8 Essential (& Simple) Wildlife Photography Tips for Beginners
When you’re first starting out in wildlife photography it can be overwhelming with the range of gear, accessories and advice available out there. From lens choice to tripods and where to go to even find something to photograph in the first place, the genre can be daunting.
I’ve gathered together eight simple tips that I still put in practice to this day and are perfect for when you’re starting out with wildlife photography. The best part? They are mostly free or cost very little money, and simply require a little time, mindfulness and planning.
Getting down low to photograph Otters on water level.
#1: Get on eye level with your subject
Getting on eye level with your subject dramatically improves your image. This could mean getting down on your belly and lying on the ground to photograph something small, or it could also apply to getting higher as well, perhaps finding some elevation nearby to capture a bird in the upper branches of a tree. The trick here is meeting the subject on their level. We are seeing the world from their perspective and that brings so much to an image.
I often find myself lying on the ground for many of the animals I photograph so it can be handy to bring a foldable mat or something to lie on if you’re going to stay largely in one place, or some waterproof clothing if you think you'll be on the move a little more. It can be quite unpleasant after a long day on the hillside to come back with soggy clothing and will reduce your time in the field as a result.
For animals or birds that are higher than yourself, if you can’t get on their level then stepping back and increasing the distance a little between you and your subject, effectively creating a shallower angle, can really help. If you struggle to get down low due to mobility issues or discomfort then consider taking advantage of the flip out screens on most modern cameras and practice shooting in a seated or crouching position. The back screens are great these days and can make awkward positions much easier for the photographer.
A red squirrel pauses on a log.
#2: Composition is key
Composition is such a big part of photography and one of the largest contributors to becoming a better photographer in general. It’s something I’m always striving to improve myself and there’s always something to try or improve on which keeps photography fresh for me. So what are some simple tips to try?
Find an angle that puts some distance between your subject matter and the background to help it stand out when in your frame (As a rule of thumb I’ll try to leave twice the distance between myself and my subject if possible - although many times it wont be and you’ll have to make do with what you’ve got). This will help create those smooth out of focus backgrounds and make your subject pop.
Likewise, think about what is behind your subject; a busy hedgerow or fence could be an unwelcome distraction that moving just a few inches left or right could eliminate for a smoother cleaner and less distracting background. Try to think about the story you want to tell however, perhaps a backdrop of cars passing or high rise buildings could paint the picture you're trying to convey of urban wildlife coexisting with humans.
I like to leave a little room in the frame around my subject as well to help give some context to the environment, helping in turn to tell that story, and also to allow for some creative cropping if need be later down the line. There’s nothing more frustrating than having a wonderfully sharp and perfectly lit subject that’s had its tail cut off by the edge of your frame.
Two black grouse fight at a Lek in Perthshire, Scotland.
#3: Get to know your subject
If possible, spend some time with your subject matter and get to know them. You'll start to notice specific patterns in their behaviour and that will help you recognise and crucially time that important moment to help capture interesting behaviour. Photos of interaction and behaviour can be really engaging and exciting compared with a static portrait of wildlife, although there is nothing wrong with a static portrait, I take plenty, especially when not a lot is going on! Sticking around and observing will help you no end and you can tell a lot from the body language of certain animals.
There are many great free resources online to help you learn about birds and animals. Here in the UK, sites like The Wildlife Trusts Wildlife Explorer and RSPB’s Bird A-Z are brilliant resources full of information on a multitude of species. Type your target species into Google and you’ll find a myriad of results to pour over there too. For book lovers there’s decades of books out there on wildlife behaviours, tracking and so much more which can also really help in understanding the wildlife you’d like to photograph. Just be aware of the date they were published, I’ve run into a few books where populations have crashed, or even significantly recovered since and the information is out of date as a result.
If you need help finding where to go to photograph wildlife then some websites like eBird will even give you locations where specific species have been spotted, crowdsourced from the public - you can even submit your sightings yourself! If you’re based in Scotland, The SOC (Scottish Ornithologists' Club) is another great one to download with their app, Where to Watch Birds in Scotland which has proven very useful in the past for helping to find species.
