Photographing animals - the 5 best tips

Photographing animals is more difficult than taking pictures of people: they cannot give instructions to create a perfect situation. We give you the best tips for wildlife photography.

1. The right equipment to photograph animals

You probably know it from pets: animals are not as easy to play with as humans. Wild animals in particular are usually very shy and cannot be photographed so easily.

• For this reason, it is best to take a telephoto lens so that you can take pictures of the animal from a distance.
• If you use telephoto lenses, it is usually also worth taking a tripod with you. This gives you a stable and calm camera position and you can concentrate on the animal.
• You don't normally need a flash because the light is sufficient at the right time of day and looks more natural.

2. The right lighting ratio

If you are not photographing pets where you can create your own lighting situation, you are dependent on the right daylight. The following points should be noted:

• A distinction is made in sunlight between hard light when the sun is perpendicular to the earth (at noon) and diffuse light in the morning and evening. So that you do not get hard shadows, it is best to take pictures in the morning and afternoon or in the morning and evening.
• In winter you can often take good photos at lunchtime as the sun is not perpendicular to the earth at this time of the year.

3. Bring a lot of patience

With wild animals in particular, it is very important that you bring enough time and patience with you. You cannot plan when the animals will come. So that you don't scare the animals, you should go alone if possible. So you can act more inconspicuously.

• So that the photo safari does not become a pain, you should choose comfortable shoes and comfortable clothing.
• Depending on what you have in mind, it may even be worth packing a small camping chair.

4. Animal photography in the zoo

With animal photography in the zoo there is the additional problem that you cannot influence or change the enclosure and the surroundings of the animal. Here, portrait shots of the animal are usually recommended. Also, always take photos at the animal's eye level - just like humans.

• It's not the amount that matters: better specialize in a few animals and do it well there than simply "taking" all the animals. So stay longer at the enclosure and look for the typical behavior of the animals.
• At the zoo, you must always try to avoid signs and fences in the photos. Such objects disturb the picture. In addition, you should not take pictures through glass panes, but rather create a clear view of the animal.

5. Find out about the animals

Find out in advance about the animals you want to photograph. This gives you a better chance of capturing the animals' natural behavior.

• With the help of appropriate feed and sufficient patience, you may even be able to attract an animal and know exactly where the animal is. That means you can adjust and align your camera beforehand so that you don't miss the perfect moment.