Something about Wildlife Photography! :)

***Before I could write about any topic, I want to declare one very important thing. That is – whatever I write here regarding what so ever topic, is purely my feeling and opinion or may be based on my own experience. Anything that you read here is NOT generally applicable and it’s purely my perception!***

So here I go!

Wildlife Photography:

So what is wildlife photography to you? Is it shooting Tigers? Snakes? Leopards? It may be Yes to you or may be No! Everyone will have their own definition for Wildlife Photography. One of my good friends Girish says, “Shooting wild animals in forests not in zoos is wildlife photography.” That’s right. That is purely his opinion. 

 

When I explain it, there will be no much difference, but there will be some additions and alterations. Wildlife Photography is something where you shoot (photograph) wild animals in their natural habitat without controlling anything than the camera. You cannot ask a Tiger or a Deer to pose for you, obviously, but capture the best possible by waiting for it. Wild animal is any or every animal that is not domesticated. It can even be a Macaque (Monkey) or an insect, even Mosquitoes. Choose the place, Get geared with the right equipments, and keep going! Some photographers love to shoot mammals, some love reptiles and some birds and so on! Something about wildlife fascinates or attracts photographers that they invest so much of time and patience in shooting them. For Example – Bird Photography is one of the toughest kinds of Photography. It needs a lot of Patience, in depth understanding of the behavior of birds, the habitat they prefer and more. Sometimes, days are spent in one single place waiting for that one “Dream Frame”! 

Having said that, I would love to quote some basic rules of wildlife photography (Rules of the Jungle Rather):
1. Respect the nature and the wilderness
2. Do not smoke or consume alcohol when in field (forest)
3. DO NOT make noise or talk loudly
4. Phones MUST be in SILENT mode if reachable
5. Do not throw plastic and litter the nature
6. Carry water, fruits and a first aid kit
7. DO NOT wear vibrant colors like Red, yellow or any color that does not mix with the forest environment.
8. Do not use deodorants or perfumes – Animals will easily spot you!

That was about the Rules here are some tips:
1. To shoot an animal, go to its eye level.
2. Focus on the eye of the Animal\bird.
3. Minimum requirement is a 300mm (and more) lens – you will be lucky if the animal gets closer.
4. Never try to handle any wildlife*.
5. Know your memory card and battery limits – Its frustrating when card goes full n battery nil.
6. Be Natural – Example- A burrowing frog placed on the tree or a water snake to be on a tree is unnatural. Show the natural habitat.
7. Capture the action – Capturing action is the important thing in wildlife photography. A Tiger Running looks better than a tiger Jus sitting.
8. Know what you are shooting – Know your subject well. Read, study and hear about what you want to shoot..! Do a research and go ahead! Its sometimes difficult and dumb to shoot something that you do not know in wildlife as you can get a better frame when you know the behavior of what you are shooting.
9. Background – A good contrast of the subject should ideally be the back ground. Keeping a green BG looks always better than White BG for a White bird.

So, to conclude, there is no hard and fast rule in the world of photography! Try out new things.
It’s said that, a Tiger sees you 4 to 6 times before you spot it for the 1st time!! So, be careful, be serious. Wilderness and it’s a different world out there. Test your patience but not of a Wild animal.
 
Happy Clicking!