Photography Technique - Top tips on spring wildlife photography

Photography Technique - Top tips on spring wildlife photography

Spring is the ideal season to get out and explore the countryside in search of exciting wildlife photo opportunities. Every corner of Britain's bursting with life.

One of the keys to successful wildlife photography is to know your subject and where to find it. Understanding some of the fundamentals of animal behaviour will help you locate the best spots for wildlife, save you time and mean that you're better prepared when opportunities arise. Look for traditional spawning pools for frogs and toads, fox earths in hedgerows or favoured fields for hares and rabbits. Get up before daybreak and search your local countryside - this is the time when many animals are active.

Due to their larger size and, in some cases, ease of approach, it's possible to photograph animals with anything from a big zoom compact up to a top end digital SLR. Unless your keen to pursue wildlife photography seriously then it's best to make the most of the gear that you already own and concentrate on subjects that you can tackle easily. For example a telephoto lens of 105mm is fine for frogs and toads as well as deer, hedgehogs, small mammals and lambs. Animals that can be more nervous, such as rabbits, hares, foxes and badgers, usually require a telephoto of around 300mm or longer.

To capture any action shots you'll need a maximum shutter speed of 1/250th second or faster, as well as a lens with a quick focusing speed - although these features aren't essential for stationary subjects. A high-speed continuous frame-rate is a useful feature, although this can be distracting for some animals. A quiet shutter release can be more of an advantage when shooting wildlife.

Good field-craft skills are a wildlife photographer's biggest asset and it's well worth spending time researching your subject. Most animals have regular or seasonal routines - whether this is feeding, courtship or raising their young, In addition to honing your skills and knowledge there are a few techniques to help you get you up close with some of the more elusive creatures.

Photographic hides can be useful for animal photography but they're not as effective as you may think as most animals rely on their acute sense of smell and hearing rather than sight. Rather than setting up a hide carry some lightweight camouflage. Some form of scent blocker can also work or try using a natural odour such as lavender. Also, avoid using deodorants, perfumes and aftershave - and wear the same outer clothes. This helps animals become accustomed to your smell and they may begin to accept your presence.

Putting food out on a regular basis can be a good way of attracting some species such as badgers, foxes and hedgehogs. However, make sure you use appropriate foods such as cat or dog food and unsalted peanuts. Avoid sweet stuff and place the food at a regular time each evening or very early in the morning.

Once you've got your subject lined up in the viewfinder you need to consider your shooting options. Exposure shouldn't be too much of a problem, as most animals are fairly neutral in tone so you can shoot in full Auto or Aperture Priority mode using average metering. Pale subjects such as lambs can be tricky to expose correctly - meter from the grass instead. Frogs and toads in water can also lead to problems because of reflections - again, take an exposure reading from a nearby mid-toned area if possible. If your camera has a histogram facility and highlight alert, check them regularly. Reviewing your pictures in the field's a great way to overcome exposure problems and also aids compositional ideas. With modern cameras that have a central focusing point there's a tendency to place subjects bang in the centre of the frame. Try to avoid this if possible and place the animal off to one side with space in front of the subject.

Select an appropriate format - landscape or portrait to suit the shape of the subject to emphasise form and try to get in close for full frame portraits. These images work best with the subject face on, looking directly at the camera.

Deer Pictures
Deer give birth in spring so now is the ideal time to visit a deer park to photograph a deer park to photograph females with their fawns - as always, early morning and late evening are best. It's possible to shoot with a 105mm lens but, ideally, you'll need a 200mm or longer telephoto. Try to photograph deer in open areas with even neutral lighting and avoid heavily wooded areas. Park deer are generally approachable but they will be more wary with their fawns so don't walk directly towards them. Take your time and make regular stops to allow the deer to settle. As they become accustomed to your presence they'll relax. Watch out for interesting behaviour such as fawns suckling from their mothers. Keep your lens trained on small groups and always be ready to hit the button.
Adam Coupe is pro commercial photographer specialising in commercial photography, architectural photography and architectural interior photography for a wide range of organisations that need to project their products, people or brand in a vibrant way see for the full architectural photography and commercial photography portfolio : http://www.adamcoupe.com

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