Quote:
Originally Posted by kurtwall
Without intending to do so, I seem to have developed a taste for wildlife photography. It's easy enough to do when the critters pose for me (gulls on beaches, for example) but that's the rare case. Usually, they see/smell/hear me coming and head Somewhere Where I'm Not ©.
It strikes me that to get decent photos of the uncooperative members of the animal kingdom, I have to be patient (sit, become part of "nature," and wait) and, of course, put myself in places where there is likely going to be wildlife. What I'm looking for is tips/hints/cluebats for how to get more, better, varied, and closer wildlife shots
Thanks!
Kurt
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Kurt, you basically have to think and act like a hunter.
First you have to learn the habits of the game your after...............read everything you can about them and their habits.
Scout from a distance and find where the animals are at. Watch their movements , often they will do the same things every day. Patern their movements..........then get yourself in a position where you can get close and wait for them to show up.
Wear camo if needed..........wash in unscented soap and deodorant. Wash clothes in unscented soap as well, with no drier sheets.
Go to walmart and get a wind detector bottle of powder(found in the hunting section). It is a small bottle of unscented powder that you puff in the air and you can see how the wind is blowing. Many game animals will walk into the wind or quartering into the wind. Position yourself down wind of where you think they are traveling.
Buy a hunters ground blind so you can hide easier. Works very well. You can set up your tripod and stay concealed inside.. You can pick up a cheap blind for about $50. If not you can cut some brush from the area ---sit next to a large tree and place some brush in front of you to help conceal your location.
Alot of animals won't run when they see you in a car............if there are areas you can drive close to game, you can get some really good shots out of your car.
Go to places where the animals are use to people...........parks...golf courses....zoo....etc.
Shoot in early morning and later in the evenings. The softer light makes a big difference on the quality of your photos.
Hope this helps............good luck.