12 Great Online Tutorials on Wildlife Photography

By Mike Panic on 18 Jun 2010 in Guides[ 2 Comments ]

Shooting wildlife can be some of the most exhilarating photographic experiences of your life, it can also be downright frustrating and boring. Wildlife photography doesn’t need to happen on a safari in Africa, you can do it in local parks and wooded areas, but there is a lot to know about approaching the area, choosing your gear, setting it up and waiting for the wildlife to come to you, then actually exposing each shot.

Photo by Jan Tik

Because this specific field of photography has so much to learn, we’ve found 12 great online tutorials to help you with with your wildlife photography (in no particular order).

There is no one better then the other tutorial or tips guide here, they are all valuable. Perhaps this is why we love the Internet so much; information has been set free. Imagine the time spent in libraries, bookstores or waiting for that monthly magazine to show up to get the information, most of it outdated, to start in this niche of photography. Moreover, the number of high quality articles and tips being generated by amateur photographers who actually shoot and aren’t just paid to shoot means more information is available to those who want to learn.

Photo by mikebaird

Our advice, read them all! There is never too much knowledge, take as much in as you can. Also, if you have a favorite tutorial or have written your own, leave a link in the comments. Feel free to share some of your wildlife photos in the comments too!

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2 Comments

Donald Osborne:

I have never been bored or frustrated while shooting wildlife!

June 18, 2010 at 9:26 pmReply
Craig Nash:

Bird Photography is my thing as it were and the opportunities are everywhere. There are dedicated bird hides on reserves the world over. Whether it is Miranda in New Zealand, Broome Bird Observatory in Northern Australia. RSPB Hides at various reserves in the UK. Bird hides in Kruger National Park. Or walking the boardwalks in reserves in Florida. All these tend to put you close to photographing birds. This was taken at a RSPB reserve.

You can also photograph the birds in your garden or backyard. To do this it is best to have some form of birdfeeder which can attract the local bird population. You then can put logs or some form of vegetation nearby hoping the birds land on it to get your shot. Here is a Goldfinch landing on some dead plant.
Try and set up the vegetation so that it has a clean background.
With Bird Photography it is always important to think about the background as much as the bird itself.

I always carry a camera with me wherever I go so that I can capture a shot at any time. It is surprising how often you are driving along and there right beside the car a bird pops up and you can get a close shot.
Here’s one of a Stonechat that landed on a post right next to the car.

Another place that is good for birds is the beach. It is amazing how close that you can get to some shorebirds if you move towards them carefully. I took this of a Wrybill in New Zealand and it was at some points within the minimum focusing distance of the lens. So that I had to back away from it.

Bird Photography is a great part of wildlife photography and generally easier than getting closer to animals. Give it a go!!

June 21, 2010 at 5:13 amReply