A Fallow deer in the woodlands of Sussex.
#4: Practice some patience
Practicing building your patience can really have some benefits with wildlife photography. We’re entering a world where we are on the animals schedule and although there are often many rhythms in the natural world that you can plan for (many species have very consistent timings and behavioural patterns) it can often mean long waits between having your subject in front of your lens.
Over the years I’ve enjoyed reframing this as more of a mindful experience, focusing on the dew glistening in blades of grass around me, or the earthy smell of the forest floor as the sun breaks through the canopy warming the leaf litter beside me. It becomes a somewhat zen experience, getting lost in nature if you will - and it often leads me to noticing details around me that I'd not usually have time for in my busy life.
The knock on effect is generally the longer I'm out in a spot, the more chances I get for a photograph. If this doesn’t appeal then perhaps take a book or podcast with you, although I’ve had mixed results with this myself as it often distracts me too much from my surrounds. It does work for others though so I wouldn’t rule it out!
#5: Make yourself as comfy as possible
This ties a lot into practicing some patience, but simply put, the more comfortable you are, the longer you'll be inclined to stay out and therefore the higher your chances of getting a photograph. Don’t underestimate this one!
Making yourself as comfy as possible can range from ensuring you have something comfortable to sit on (those foldable seat pads for camping and hiking are great and relatively inexpensive), to having a warm drink or some warm food - especially in the winter months. Even just wearing the right clothes, whether that be layering up in winter (always take more than you anticipate as you often wont be moving much) or having options to remove layers in the summer months to keep cool. Also don’t forget to pack your smidge if you’re in an area where biting insects are present, I’ve been driven away from some spots over the years by particularly persistent little beasties!
In short, the more comfortable you are, the less distractions there will be and the happier you'll be to sit patiently and wait longer for the opportune shot. I feel like this tip is often overlooked but it's incredibly important and one that I very much stand by and put into practice myself every time I go out.
#6: Prepare the night before
This is a quick easy one but one I’ve found so, so useful over the years - It’s unfortunately one I often forget as well leading me to kick myself for not heeding my own advice!
Prepare yourself the night before. This could mean getting your photography gear ready, batteries charged and memory cards cleared, your thermos ready next to the kettle, your sandwiches made and your boots and warm clothes ready by the door. If you do as much of this as you can the night before you plan to go out, getting up and out early becomes far easier and you’ll have much less of a chance of forgetting something important.
A roe deer standing in the early morning mist.
#7: Get to know the locals
Talking to locals can often be the best way to find out what's in the area, where to specifically go to get the best chances to see your subject matter and the best time to be there. They can sometimes be a wealth of information, tips and advice.
Plenty of times I've arrived at a location I've researched online and been in the wrong spot for a while before a kind local passes by and tips me off to a much better spot, sometimes just a few meters away. Local knowledge from the people who spend time in the area regularly is so valuable and can save you so much time and effort in your search for wildlife.
#8: Try not to disturb the wildlife
And finally, try not to disturb the wildlife. We're in their environment and the last thing we want to do is frighten them, drive them off a nest or away from young or to even change their behaviour in the long term. The welfare of the wildlife should be top priority when you’re photographing them.
A successful image for me, and a lot of other photographers, is one where we've taken it and gotten away after without disturbing the wildlife. Aside from the benefit to the animal, this will have a fantastic knock on effect for you as well as other wildlife lovers, especially if you plan to make repeat visits to a location.
If you crawled in for a shot, don’t forget to crawl slowly back the way you came rather than standing bolt upright after you’ve taken the shot. If you arrived before they arrived at the location, wait until the animal has left themselves before leaving.
So that’s it, 8 of my essential and simple wildlife photography tips for beginners (and experienced photographers too in some cases!). Is there anything you’d add or any tips you’ve discovered over the years to help you in your quest to get a fantastic shot? Get in touch and let me know or drop me a message on social media.