Photographing wild animals can be extremely challenging and frustrating. For many, wildlife photography is the absolute pinnacle of our beautiful hobby, but it is also one where beginners often quickly lose patience.
Animals that move unpredictably fast, irregularly and suddenly are among the most difficult subjects to photograph. Nevertheless, you don’t have to be a professional photographer or spend weeks hiding in a camouflage tent in the jungle to take beautiful pictures of wild animals. No other type of photography requires so much knowledge, preparation and practice.
What is particularly important to me is that the welfare and life of the animals is always more important than a photo! If you do it right, wildlife photography can be a great tool to raise awareness for endangered species and habitats worth protecting. In this article, I share my most valuable insider tips to help you get better results faster while treating the animals with respect.
- Photographing wildlife with respect
- Preparation is everything
- The right equipment for beginners
- Behavior in the field
- Technology and image composition
- Getting better in the long term
- Conclusion: Your path to becoming a successful wildlife photographer
Photographing wildlife with respect
Ethics in wildlife photography is not a sideshow, but the foundation of our work. As a wildlife photographer, your practice should make a positive contribution to ongoing wildlife conservation efforts, not hinder them. At the core of wildlife photography is a deep respect for nature – we are visitors in their world and their welfare should always be paramount.
Why ethics are important in wildlife photography
The purpose of wildlife photography is to show the beauty and uniqueness of creatures in the wild. Unethical practices not only discredit this purpose, but also create an unrealistic image of an animal. When photographing wildlife, we should ask ourselves if the photo we are taking is honest and authentic to the moment.
With the rise of social media, there is growing concern about the impact that sharing locations of sensitive wildlife can have, often leading to an increase in visitor numbers and potential habitat destruction. Competition among wildlife photographers has intensified and the pressure to create a ‘viral’ image has increased. This competitive spirit often causes nature and wildlife photographers to overstep boundaries and violate ethical considerations.
It’s important to understand that our planet’s wildlife is under threat from all sides: climate change, deforestation and human-wildlife conflict. Today’s wildlife photographers can work to protect them, but they can also harm the environment, whether intentionally or not.
Do not manipulate or feed animals
“A fed animal is a dead animal” – this principle from Yellowstone National Park illustrates the danger that feeding causes. The best thing you can do for a wild animal is to respect its wildness. Feeding not only habituates an animal to humans – the wrong or inappropriate food can also severely damage its digestive system, introduce parasites and disease, and ultimately cause unnecessary suffering and death.
Conservation photographer Daisy Gilardini explains: “Feeding wildlife to get the ‘perfect’ photo has unfortunately become a normal practice. Snowy owls in Canada are baited with live mice. All ‘wildlife’ in Japan is baited, from sandhill cranes to snow monkeys, swans, owls and Steller’s sea eagles.”
The following manipulations are never acceptable:
Forcing animals into unnatural poses
Taping or restraining animals to prevent them from moving
Catching or caging animals
Wild animals can lose their fear of humans through feeding and become aggressive if they are not fed (so it is not so funny to be encamped by a horde of begging monkeys). High concentrations of wild animals also increase the likelihood of territorial and food fights and often lead to the spread of disease.
Avoid loud noises
In addition to the careless use of flashes, loud noises can also disturb wild animals considerably. Deer, for example, have an incredibly good sense of smell and hearing. They can perceive odors over huge distances. We should therefore always move towards the animal against the wind and move very quietly and slowly. Hectic movements, especially changes in profile, are quickly noticed by the animals.
Remember, an animal surrounded by crowds is a stressed animal – especially if it is wild. Disturbances include both direct and indirect interactions with the animal. This means no chasing, calling, distracting, throwing objects or interfering.
There’s no point in trying to get the one picture by hook or by crook and chasing after the animals for it. If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. Let it be, pull back carefully and try again at another time.
Preparation is everything
Successful wildlife photography begins long before you press the shutter button. Thorough preparation often makes the difference between frustrating hours in the field and stunning shots. This section will guide you through the most important preparation steps.
Find out about animal species and habitats
A sound knowledge of your subjects is essential in wildlife photography. The more you know about an animal, the easier it will be to get it in front of your lens. Ethical wildlife photography starts with understanding the natural history of a species, which will help you make responsible decisions on location.
You should research the following questions before every photo excursion:
Where is the natural habitat of these animals?
When are these animals active?
When do they have young and when is their mating season? (The deer rut, for example, takes place in the fall, usually from September to October)
What do they feed on and where do they find their food?
This knowledge will enable you to recognize signs of stress, fear or aggression in the animals and act accordingly. You will also save valuable time in the field if you already know where and when your subjects are most likely to be found.
