# Best Tips for Wildlife Photography

- Link: https://markbrion.com/best-tips-for-wildlife-photography/
- Published: 2025-12-24T09:02:21+00:00
- Author: Mark Brion

 

#### **Wildlife photography is an exciting and challenging field that requires your patience, technical skills and also a deep understanding and respect for nature.**

 

##### In 2013, I was fortunate enough to become a professional wildlife photographer and mixed my two greatest passions in life – the natural world and photography thus defining my future career path.

 

Since then, I have travelled to many exotic and some not so exotic locations around
the globe, in pursuit of my personal and professional goals and photographing wildlife
in their natural habitats.

 

If you’re looking to improve your wildlife photography, here are some of my best
tips and techniques that can help you capture stunning images of animals and birds
in their natural habitats.

 

 

#### **Thoroughly Prepare and Research Your Subject**

 

Before you even think about picking up your camera, research the animals, birds,
insects that you’re planning to photograph. Understanding their behaviour, feeding
habits, movement patterns and active hours will increase your chances of getting
the perfect shot. For example, many animals are more active during dawn or dusk,
whilst others may prefer the cover of darkness.

 

** Tip: **Knowing when and where an animal is most likely to appear will increase
your chances of capturing the perfect shot.

 

** Tip: **Understanding an animal’s behaviour allows you to anticipate its movements
and reactions, giving you an edge in getting the best photograph.

 

 

#### **Using the Right Photography Equipment**

 

Wildlife photography often demands specific gear that can handle the challenges 
of the unpredictable environments and also fast-moving subjects. Having the right
equipment can make all the difference.

 

**Camera Body**:  A DSLR or mirrorless camera with fast autofocus capabilities is
ideal for wildlife photography. Look for a camera with a high burst rate (frames
per second) to capture fast-moving animals.

 

**Lenses:**  A long telephoto lens (200mm to 600mm) is essential for photographing
animals from a distance without disturbing them. Lenses with a wide aperture (f/
2.8 or f/4) allow you to shoot in low light conditions and achieve beautiful background
blur (bokeh).

 

**Tripod or Monopod:** Wildlife photography often requires stability, especially
with heavy telephoto lenses. A tripod or monopod is useful for steady shots, particularly
when shooting distant subjects.

 

**Camera Settings:** Use a high ISO setting to allow faster shutter speeds, especially
when photographing fast-moving animals. A fast shutter speed (1/1000th of a second
or faster) will help freeze motion, and a wide aperture (f/5.6 to f/8) will allow
you to isolate the subject from the background.

 

 

#### **Practice, Practice and Even More Practice**

 

In pursuit of achieving your perfect wildlife, bird or insect photographs will require
many, many hours of practice to  perfect your skill levels, whilst getting to know
all the limits of your camera and equipment.

 

** Tip:** Start with easier subject matter and steadily progress as your experience
grows. Try capturing birds and animals in your back garden or the local park to 
begin with.

 

** Tip:** Master your camera and equipment with hours of practice. Hands on is always
best.

 

** Tip: **Experiment with your camera settings. This will always help in the long
run.

 

** Tip:** Use your camera both on and off the tripod, depending on your subjects
movements.

 

** Tip:** Follow wildlife, birds and insects through your viewfinder, this will 
help develop your skills levels for faster moving subjects.

 

 

![](http://markbrion.com/wp-content/uploads/Goshawk-0017-copy-2-300x260.jpg)

Wildlife Photography

 

 

#### **Dress For The Conditions**

 

You may well be sat patiently waiting for several hours for your subject to appear.
Always dress for the conditions particularly during cold weather shoots.

 

** Tip:** Always take and use more items of clothing and accessories such as gloves
and scarfs, than is required. It is better to have too much warmth than not enough.

 

** Tip:** Consider using camouflage clothing and for your equipment, if it suits
the surroundings

 

 

#### **Getting the Right Light**

 

Focus on Lighting – Lighting plays a huge role in any form of photography, and wildlife
photography is no exception. The time of day, the direction of light and the weather
can all have a significant impact on your photos.

