The purchase of a long lens does not guarantee better wildlife shots. As a matter of fact, if a photographer simply purchases a long lens but continues using bad practices, the only guarantee is that his or her bad pictures will be more magnified. Learn the  principles of good wildlife photography and practice with species that allow a closer approach. Let it evolve to see if the wildlife photography bug bites you. If it does and you feel the need to get a super telephoto, then go for it. Until then, apply some of the following principles to your wildlife shooting to get to the next level.

Be Cognizant Of The Background: When I run my nature photo tours or teach a workshop, I constantly tell my participants to be aware of what’s going on in the background. I’m often heard saying, “The background is equally as important as the subject.”  A fantastic subject against a distracting background nets a confusing image. Take that same subject and put it against a background that has no distractions and it’s a winning shot. Wait for the subject to move to an area where the background is neutral. Wait for the subject to move against a dark background. Patience is an essential ingredient in the recipe to get good wildlife shots. Raise the tripod to a higher angle or lower it to the ground to improve the background. Often a few steps to the right or left make all the difference in the world. When a good subject lines up with a good background, fire away. If it doesn’t happen but you insist on pressing the shutter, study the results. Based on the outcome, you’ll learn that as badly as you want the shot to turn out well, the bad background will prevent it from staying in the keeper folder.

©Russ Burden

Avoid Mergers: Mergers come in many forms. If the subject touches the side of the frame and part of it is cut off, it’s an edge merger. If very bright or very dark spots in the background pull the eye away from the subject, it’s a tone merger. If multiple subjects appear in the frame and they overlap each other in an awkward way, it’s a subject merger. In the two images of the wood duck family, the first photo has many subject mergers. In that I was patient and waited for the subjects to separate, the merger was avoided. Will patience always prevent mergers? Not by any means. I can’t tell you how many times I waited for subjects to get in the proper alignment and it never materialized. But for the times it paid off, it washed away the lonely hours of waiting. The fewer the number of subjects the better the odds of things falling into place so start with twos and threes and work your way up the ladder. 

©Russ Burden

The Importance of a Good Head Angle: It’s very easy to get caught up in the excitement of photographing a wild animal. Just seeing one through the lens prompts many photographers to lay on the motor drive. To save you editing time in front of the computer, be aware that once an animal flies, walks, or runs past you, stop pressing the shutter or else all you’ll get is butt shots. I tell people that once the subject is past perpendicular to the lens, take your finger off the shutter. A related concept is before it reaches the point of being perpendicular, be very aware of the head angle. If the animal’s head faces away or towards what would be the back of the frame, it loses it’s connection with the photographer and makes it a bad time to press the shutter. On the other hand, if the head angle is ninety degrees or less from the front of the lens, press the shutter. Take a look at the two images of the ibis. Even though the light and backgrounds are identical, the second image is far superior due to the proper head angle. To get some first hand experience, join me on one of my wildlife photo tours. I’d love to share my knowledge and enthusiasm with you.

©Russ Burden

To learn more about this topic, join me on one of my Nature Photo Tours. Visit russburdenphotography.com and click on the NATURE TOURS button for more information. Also, email me to be placed on my Tip of the Week list and to receive announcements about upcoming tours specials or to pick up a copy of my book, Amphoto’s Complete Book of Photography. You can purchase a signed copy directly from me or visit your local book store or Amazon. Contact me at rburden@ecentral.com to order your signed copy.