The internet and specialist literature are excellent sources of information. Biologists, foresters and nature guides can also provide valuable insider tips. It is particularly helpful for beginners in wildlife photography to talk to experienced photographers.
Plan your route and check permits
Before you set out to photograph wildlife in nature reserves or national parks, make sure you find out about the applicable rules and regulations. These can vary considerably from place to place and often include specific guidelines for photographers.
Nature reserves and national parks usually have clear guidelines on how much distance must be maintained from animals. It is also important to know which photography methods are permitted – drones, for example, are prohibited in most protected areas.
Park rangers and nature conservation authorities are reliable sources of information on current regulations. In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the basic ideas of the Bern Convention on the Protection of Wild Fauna and Flora have found their way into legislation. Familiarize yourself with these regulations to ensure that your wildlife photography remains within the legal framework.
It is also worth searching the local press for reports on renaturation measures or the reintroduction of animal species. This information can provide valuable information about interesting photo opportunities in your area.
For unique photos, you should often not only visit protected areas, but also look for the animals where they are naturally accustomed to people: Gray herons in Vienna, tawny owls in Munich’s Nymphenburg Palace Park and ibexes in the Bernese Oberland.
Observe weather, wind and light conditions
Weather conditions have a significant influence on the success of your wildlife photography. In the morning and evening, when the sun is low, the rays of light fall flat on the landscape in beautiful shades of color. These “golden hours” not only offer optimal lighting conditions, but are also the times when many wild animals are particularly active.
A crucial factor that many beginners overlook is the direction of the wind. Wild animals have a keen sense of smell and can detect human scent over astonishing distances. Therefore, the basic rule is: always move towards your subject against the wind. The wind should blow in your face and not on the back of your neck so that the animals cannot smell you.
Cloudy, cooler days are particularly suitable for forest photography. There are fewer people out and about on such days and the animals are generally less shy. In the morning, there is also the chance of atmospheric wafts of mist or dew-covered meadows, which can give your pictures a special mood.
Pay attention to your clothing too: many everyday jackets make noises when you move that sound unnatural to forest dwellers. Quiet fabrics or special hunting clothing can help here and allow you to move quietly in the terrain.
The best strategy for sustainably successful wildlife photography is to concentrate on a few locations close to your home and visit them regularly. Over time, you will develop a feel for the behavior of the local wildlife and the local lighting conditions – an invaluable advantage for good wildlife photography.
The right equipment for beginners
Choosing the right equipment is often confusing for newcomers to wildlife photography. Good news first: you don’t necessarily need expensive professional equipment to take impressive wildlife photos. Rather, it’s all about the right combination of basic technology, well thought-out camouflage and practical accessories.
Camera and lens: what you really need
Contrary to popular belief, wildlife photography does not always require the most expensive equipment. In fact, good preparation, camouflage and patience already lead to excellent results – even with a beginner’s camera. A reliable autofocus that is fast enough to capture fleeting moments is particularly important.
For beginners, I recommend a mirrorless camera with an APS-C sensor or a digital SLR camera. The advantage of an APS-C sensor over full-frame is the apparent increase in focal length (crop factor), which allows you to get closer to your subjects.
When choosing a lens, the following applies: The focal length for wildlife photography should be at least 300mm – longer is of course better. The following properties are particularly important:
Sufficient focal length (200-500mm for birds and shy mammals)
Image stabilizer for blur-free hand-held shots
Fast and precise autofocus
- Weatherproof for use in the great outdoors
As an entry-level zoom, I recommend a 70-300mm or 100-400mm lens. These offer a good balance between range, weight and price. For advanced beginners, a 200-500mm is an excellent all-round solution, which can be aptly described as the “Swiss army knife of lenses”.
Camouflage and clothing for inconspicuous behavior
The right camouflage is not a luxury, but essential for successful wildlife photography. It must perform three essential tasks: hide your human silhouette, blur sharp contours and mask unnatural colors.
A commercially available camouflage suit with artificial leaves for around €40 is perfectly adequate for beginners. Make sure that all blue and metallic areas are covered, as these look unnatural in the wild. Face camouflage is particularly important – our light-colored European face is a clear distinguishing feature for wild animals. A face mask (balaclava) or a camouflage cap can help here.
Alternatively, a camouflage tent can be the ideal solution. It creates a “cocoon” in which you are invisible to the animals and at the same time have a comfortable working space. There are different types: Pop-up camouflage tents, square retro camouflage tents, chair hides with an integrated chair or dome hides with cross poles.
If you want to be lighter and more mobile on the move, a camouflage cape or camouflage net is suitable. These are more airy and do not require a long set-up, but you will need to coordinate your movements much more carefully.
Accessories for long hides
In wildlife photography, I do most of the work before the actual photography. When the desired motif appears, nothing should stand in the way. That’s why the right accessories are crucial.