 

** Tip: **Golden Hours (Dawn and Dusk)**.** Arrive early in the morning or stay 
late in the evening to take advantage of the beautiful lighting. This provides soft,
warm light that adds depth and dimension to any wildlife photos. The low angle of
the sun also creates long shadows, which can add interest to the composition.

 

** Tip: **Overcast Days: Cloudy days can offer even, diffused light that reduces
harsh shadows and brings out fine details in both the subject and the environment.

 

** Tip:** Backlighting: Shooting against the light can create dramatic silhouettes
or highlight the animal’s fur or feathers, adding a sense of mystery to the shot.

 

Proper lighting can enhance the colours, textures and mood of a photograph, making
it more impactful. Natural lighting often complements the subject matter, especially
in outdoor settings.

 

 

![](http://markbrion.com/wp-content/uploads/Puffin-1-copy-300x216.jpg)

Wildlife Photography

 

 

#### **Use Fast Shutter Speeds**

 

Wildlife subjects tend to move quickly, so it’s essential to use a fast shutter 
speed (1/1000s or faster) to freeze their motion. The faster the animal, the faster
your shutter speed should be.

 

** Tip:** A fast shutter speed is particularly important for action shots (e.g.,
a bird taking flight or an animal running).

 

 

#### **Focus on the Eyes**

 

In wildlife photography, the eyes are one of the most important features of the 
animal. Sharp, focused eyes make the image more engaging and will convey more emotion.

 

** Tip:** Always make sure the animal’s eyes are in focus. You can adjust your autofocus
settings to prioritise eye detection if your camera supports it.

 

 

#### **Get Low to Your Subject**

 

Photographs taken at eye level with an animal often feel more intimate and powerful.
Shooting from a low angle brings you into the animal’s world and creates a stronger
connection between the viewer and the subject.

 

** Tip:** If possible, kneel or lie down to get to the animal’s level. For birds
or other high-flying animals, try shooting from a lower vantage point to capture
them in the best light.

 

 

#### **Master the Basics of Composition**

 

Good composition is key to creating visually appealing wildlife photographs. There
are several composition techniques that can make your wildlife photos stand out.

 

**The Rule of Thirds:** Place the animal off-center, in one of the intersecting 
lines, to create a more dynamic and balanced shot.

 

**Leading Lines:** Use natural elements like rivers, paths, or trees to lead the
viewer’s eye toward the subject.

 

**Framing:** Use natural elements like foliage or tree branches to frame your subject
and add depth to the image.

 

**Negative Space:** Sometimes, leaving a lot of empty space around the subject can
give a photo a minimalist and dramatic feel, especially when capturing animals in
vast landscapes.

 

**Background:** Pay attention to the background, as a cluttered or distracting background
can often take focus away from your subject. Use shallow depth of field to blur 
the background and make the animal stand out.

 

Strong composition will take your wildlife photos to the next level and helps direct
the viewer’s attention to the subject and creates more aesthetically pleasing images.
The way you frame your subject can make or break the shot, and it also provides 
context, showing the animal at its best in its natural environment.

 

 

![](http://markbrion.com/wp-content/uploads/Badger-1-copy-2-1-300x219.jpg)

Wildlife Photography

 

 

#### **Always Shoot in RAW**

 

When it comes to editing wildlife photos, shooting in RAW format is essential. RAW
images contain more data than JPEGs, allowing for greater flexibility in post-processing.
You can adjust exposure, white balance and sharpness without losing any image quality.

 

** Tip:** Editing RAW images gives you better control over the final look of your
photo, especially in difficult lighting situations.

 

 

#### **Patience and Observation**

 

Wildlife photography often requires a great deal of patience. Animals are unpredictable
and capturing the perfect shot may take hours of waiting. However, being patient
and observant can lead to extraordinary moments.

 

**Anticipate Behaviour:** Once you’ve researched your subject, you can better predict
its behavior. Observe the animal quietly and wait for the right moment to snap the
shot.

