Shoot low
Wildlife is nearly always best
photographed at eye level to provide
a more intimate connection between
the subject and viewer. This requiresthe camera to be placed on/near to
the ground, a task made much easier
with the latest cameras that usually
have foldout screens.Record
behav iour
As with telephoto wildlife
photography, capturing
a moment of unique
behaviour can really
elevate your images.
There are benefi ts
to working with wider
focal lengths because
interactions between
animals often take up
more space than a static
pose. You can also seek
to include interaction
between your subject
and its environment.Provide context
If there is a strong connection
between your subject and its
environment it’s not always
necessary or desirable to fi ll
the frame. Keeping the subject
small in the frame will allow you
to show its environment and
will give the animal/bird space
to breathe. It can also be used
to enhance the suggestion of
‘remoteness’ and ‘solitude’.Explore urban
environments
With bold colours, refl ective
materials and strong, geometric
patterns, towns and cities are
exciting places to photograph
wildlife in. The wildlife is often
more habituated to humans,
making them easier to work with
without causing distress, and
there is also the opportunity to
record how your subject interacts
with human day-to-day life.Experiment
w i t h fl a s h
A fl ash can be used
to provide fi ll-in light,
helping your subject to
stand out against the
backdrop. It can also
be used to create a
pleasing catchlight in
the eye, preventing the
subject from appearing
lifeless. Although
more tricky, it’s worth
experimenting with
off-camera fl ash to
create enhanced
lighting effects.