| Wild life pictures are of interest to all ages. If you intend | | | | same time. The shutter speed should be set at +-1/8. |
| to photograph wild life here are a few pointers: | | | | Focus your shot on the eyes. Take the shot steadily. |
| * Retake the shot if you haven't caught the eyes of | | | | Make sure that the background is simple and not |
| the subject satisfactorily. People naturally focus on the | | | | cluttered. This should ensure that the subject will be |
| eyes for expression. As far as possible, try to aim for | | | | prominent. |
| a good eye shot. | | | | * Using flash. Even if you're taking pictures in broad |
| * Telephoto lenses - great for wildlife pictures. As | | | | daylight, use the camera flash because it minimises the |
| you're dealing with wildlife, expect them to be wary | | | | shadows. Animals can be alarmed by the flash so be |
| and shy. Don't get up too close (100 yards away) or | | | | extra careful. Never use a flash behind a glass or else |
| else you'll frighten the animal. When animals are | | | | your shot will be ruined. With the glass reflecting the |
| comfortable in their natural setting, it is easier to | | | | flash, you'll end up with a white picture. |
| capture their natural behaviour. Telephoto lenses are | | | | * Try to take the picture at the perfect time and during |
| very useful because you can make it look as though | | | | the best light conditions possible. Wildlife photographs |
| you're taking pictures in the wild and not perhaps a | | | | are best taken when the sky is cloudy. Clouds will |
| zoo. A telephoto lens allows you to picture the animal | | | | diffuse sunlight and so it can eliminate shadows. Bear in |
| without fences by simply using 100mm of the lens | | | | mind the lower light levels and that you will need to |
| combined with wide aperture. This is possible if the | | | | adjust the shutter speed and ISO settings to get sharp |
| fence is dark in colour, but if it is semi reflective or grey | | | | and frozen actions in your images. |
| it might not. | | | | * Framing the shots on your computer can work |
| * A wide aperture assists in improving photos. When | | | | wonders with your photos. If you're not satisfied with |
| aiming at portrait shots of animals, use a wide aperture. | | | | the final output of the images, you can improve them |
| In this way you can blur out the busy background and | | | | on your computer by using the right editing software. |
| focus on the animal itself. Adjusting the aperture | | | | Cropping allows you to cut the photos as you wish; if |
| settings will also affect the shutter speed. Animals are | | | | you learn about this technique you can easily frame |
| usually more active early in the morning and late at | | | | the photos. |
| night. If you are able to properly adjust aperture and | | | | * Don't take pictures closing one eye. Keep your eyes |
| shutter speed, you can get excellent shots. | | | | are open so you don't miss a shot. |
| * To show or stop an action, you must adjust the | | | | * Anticipate the behaviour of the animal. If you can do |
| shutter speed properly. Taking pictures of animals in | | | | this you should be able to capture extraordinary |
| motion can be tricky and you need to act quickly. | | | | moments. Be on the alert so that if the perfect |
| Freezing the animals in motion, shooting at 1/500 is | | | | moment arrives you will be all set for it. |
| quite a problem and it will depend on the available light. | | | | * Always have a tripod with you so that you can |
| If you're using a digital camera, you need to adjust the | | | | mount the camera on it to keep it steady while |
| ISO. By adjusting it, the sensor will become light | | | | shooting. |
| sensitive and the shutter speed will be boosted at the | | | | |