Many of us use the holidays to spend some time in the peace and quiet of the countryside. We go to places where nature is still pristine and untamed. In such places we often see birds and animals which we cannot see every day. Photographing them may be a pleasure, but it is also a real challenge because wild animals do not let us members of the human kind come too close.
Most wild animals have a very well-developed sense of smell, hearing and sight compared to people, and they recognise us from a great distance, which gives them plenty of time to hide. That is why it is very important to be appropriately dressed for this type of photography. It is best to wear a camouflage military outfit which blends in with the leaves and the grass. Movements should be careful and quiet and the use of deodorants, lotions and cologne is highly discouraged. Where possible, we should move upwind.
Photography is a means of recording forever the things one sees for a moment.
Aaron Sussman
Lenses with focal lengths of over 200 mm are more or less a must while it is recommended to use lenses as long as 300mm or more. Some of the latest digital camera models with 10-12x zoom and image stabilisation are particularly well-suited for this type of photography. In addition to bringing objects closer, the right optical equipment with stabilisation allows you to shoot without a tripod, which is a great advantage because when you are on the move setting up a tripod takes a lot of time – time during which the animal will most likely run away.
It is better to use high shutter speeds and increase sensitivity. Using covers is also an option. Naturally, you can hide behind some bush or land form, or you could use a camouflage canvas or another material. Before hiding, we must research the natural passages of the animals. These could be near natural bodies of fresh water where they go to drink or near any feeding troughs placed by men.
Click on any photograph in the gallery below to zoom in.
