Twelve tips for animal photography

Twelve tips for animal photography

“Which one of my photographs is my favorite? The one I am going to take tomorrow.” This is a quote from Imogen Cunningham.

Many people will recognise this. The truly motivated photographer is always thinking about the next image they will make. That image will be different, better, more meaningful, sharper, more adventurous – you name it.

To inspire your next animal photo, the Kamera Express team – with help from a few photographers – shares 12 tips. Before you dive in, we want to stress one thing: practise as much as you can.

Every great photographer will tell you: practice makes progress. Trial and error, just doing it, experimenting, falling and getting back up. So get out there!

Tip 1. Choose the right camera settings

When photographing birds, shutter speed is the first thing that matters. Birds are fast, so you need a fast shutter speed to freeze the motion. Want to capture movement instead? Then opt for a slower shutter speed. Besides shutter speed, a fast autofocus system is also essential.

If the camera doesn't focus quickly enough, you'll still end up with blurry photos despite the fast shutter speed. So always set the autofocus to 'continuous' mode and select multiple focus points, so the camera keeps tracking the bird as it moves. Want a calm background? Choose a wide aperture to create beautiful bokeh.

Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Platforms such as Digifoto, National Geographic and Zoom offer plenty more information on the subject.

Tip 2. Do your research online and get inspired

A tip from Jan-Joost Snijders: “If you browse various websites and Instagram accounts, and search with a clear goal (for locations, say), you'll find that inspiration comes quickly.

My biggest hero is David Yarrow. His black-and-white photos, which he almost always shoots from a very low vantage point, really appeal to me. He perfectly captures the menace and power of, for example, a lion. I find it fascinating to look at his projects and images. I learn a lot from them, and above all they make me really enthusiastic. I just want to get out there myself as soon as possible!”

Looking for inspiration too? Lose yourself in the work of the wildlife photographers we feature on our Who to follow page.

Tip 3. Change your perspective

Work at eye level (with a macro lens), at the same height (lie down yourself if the animal is lying down), or try shooting from a bird hide (and capture natural shots of birds in their own habitat).

In short: switch perspectives to add variety to your images. So don't wear your best clothes when you're working outdoors. Be prepared to shoot lying in the grass, on the roadside or, in the worst case, in a (not too deep) ditch. You have to think like an animal to photograph one well. Anything for a great shot!

Tip 4. Get creative with styling

Get creative with styling. You'll get better results with unexpected items. Pets, for example, often look cooler in human outfits (usually children's and toddler clothes) than in an animal costume.

You can also use props: accessories, hats, flowers or whatever you like. Keep in mind that animals move around and will quickly lose an accessory. You simply have to seize the moment and capture it fast. A tip: avoid fragile items and take your time with your shoots.

Tip 5. Embrace unexpected moments

Embrace unexpected moments. If something goes wrong, ask yourself: what would work? That's how you find creative solutions.

Sometimes reusing a background, accessory or other item works really well. The less-than-perfect version can lead to a surprisingly cool result.

Tip 6. Make it a real portrait

Animals are more like people than you might think. If you frame the head and neck, you get a lovely effect: suddenly the animal looks like a person.

You see the character and expression in the face, just as you would with people. One dog looks stern, another playful and disarming.

Tip 7. Avoid clichés

You know the ones: those standard cute animal snaps. Somehow people think that's the way to photograph animals. Instead, show an animal as it really is.

Capture their character and unique traits and you'll get a far more interesting image.

Tip 8. Get to know the animal

Get to know the animal you're photographing and make a connection. You'll see what it does and doesn't like, what gets it excited and what calms it down. Then put that knowledge to good use.

The result: relaxed or thrilling images, with an authenticity that leaps off the screen.

Tip 9. Reflect

Make sure you've mastered the technique, and realise that the real art of photography lies elsewhere. Reflect! If you don't dare admit your mistakes, you're blind and will stay blind – you might as well be shooting in the dark. Look critically at your own work and learn from it.

That way you keep training your photographic eye. The more practice, the better.

Tip 10. Focus on the eyes

Focus on the animal's eyes so you can properly capture its gaze and expression. Beginners sometimes end up with the wrong part of the photo in focus – they focus on the nose. But don't forget the eyes: they say so much, in animals too! Make sure they're clear and sharp.

Autofocus features can help here, such as Sony Animal Eye Auto Focus.

Tip 11. Improvise

It helps to think in advance about how the day or shoot might go. Make a (rough) plan, but bear in mind that animals are unpredictable. Sometimes you need a plan B.

Improvise where needed. Use the materials you have to hand, be creative and see how you can still achieve a great end result.

And then that one small mistake, or that setback, suddenly turns out to be the gateway to an innovative way of thinking – and an original end result.

Tip 12. Choose a suitable background

Don't forget that it's important to choose a suitable background deliberately. A calm, even background often works best. A busy background distracts from the main subject.

In wildlife photography, it's great to show the animal's natural habitat. You can deliberately shoot from further away so the surroundings are clearly visible.

There are countless possibilities. Think of it as a game: how can you give the animal its place in the bigger picture?