Remember these tips when photographing wildlife:
• Zoom in using your camera lens to avoid disturbing wildlife
• Take photos from different angles to create an image.
• Don’t be afraid to photograph in all weather
• Get down to the same level as your subject.
• Be patient, still and quiet. Wait for the right moment.
• Don’t center your subject - use the ‘thirds’ rule.
• Remember to look up to find wildlife
• Frame your image with foreground.
• Reflections can create a calming/relaxing feel to an image.
• Always look to see where the light is, try not to shoot directly into the sun.
• Use fill flash to get rid of shadows.
• Take horizontal and vertical images.
• Wildlife Centers and parks are great places to find wildlife.
• Put up bird feeders/houses near your home to capture closer bird images.
Do you have a favorite wildlife photograph to send us? It might be featured on our Watchable Wildlife webpage or in an issue of Conservationist. Photos can be emailed to watchable@dec.ny.gov or mailed to DEC, Bureau of Public Outreach, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4500. Be sure to follow the guidelines for photos, which can be found in the Conservationist magazine’s contributors’ guide.