First and foremost is a sturdy tripod. It holds your camera-lens combination steady, which you can’t possibly hold still for hours. For longer telephoto lenses, I recommend a gimbal head instead of a conventional ball head. A balanced gimbal allows you to let go of the camera and still have it rest in that exact position without having to tighten locking wheels.
They are also indispensable for long hunts:
A comfortable stool or chair
Sufficient spare batteries (the cold shortens the battery life considerably)
A rain cover for camera and lens
A quiet fabric for your clothing (many everyday jackets make noise)
Water and a container that can hold the water after use
If you are planning particularly long hides, you should think about a camping toilet. This will prevent you from having to leave your site and possibly triggering warning calls from birds such as the jay, which can keep other animals away for a long time.
The right equipment is important, but even with the best technology, wildlife photography remains an exercise in patience and perseverance. The joy of experiencing nature is always in the foreground.
Behavior in the field
In the field itself, your behavior is a decisive factor for success or failure in wildlife photography. Even with perfect preparation and high-quality equipment, wildlife photos are still a matter of luck if you don’t behave correctly. My experience shows: The art of inconspicuous behavior can be learned and refined.
How to move quietly and inconspicuously
Most wild animals have a keen sense of hearing and smell. The wind direction is therefore crucial – always move against the wind so that the animals cannot smell you. An old hunter’s proverb says: “When the wind blows with a whistle, the hunter stays quietly at home.” Almost all wild animals take cover in strong gusts of wind.
When moving off-road, slow and irregular movement is better than fast and steady. Pay particular attention to your steps – develop a feeling for how you place your feet. I test each step carefully before shifting all my weight to avoid dry branches or rustling leaves.
Keep a crouched posture to make yourself small. Wild animals do not normally see creatures that are smaller than themselves as a danger. It also helps to wear muted clothing in shades of green, brown or beige. Striking colors such as red or yellow will make you stand out immediately and scare the animals away.
What to do if an animal is spotted?
The most critical moment in wildlife photography is the first contact with the animal. As soon as you see an animal, you must first “freeze” all movements. This is crucial – stand completely still until the animal has grasped the situation and is no longer startled.
After that, your behavior depends on the species:
With deer and hares: Turn away slightly, as if you were interested in something else. Sometimes even gentle coaxing in a calming tone of voice helps.
With foxes and badgers: Absolute immobility is required. Only move your camera at a snail’s pace and ideally use the electronic shutter
Once the animal has accepted you, you can carefully crouch down and start taking pictures. However, you should always remain still until the animal is out of sight before you leave your position.
When walkers walk through the forest talking, wild animals realize that there is no real danger. However, the animals also know that people can pose a danger if they stalk through the forest conspicuously quietly – which is exactly what we photographers do. However, camouflaging yourself as a walker can be quite successful, especially if you don’t want to get quite so close and would rather take a picture with a habitat. This is definitely less stressful for the animals than running away from a supposed predator.
How to recognize and avoid stress in animals
The animal’s well-being always comes first. A stressed animal feels threatened and anxious, which manifests itself in various signs:
Conspicuous, unnatural behavior
Unusual escape reactions
Faster breathing or looking around nervously
Sudden freezing or excessive alertness
If you notice such stress signals, it is high time to leave the area and give the animal space. Especially in the cold season or during snowfall, an escape caused by humans can be life-threatening. The animals use up important energy reserves that they need to survive.
Always respect the natural processes. Wildlife photography is much more than just the photo – it’s the weeks of waiting, the cold days and the wet feet. But the special moments “alone” with the animal, eye to eye, make up for everything.
Technology and image composition
The technical aspects of wildlife photography ultimately determine the quality of your pictures. With the right camera settings and well thought-out image composition, even beginners can take impressive wildlife photos.
Focus on the eyes
There is a golden rule for animal portraits: the eyes must always be in focus. We automatically look directly into the eyes, regardless of whether we are looking at people or animals. Blurred eyes disturb our perception and appear unnatural. The eyes are the mirror to the animal’s soul and reveal a lot about its personality and emotions.
Modern cameras now offer animal eye autofocus, which automatically recognizes and focuses on the eyes. This function can be particularly helpful for beginners – it works reliably about 80% of the time. However, it does not always work perfectly. I therefore recommend practicing manual focusing as well.
Capturing movement with a short exposure time
The exposure time determines whether you want to freeze the movement of an animal or deliberately blur it. For sharp shots of wild animals in motion, you need a short exposure time of at least 1/250 of a second. For faster animals such as flying birds or running mammals, you should even go up to 1/1000 or 1/4000 of a second.
