Tips for Better Wildlife Photography with Ultra-Telephoto Zooms

Images and Text by David Akoubian

Wildlife photography demands precision, patience, and the right equipment to capture the beauty of nature. With a Tamron telephoto zoom lens, you can get up close to distant wildlife without disturbing their natural behavior. In this post, we’ll share 5 key tips to help you maximize the performance of your telephoto zoom lens and capture stunning wildlife shots.

Getting started with wildlife photography begins with choosing the right lens, and Tamron offers several excellent options to suit various shooting needs. The Tamron 150-500mm F/5-6.7 DI III VC VXD (Model A057) and SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 (Model A022) lenses provide exceptional reach, making them perfect for capturing distant animals in their natural habitat with sharp detail. If you need greater versatility, the 50-400mm F/4.5-6.3 DI III VC VXD (Model A067) lens delivers both standard and telephoto capabilities in one compact package. For photographers looking for a lightweight and budget-friendly option, the 70-300mm F/4.5-6.3 DI III RXD (Model A047) or 50-300mm F/4.5-6.3 DI III VC VXD (Model A069) lenses are a great choice for more casual wildlife encounters. Selecting the right lens sets the foundation for capturing breathtaking wildlife shots.

TIP 1

When photographing birds in flight, using an autofocus selection that covers about 30% of the viewfinder will aid the camera in tracking the bird.

Eagle landing
Tamron 150-500mm, 444mm, f/8, 1/4000 sec., ISO 1250

TIP 2

Waiting for the animal to make eye contact with you, or until a light strikes the eye, gives more interest in the face of the animal.

Brown bears playing
Tamron 150-500mm, 500mm, f/8, 1/250 sec., ISO 1000

TIP 3

When photographing male animals during their mating season, you can see specimens of the species at their best. Animals will frequently show domination towards others in the herd, which makes for great photographs. Find the best-looking subjects in the herd.

Bighorn sheep
Tamron 150-600mm, 460mm, f/8, 1/320 sec., ISO 400

TIP 4

Don’t always focus on filling the frame with wildlife, sometimes zooming out and including their environment strengthens the composition of the image.

Moose on prairie
Tamron 70-300mm, 80mm, f/8, 1/3200 sec., ISO 800

TIP 5

When photographing birds, getting a lower perspective as close to eye level as possible with the bird makes a much more personable image and strengthens the overall composition.

Tufted puffin
Tamron 150-500mm, 500mm, f/8, 1/2000 sec., ISO 800

Learn about Tamron’s telephoto zoom lenses. Find an authorized Tamron dealers in your area or visit the TAMRON Store today.

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