 

**Don’t Rush:** Sometimes, the most powerful wildlife photos come from waiting for
the animal to move naturally rather than forcing a specific shot.

 

**Remain Still and Quiet:** Many animals are easily startled, so it’s important 
to stay calm and avoid sudden movements or noises that might scare them off.

 

** Tip:** Spend time observing the animal from a distance before attempting to photograph
it. This will help you assess its behaviour and movements.

 

** Tip:** Always use an element of cover where possible and in certain circumstances
stay downwind from your subject

 

Patience and observation help you capture genuinely authentic moments and behaviours,
leading to more engaging and natural photographs. Being respectful of wildlife and
not disturbing them is vital to any ethical wildlife photography.

 

 

#### **Respect Wildlife and Nature**

 

One of the most important aspects of wildlife photography is maintaining an ethical
approach. Ethics are crucial in wildlife photography. Respect the environment and
the animals you are photographing by following these guidelines:

 

**Keep Your Distance:** Never approach animals too closely. Use a long lens to get
the shot without disturbing them. Never chase or disturb them for a photo.

 

**Avoid Feeding Animals:** Feeding wildlife can alter their natural behaviour and
cause them to become dependent on humans.

 

**Do Not Disturb their Habitat:**  Follow local laws and guidelines to minimise 
your impact on the ecosystem. Avoid stepping on fragile vegetation or disrupting
nesting sites and always follow local wildlife regulations and guidelines.

 

Ethical wildlife photography ensures that animals are not harmed or disturbed during
the process. It helps preserve natural habitats and keeps wildlife safe, allowing
future generations to enjoy them as well.

 

 

#### **Use Continuous Autofocus Mode**

 

Wildlife subjects can move quickly, and you need to keep them in focus at all times.
Continuous autofocus mode (AI-Servo, AF-C) allows your camera to track moving subjects,
so you don’t miss critical moments.

 

** Tip:** Use continuous autofocus when photographing animals in motion to ensure
sharp focus throughout the shot.

 

 

#### **Understanding Animal Behaviour**

 

Animals are creatures of habit. By learning their behaviour patterns—such as when
they hunt, sleep or interact with their environment—you’ll be able to predict their
actions and capture unique moments.

 

** Tip:** Spend time in the field observing animal behaviour before you start taking
pictures. This will give you a better idea of where to position yourself and when
to shoot.

 

 

#### **Experiment with Different Perspectives**

 

Don’t be afraid to try unconventional angles or perspectives. A shot from above 
or below, through the grass or branches, or even from inside a vehicle, can give
your wildlife photos a fresh and unique feel.

 

** Tip:** Vary your perspective to add interest and make the animal stand out against
its environment.

 

 

#### **Use Natural Elements for Framing**

 

Incorporating natural elements into your composition, like tree branches, leaves
or flowers can help frame your subject and add depth to your photos.

 

** Tip:** Use these elements to direct the viewer’s attention to the animal, creating
a more dynamic composition.

 

 

#### **Stay Flexible and Adapt**

 

Wildlife photography often requires flexibility. Conditions change, animals behave
unpredictably and light can shift very quickly. Be prepared to adapt to new situations
and be open to photographing different species if your original plan doesn’t work
out.

 

** Tip:** Always have a backup plan. If one animal doesn’t show up, keep an eye 
out for other opportunities.

 

 

**And my last word!** –  Wildlife photography is an extremely rewarding experience
that allows you to connect with nature in a most profound way. It is both an art
and a science, requiring technical expertise, creativity and a deep respect for 
nature.

 

By understanding your subject, choosing the right photography gear, mastering composition
and being patient and ethical in your approach, you can capture stunning images 
that showcase the beauty and wonder of our natural world.

 

These tips and techniques will help you significantly improve your wildlife photography
skills and take your wildlife photography to the next level.

 

Good luck on your next wildlife shoot and many thanks for your time, as always.

 

Mark Brion

 

 

Linked Pages:  [About Mark Brion ](https://markbrion.com/about-mark-brion/) |  [Professional Photographer ](https://markbrion.com/professional-photographer/)