The following guideline values have proven their worth:
Slow movements (walking animals): 1/250-1/500 second
Medium movements (jumping animals): 1/500-1/1000 second
Fast movements (flying birds): from 1/2000 second
However, a completely frozen movement can sometimes look unnatural. For more dynamic images, you can work with the “panning” technique: Use a slightly longer exposure time and move the camera along with the animal. This keeps the subject in focus while blurring the background and emphasizing the dynamics of the movement.
Consciously choose composition and perspective
The choice of perspective has a significant influence on how the viewer perceives your animal photo. Photographing the animal at eye level is particularly effective, as this creates a balanced relationship between the subject and the viewer. This perspective helps to convey the emotional connection to the animal.
Image composition also plays a central role. Apply the rule of thirds by placing important elements at the intersections of the imaginary lines. Also pay attention to the direction in which the animal is looking – leave enough space in this direction to create dynamism.
A large aperture (small f-number such as f/2.8 or f/4) blurs the background pleasantly and highlights the animal. Also experiment with different foregrounds and backgrounds to create depth in your pictures.
Getting better in the long term
Mastery in wildlife photography does not develop overnight, but through continuous practice and learning. While technical fundamentals and equipment are important, it is regular practice that ultimately makes the difference.
Practice regularly with simple motifs
It is advisable to start with simpler subjects. Photographing pets or animals in the zoo is the perfect introduction to animal photography and excellent preparation for wild animals. At the zoo, the animals are “placed” for you and you can concentrate fully on taking pictures without the animal disappearing immediately. Observing the animals in well-equipped wildlife parks can be better as a beginner than potentially scaring or disturbing them in the wild. You can also set up a bird feeder in your garden and photograph them through the window. Even taking photos of cats in the wild is surprisingly challenging – cats are fast and can’t be directed, making them perfect subjects for practice.
Learn from your mistakes
If you are photographing wild animals in motion, take continuous shots! This increases the likelihood of capturing the perfect moment. It makes a big difference which running or flying phase you capture. However, you should only keep the best pictures later. Evaluate your photos regularly and identify potential for improvement. There is often a tendency to get so excited about the sighting of a wild animal that you simply start taking pictures and forget everything you have learned about image composition. Look out for elements that you can incorporate into your picture before you encounter the animal – plants, stones or other natural elements can add depth to your pictures.
Share your images with feedback communities
Although your own photography portfolio website is the starting point for showcasing your images, you shouldn’t stop there. Participating in online communities and photo forums is an essential part of your development. Sharing your work will give you feedback and constructive criticism, which can help tremendously in improving your weak areas. There are numerous photo forums for beginners, each with their own focus and tone. By actively engaging, you’ll also develop a sense of camaraderie with other photographers who are overcoming similar challenges. The only way to find out which community is right for you is to get involved – find a place that gives honest feedback to aspiring photographers and where everyone takes photography seriously.
The best communities for nature photographers:
- The GDT – Society for Nature Photography – has regional groups all over Germany where you can exchange ideas with like-minded people
- The Nature Photographers Forum is a great place to get feedback
- For serious criticism, I would leave social media out of the equation – there are beautiful pictures to be seen, but little awareness of criticism.
Conclusion: Your path to becoming a successful wildlife photographer
Wildlife photography is undoubtedly one of the most challenging photographic disciplines. However, my two decades of experience clearly show that with the right preparation, ethical behavior and basic technical knowledge, any beginner can take impressive animal photos.
The welfare of the animals must always come first. Unethical behavior such as feeding or flash photography not only harms the animals, but ultimately also the credibility of your work. Respectful treatment of nature is therefore doubly worthwhile.
Thorough preparation really does make the biggest difference between frustrating experiences and successful photo sessions. Knowing the habits of your subjects and taking the weather, wind and lighting conditions into account will significantly increase your chances of success.
Your equipment does not have to be expensive to begin with. More important than expensive equipment is patient practice with simpler subjects at first. After all, you can refine your skills over time and expand your equipment if necessary.
Quiet, unobtrusive behavior in the field often means the difference between the perfect shot and the missed opportunity. You should avoid stressing animals at all costs – not only for ethical reasons, but also because relaxed animals show more natural behavior.
The technical aspects such as focusing on the eyes, suitable exposure times and well thought-out image composition will become second nature with regular practice. Nevertheless, you will initially produce more rejects than masterpieces – this is part of the learning process.
Above all, wildlife photography teaches us patience and humility. Sometimes I spend hours in the camouflage tent without taking a single usable photo. On other days, however, nature rewards me with magical moments that make me forget all my efforts.
My most important advice at the end: Enjoy the process! The hours of waiting, the intense observation of nature and the rare encounters with wild animals are at least as valuable as the photos themselves. Wildlife photography opens your eyes to the beauty and fragility of our natural environment – an experience that will leave a lasting impression on you.
