Digital Camera Fiend - A Camera Review

Most professional wildlife photographers put a modern twist on Teddy Roosevelt’s famous saying when shooting wild birds and animals: “Speak softly and carry a big lens.” It’s not unusual to see a serious wildlife photographer lugging big, bulky 500mm or 600mm lenses in their quest to get tight shots of a wild animal.
But what about the budding wildlife photographer or hobbyist who doesn’t have thousands of dollars to spend on heavy camera equipment? You can still get intimate wildlife shots if you know what to look for and apply a few simple tips.

1) Find Places where animals are not afraid of humans. And I’m not talking about your local zoo. Beaches are a great place where humans and wild animals often co-exist. In La Jolla Cove near San Diego, harbor seals and their pups sprawl out on the sand just feet from onlookers. Also you’d be amazed how tame the wildlife is in places that see a lot of tourists, like the rainforests of Costa Rica. I once walked down a trail in Manuel Antonio National Forest next to a wild deer!
2) Fast Framing. Moderate zoom lenses like a 28-105mm or 55-200mm allow you to tailor the framing to the scene quickly. Most of these new lenses come with image stabilization or vibration reduction, meaning you don’t necessarily need a tri-pod to ensure crisp, focused pictures–and that gives you more mobility.

3) Don’t be afraid of short lenses. Sometimes you can get great perspective by going wide with a short lens. Use the spectacular sunrises or sunsets and pristine surroundings as backdrops. Capture large flocks of geese as they soar overhead.

4) Get Down. Go low (on your belly, if need be) and move slow. It’s a little extra effort, but you might be surprised just how close you can get to your subject.

5) Be Careful! These are still wild animals after all. Use common sense. Is a great picture worth getting trampled by an angry moose or bitten by a venomous snake? Know your subjects and be respectful. You’re in their house.

These were compiled from a variety of sources, including writings from bird photographer Arthur Morris.