Wildlife Photography How To

Iconic photojournalist Robert Capa once said, “If your images are not good enough, you’re not close enough.” That’s why many of us try to shoot as close as possible to our subjects and fill the frame.

A couple week’s ago we featured a tutorial for experienced bird photographers, with a variety of tips and mistakes to avoid for achieving optimum results. Today’s episode is for those just getting started, with a complete beginner’s guide to joining in on the fun.

Let’s face it: photographing birds can be challenging, especially when your subjects are in flight. But even birds resting on a tree limb are often fidgety, and their erratic movements require special techniques.

Let’s face it: Image noise is your enemy, and these grainy artifacts can destroy an otherwise great shot. Noise occurs when using certain camera settings, especially when shooting in low light with high ISO settings.

It’s can be challenging to achieve perfectly exposed photos when shooting outdoors under difficult lighting conditions with a broad range of tones from highlights to shadows. While it’s often possible to rehabilitate poorly exposed images during the editing process, wouldn’t you rather get it right in the camera?

Capturing tack-sharp images of birds in flight can be a real challenge, even for professional photographers. Regardless of your skill level, we’re going to help you up your game with some great advice from two experts.

Let’s face it: Not all of us have the time or means to go on safari to photograph exotic animals in their natural habitat. The next best option is a trip to the local zoo with a long lens, and that can be a load of fun.