Hobbies And Interests
Safety
Safety is always first when taking pictures of animals. This includes your safety as well as the animal̵7;s safety. As even the tamest of domesticated animals can become dangerous when frightened, always encourage a sense of calm while photographing animals. For wild animals, maintain a safe distance at all times. Getting too close can endanger you and upset the animals.
Tripod
Tripods are small stands designed to hold cameras and reduce the shake that often occurs when taking a picture with the camera in your hand. Using a tripod is ideal for many types of photography, including animal photography. Reduced camera shake results in clearer, sharper pictures, which is ideal when taking photographs of animals.
Animal Behavior
When photographing animals, anticipating behavior is often the key to capturing that special moment or rare action that makes the photograph so interesting. Before taking your photo, take a moment to study the behavior of the animal and notice any patterns in movement. After noticing an intriguing pattern, use anticipatory shooting to capture the moment.
Lighting
Plan to use lighting that will display the personality of the animal and result in a sharp and clear photo. When photographing outdoors, take advantage of cloudy days, as clouds are natural light diffusers that eliminate harsh shadows created by the sun and provide a soft and even light. For indoor pet photography, use light diffusers or create a natural light effect with studio lighting.
Multiple Photos
When using a digital camera, take multiple photos during your animal photography shoot. With digital cameras, you're able to choose the shots you want to print and discard the others. This allows you to capture the perfect moment without wasting film or incurring the expense of developing each picture. Bring an extra memory card and take as many photos as you can, using different camera settings and points of view.