenery. They can also fail to spot a beautiful animal during the game drive. Since they are sometimes focused on driving, it is essential that you take matters into your own hands. They might not stop the vehicle so mastering how to shoot pictures from the safari van will come in handy. Here’s what you should know about shooting from a safari vehicle:

    • Use bean bags for stability.
    • Shoot between cage bars, not through them.
    • Position yourself for the best angle.
    • If all these are not convenient, you can simply ask the driver to stop the vehicle. You will get sharper images this way.

Making the Most of Your Time & Money

Safari guides and game drive drivers are always available to answer your questions and guide you in any topic, including photography. Maximizing every resource and photo opportunity available to you will get you ahead of the game. Maximize your photo opportunities and resources in the following ways:

1. Planning Your Day

    • Start early for best light.
    • Rest during the harsh midday sun. Doing photography work while being dehydrated under the hot sun is not fun at all.
    • Position for afternoon light.
    • Plan for sunset shots.

2. Working with Your Guide

Most experienced guides understand photographers’ needs and are always ready to help. They know the best angles and will guide you. They can assist you by positioning vehicles optimally so you can have the best angle, lighting, and are as near as possible to your subject. They understand how to anticipate animal behavior and will alert you whenever an animal is about to do something rare, like a red panda dancing. Safari guides are also very good at spotting photo opportunities so staying near them during safari walks will work in your favor.

Post-Processing Tips

Getting the shot is just the beginning. There are other factors to consider, standards to follow, checkups to perform, file organization to handle and manage, and much more. Here are some tips to get you going:

    • Shoot in RAW for more editing flexibility.
    • Back up your media files daily.
    • Make basic adjustments in the field.
    • Keep dust spots in mind.
    • Keep your media files organized. This includes labeling files well.

Photography-Focused Safaris

You can take your wildlife photography to the next level with dedicated photo safaris. Here are some things you might want to think about before you embark on a wildlife photography trip:

  • Go in small groups for maximum attention.
  • When hiring guides, ask for professional photographer guides.
  • Hold workshop sessions between drives to catch up and discuss strategies.
  • Choose the best locations. The best in this case would be one with the most wildlife.

Ready for That Wildlife Photography Trip?

Now look at you. You feel like an expert already, don’t you? Well, why don’t you put those new wildlife photography techniques into practice on your next adventure? Contact Nisena Safaris to plan your photography-focused safari. Our team will help you create the perfect itinerary for capturing unforgettable wildlife moments. Whether you’re a solo photographer or would like to have some friends tag along, we have your back when it comes to planning. Go on that photography safari today and prepare to capture images that will last a lifetime.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top