Colorful primate

How to: Pro Tips For Wildlife Photos

Wildlife photography isn’t for the faint of heart. It takes perseverance, flexibility, and, in some cases, a bit of daring—if you’ve ever come relatively close to a big cat or brown bear, or stared down a bald eagle, you know that adrenaline jolt we’re talking about. No matter what the situation, Tamron has a suite of lenses ready to capture photos of creatures great and small, including wide-angle lenses like the 11-20mm F/2.8 and 17-28mm F/2.8 to incorporate more of your subjects’ habitat, to all-in-one telephoto lenses like the 28-300mm VC, to ultra-telephoto zooms like the 150-500mm VC for the longest reach with the least intrusiveness. Read on for guidance from Tamron’s photographic experts on how to craft stunning images, whether your subjects are roaming the savannas of Africa, trekking over the Arctic tundra, or bursting out of Monterey Bay in a splash-filled breach.

TIP 1: WAIT FOR THE PERFECT POSE

Make sure your subject strikes a dynamic and flattering pose. You typically want to ensure that your subject’s face is in favorable light, and that you’re seeing an attractive profile or portrait of the animal.

Cheetah at sunset

TIP 2: USE A VERSATILE LENS THAT’S READY FOR THE UNEXPECTED

When you don’t know quite where or when the action will happen, an all-in-one lens like the Tamron 28-300mm is perfect for this type of situation—no matter where the action happens, you’re covered.

Buffalo with birds on back in Yellowstone

TIP 3: LOOK FOR UNIQUE WAYS TO PHOTOGRAPH YOUR SUBJECT

This can help diversify your wildlife portfolio. You can do this by isolating just a portion of your subject’s body or face to convey a more intimate moment, rather than taking a traditional portrait.

Sea lion

TIP 4:  CAPTURE AN ANIMAL’S STARE

We have a natural inclination to make eye contact. When you zoom in on an animal’s eyes, especially a larger animal that we don’t typically get to see up close, it forges an immediate intimacy and connection between the animal and the viewer.

Colorful primate

TIP 5: BE PREPARED FOR FASTER-MOVING BIRDS

This is especially true for birds in flight. In such cases, a shutter speed of at least 1/1000th of a second is crucial to freeze their movements and capture details. You’ll also want to pin-point the places where birds frequent. For instance, if eagles are flying down to a beach to scoop up fish that’s washed up on the shore, you can position yourself upwind so the eagles will be facing you as they land. Simply set your focus system to continuous tracking and get ready for some great pictures.

Hummingbird

TIP 6: POSITION YOURSELF AT EYE LEVEL WITH YOUR SUBJECT AS IT’S ON THE MOVE

Especially with larger animals, like the ones you might encounter on an African safari, this offers the viewer the feeling that they’re right there with you as an animal makes its approach. Just be sure to use an ultra-telephoto lens with plenty of reach so you’re able to keep a safe distance.

Cheetah running

TIP 7: KEEP A LOW PROFILE

Disturbing the animal as little as possible is best practices when it comes to wildlife ethics. Position yourself in a spot so you can ensure an optimal composition, instead of having to chase or track your subject down. You’ll achieve photographs with more authentic animal behavior that way, as they (hopefully) won’t be affected by your presence.

Set up in a sheltered, wooded area behind trees or in concealing grass to keep yourself out of sight. You might want to consider wearing camouflage and purchasing camouflage camera body and lens cover kits. This will help break your shape up, allowing you to blend more naturally into your subject’s environment.

Conclusion

In wildlife photography, capturing the essence of animals in their natural environment is both rewarding and challenging. By following these seven tips, you’ll be better equipped to seize those fleeting, magical moments with clarity and precision. Whether it’s understanding animal behavior, perfecting your camera settings, or positioning yourself for the ideal shot, each tip brings you closer to mastering the art of wildlife photography.

With the versatility and performance of Tamron lenses, you’ll have the tools to capture stunning details from a safe distance, ensuring your wildlife images are as dynamic and powerful as the creatures you photograph.

Learn about these lenses and more at an authorized Tamron dealer in your area or visit the TAMRON Store today.

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