by Charlotte Bellamy

Created on: October 18, 2008   Last Updated: October 28, 2008

Whether you are you looking to take a picture of your back yard bird feeder, or are you off on a safari vacation, the fundamental tips for wildlife photography remain the same.

Obtaining great wildlife photographs requires patience and a little luck. A great tip for wildlife photography is to have your camera turned on and ready to go. Seconds can be wasted if your camera needs to be turned on, lens cap removed and mode chosen when your subject makes an appearance.

Being in the right place at the right time to catch wildlife requires a little planning. Knowing the habits of your subject will allow you to ascertain where and when an appearance is likely to happen.

The event of digital photography has improved many aspects of picture taking; however, it has compromised the speed at which your camera reacts when you press the shutter release button. With the lag of time that digital cameras take, you need to anticipate and almost take the picture before you see it. Try to predict what your subject will do or where they will go.

Whilst some animals and bird are in no hurry to move, the majority are not. To capture a picture without blur set your camera to the optimum mode or shutter speed. For point and shoot cameras utilise the sports mode for the clearest shots. With a Single Lens Reflex (SLR) camera consider using the fastest possible shutter speed obtainable under the conditions you are working.

If your camera has the ability to alter aperture or depth of field you may wish to consider the type of wildlife photo you want. This can affect whether your wildlife takes centre stage or remains part of the scene.

The greater the zoom capabilities of your camera, the greater your wildlife photograph opportunities. Need a new camera? Purchase the greatest optical zoom capability possible. Digital zoom is important, but relying on this function can cause distortion to your pictures.

One photography tip easily forgotten is to make sure your batteries are charged and that you have film or a memory card in your camera; without these, any amount of other tips will not help you.

Great pictures of wildlife are within reach of anyone with a camera. Follow these suggested tips for wildlife photography, and with a little practice you will be rewarded.

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