I'm looking for some tips and tricks on wildlife photography?

I wrote an article about this very thing for my photo club... let me see if it's still there.

well, it seems that article has long since been flushed but there are tricks to making critters comfortable enough for you to make images of them... these things take setting up.

For example... bird feeders.

Make note of the places birds habitually land before approaching the feeder (yes, they do have favorite roosts) and introduce, from a distance, a blind that you can get into. Leave it in your yard (I recommend doing this rather than loosing it in some field somewhere) at a distance that doesn't spook the wildlife. Every few days you can move it about a foot closer to the place where the roost is until you are actually close enough to the roosting place that you can capture great shots of your prey (or subject... remember, you are a predator, even though you have only a camera).

I can give you hundreds of things but this is one. Think like the prey... if something approaches you directly, wouldn't you feel threatened?

Never approach a subject in a direct line,... that's what predators do. Always use the diagonal approach, a disinterested human appears less threatening.

.

1

I can't provide a lot of what you are looking for, but perhaps I can mention a couple of things. Don't under estimate some of the simple things. For example, check with your high school counselor - he or she should be able to provide some insights into what is required, and may have some steps you can start taking. I have found advisors at colleges very friendly and willing to answer questions and provide some help. Junior colleges are probably the best, as often their instructors are part-time teachers/full time photographers, In most schools you can find the head of the department or advisors listed online with their email address. You can try to talk to some professionals as well. Give a call to local photographers and ask if you can stop by to chat. Most have busy times but also some not-so-busy times. Lastly, what you are going through is very common. Even people that think they know what they would like to so at 16 (or 18 or 20) often change their minds. Colleges are full of people on the 5 year plan because what sounded good in high school isn't so much fun after you have taken some classes. Just realize it is not the end of the world if you change your mind later. Good Luck!

I'm not a wildlife shooter but I've been to a couple of events where well-known wildlife photographers showed their work. One said that the most important factor is patience. You have to sit still until the animals get used to your presence, and come into shooting distance. Of course a long, fast lens is also necessary if you're shooting birds or small animals. Bird photographers often attract birds with pools of water, food, etc., and have camera pre-focused, exposure calculated, etc. Another photographer said that you'd be surprised to know how many animal pictures are shot at zoos. You just have to be careful to keep the backgrounds natural. Also, make sure the animal looks alert as it would in the wild.

As a former avid stalk type of hunter one of my best strategies is to find a place near to where the wildlife you wish to shoot or photograph frequents. Place yourself down wind within range and make yourself comfortable as possible and do not move. Take a nap, read a book just be quiet and still. This will teach you patience. When ever you enter an area with wildlife you upset the balance and it takes a long time for you to become part of the surroundings. Clues that let you know how fast things are returning to normal are the small wildlife returns to normal first starting with the smallest specie of birds first followed by larger birds than chipmunks, squirrels, and so on. You can improvise a blind using a piece of cotton canvas and a couple of sticks. It does not have to be elaborate or fancy with camouflage. I used cotton canvas as it does not make a lot of noise in the breeze and is cheep and versatile. You can cut slots in it to peek out of to suit the situation without feeling guilty about destroying an expensive commercial blind. Sometimes it works best to set up your blind ahead of time as this activity will disturb the wildlife the area. Happy hunting.

If you are interested in shooting animals that won't allow you to get close, then you need a long lens to enable you to keep back. A tripod will be helpful for this too. A 200mm might do, but a 300mm would be better. A 1000mm would be the best of all. If you do not have one or cannot afford one, then you must get closer somehow, and a good way is to shoot from a blind.

A blind is a camouflaged tent or hide away made from local natural things like branches and leaves. Sit in there, be very, very quite, and shoot away when the animal comes close.

Remember, to use the fastest shutter speed possible, because of two things; animal movement and camera/lens vibration.

That link was funny, this is you.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pe_goossens/

Have you considered a beard & shaggy hair?

I photograph other things as I walk, than other opportunities sometimes arrive.

Has far as these osprey go, I learn more of their routine all the time.

I didn't get many today & I am exhausted from climbing & walking after this guy.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31668947@N02/37348124...

As soon as I turn my attention to something else, something else will happen.

I always go for the long shots first, every step closer could be the one that spooks them.

I set to a fast shutter speed when advancing, ready for a quick snap, then choose an exposure more suitable for the conditions when I pause to shoot.

If I had access to cows like you seem to, I would be shooting lots of them.

2

you.need.like.a.zoom.lens.so.you.dont.get.close