Thread by @Pixel_Stripes

#Thread. #Wildlifephotography. I hope this thread puts a lot of doubts to rest & gives everyone an insight in simple non photographic language of what goes in making a decent wildlife photo (tried my best) .
Its not really a long thread😉
Enjoy the photos too.
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So lets get going-
'Know your camera' as well as you know the capabilities of your fingers. The camera is an extension of yourself & has to do what your mind wants it to do. It has to react fast. Very fast! Action packed moments in the wild last just for a few seconds.
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If you’re not deeply familiar with the settings of your camera or the capabilities of your chosen lens, you‘ll either miss the shot or ruin the images you do manage to capture. Believe me thats a very bad memory to carry out of the wilderness. A lost shot is gone for ever.
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Some important settings to remember-
Always shoot on Aperture priority mode. Why? Ask why do you have to change the aperture? You don’t! So lock it at maximum and play with Shutter Speed (SS) & ISO. Your SS makes or breaks the image in the wild. Dont compromise on it.
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Keep the SS fast enough to capture fast movements & push the ISO in bad light as high as possible but avoid photo noise (avoid grainy images).
Learn to toggle between focus points and learn to keep the focus on the eye of the animal.
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The best way to take control over focus is to switch to back button. Never use the shutter button to focus on subjects. That’s meant for shooting and let that be. Back button helps to keep your forefinger to shoot and thumb takes the charge of focus.
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You don’t really have to get your eyes off the view finder. Train your eyes to get used to d viewfinder so that you don’t miss out on an opportunity. Animals sometimes give you just a moment. It’s impossible to switch from naked eye to viewfinder & get all the settings right.
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Since much of wildlife photography is based upon capturing fleeting moments of natural history, it pays to be able to predict your subject’s behavior beforehand. You need to know your subject in detail. When a bird would fly, why a Tiger will yawn, when a deer will jump etc.
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There are patterns of behavior ingrained into every animal species. Knowing your subject may be the difference between capturing that “golden moment” and watching in agony as it flies by.
Patience. Patience.
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Spend time with your subject. Don’t just hang around for a few minutes and seek out the next subject if the one you’re observing or photographing isn’t delivering the goods. Sit with wildlife. Watch wildlife. Wait......Wait..
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Light is key and in the wild you seldom get great light when your subject decides to pose for you. So try and stick to golden light hours. The afternoons throw very harsh light & shadows. Wait for the subject to enter the light, follow them. Be focused.
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In wildlife photography, you need to know how to use the light to your advantage. Often, you’ll find yourself in a position where the light isn’t ideal, or heaven forbid, the light is nice but is coming from the wrong direction.
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The good news is that light from the wrong direction can add lots of mood to an image. Use exposure compensation to your advantage. Make high key and low key images. Practice at home, in a near by garden, understand the sunlight. Remember thats the only source of light!
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Use wide angle lenses. They make great stories. Phones do a fantastic job too. Seldom does one realize that not all photos have to be taken from a distance or not every animal photo has to be a portrait. This was taken on my phone.
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Get down low. Lower you are, better the chance of an eye level shot. Move around. Be fit and flexible or else you will cramp up . Most jeeps in the wild are not as comfortable as your Rolls Royce but get used to them.
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Practice on fast moving subjects. I keep practicing on birds from my house balcony. That keeps my camera a part on my body.
Love your camera. Protect it. Take care of it from dust and rain. Believe me the camera loves you back.
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I have not covered a great deal but it’s a never ending subject.
Ladies & Gentlemen, If you liked reading this, please do share.
My Dms are always open for help/ suggesstions. Always happy to help. Dont hesitate. I may not revert asap, but I will.
Do follow @wildontheright
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