(Image Courtesy: Shaaz Jung)

Animal photography can be a challenging endeavor to master. Having access to cutting-edge equipment and editing tools may not be enough to take stunning stills and videos of animals. It takes a lot of commitment and patience to get that desired shot that captures the true essence of the moment. Though animals are unpredictable and you have to take your time to get the perfect angle and that perfect shot, there are many tricks and skills that can help you in your journey towards excellence. You can find many such tips and advice at avenues such as Nikon Photography workshops. To help you get started, we present some handy tips and tricks for animal photography.

Know Your Gear

It may sound like cliche but it is important that you know the true abilities of your equipment. There is a very slim window of time to capture wildlife moments, and if you are not familiar with the finer aspects of your camera and other equipment, you may either miss the opportunity to capture the moment or end up taking a compromised shot. Be sure to know all that you need to know about basics, such as shutter speed, ISO settings, aperture settings, shooting modes, focal length, and other similar aspects of camera handling.

Understand Your Subject

Wildlife photography calls for capturing fleeting moments and there should come a time when you are able to predict the behaviour of the animals you capture in your lens. Though it is not possible to predict every movement of the subject, over a period of time, you will notice there are certain patterns that are ingrained into every animal species. Understanding your subject helps you to be prepared to capture the golden moment. There is only one way to understand wildlife and that is spending time with them.

Using Natural Light

While setting up artificial lighting may not even be possible in case of outdoor shoots, even when shooting indoors, a setup will call for a notable investment. Natural lighting is not only free, but can match and even supersede the results achievable with an artificial lighting setup. With natural light, you only need your camera and your subject, and you are all set. Another benefit of using natural light is that it does not leave any unnecessary heat signatures that may affect the shot. To get the best from natural light, shoot at the hours of golden light; the time right after sunrise and right before sunset.

Character and Habitat

Animal photography is more than just capturing animals at their most amazing moments; it is also about giving the complete picture to your audiences. While it is important to show the personalities of animals, it is also important to show their environments, as their habitats tell a lot about them. While you are free to use a telephoto lens when you want to get up and close with your subject, it is always a good idea to take a step back and use wide angle lenses to give your viewers an idea of the habitats of the animals.

Final Words

Animal photography can be a tricky affair that may call for some serious hours on your part, as you not only need to learn about photography but also about animals and their behaviours. It is, therefore, advisable to connect with experienced animal photographers and exchange tips and tricks to help you in the journey. That is exactly what you can expect from our online workshops. Besides getting a platform to exchange knowledge with fellow lensmen, at Capture With Nikon, you also get to enroll in a number of online workshops conducted by seasoned professialson from the Nikon Community, offering expert advice and guidance on various aspects of photography and videography.