Skip to content
Cheetah. © Stephanie Foote

Cheetah. © Stephanie Foote

Ten wildlife photography tips for beginners

Explained

In celebration of World Photography Day, we are sharing answers to some common wildlife photography questions using the expertise of our in-house photographers Morokot Long, Sophie Hart and Stephanie Foote. Whether you’re a complete beginner or are looking for tips to improve your wildlife photography, we cover the fundamental basics on lenses, lighting, settings and more.

How can I find wildlife in my area?

Before you even think about photographing nature, you first need to know where to find wildlife. These tips can help you find wildlife to photograph:

  • Get a field guide for your local area.
  • Spend time getting to know a specific location, ideally locally so you can visit regularly.
  • If you are visiting a new location, collaborate with local specialists to gain insights into the best time and places to focus on.
  • Research the species or habitat you are photographing.
  • Join community groups to share knowledge.
  • Keep a record of your wildlife sightings so you can identify animal behaviour patterns and be in the right place at the right time.
Nudibranch © Morokot Long / Fauna & Flora

Nudibranch © Morokot Long / Fauna & Flora

Nudibranch © Morokot Long / Fauna & Flora

What shutter speed is best for wildlife photography?

The best shutter speed for wildlife photography depends on what you are photographing, the light available, and the weather conditions.

As a general rule, when taking photos handheld, you should set your shutter speed to double your focal length to avoid camera shake and achieve a sharp photo.

Fast shutter speeds, such as 1/200 or faster, are best for:

  • Photographing fast-paced actions or animals that are moving quickly.
  • Photographing plants that are blowing in the wind.
  • Bright sunny conditions where there is a lot of light available.

Slow shutter speeds, such as 1-30+ seconds, are best for: 

  • Showing the passage of time where water is moving through a landscape, for example a waterfall or ocean waves washing between rocks on a beach.
  • Dark conditions where you don’t have a lot of light available.
  • Photographing the stars in the night sky.

These rules are subjective, and you can flex them for creative purposes. For example, by combining a slower shutter speed with a camera movement you can create an unusual panning shot where the animal remains sharp, and the background becomes blurred from the motion.

Grey Seals. © Stephanie Foote

Grey Seals. © Stephanie Foote

Grey Seals. © Stephanie Foote

Wildebeast. © Stephanie Foote

Wildebeast. © Stephanie Foote

Wildebeast. © Stephanie Foote

What aperture is best for wildlife photography?

  • A narrow aperture (for example f/16) is best for landscapes or any image where you want everything in the frame to be crisp sharp
  • A wide aperture (such as f/2.8) is best for wildlife portraits or any image where you want the background to be soft

The aperture you use will also depend on how much light you have available. In low light, for example on an overcast evening, you will need a wider aperture. But if you are shooting on a cloudless day in bright sunshine, you will need a narrow aperture.

Southern stingray. © Sophie Hart

Southern stingray. © Sophie Hart

Southern stingray. © Sophie Hart

Red and white crab. © Stephanie Foote

Red and white crab. © Stephanie Foote

Red and white crab. © Stephanie Foote

What time of day is best for wildlife photography?

Dawn or dusk tend to be the best times for nature photography due to the soft ambient light. These are known as the ‘golden hours’ and will often give you stunning results.

Not only is the light great during these hours, but it is often the time of day when many animals are most active.

Dawn comes with additional benefits if you are interested in photographing insects. Before the the sun warms them, many insects are sluggish and can be spotted resting on plants. Early morning is a great time of day to photograph wildlife in order to achieve crisp, sharp images with the use of a tripod.

Ultimately, the best time of day will depend on the wildlife you’re hoping to see, and when it is most active – so it’s important to research the behaviour of the wildlife you’re hoping to see.

Is wildlife photography harmful to nature?

Photographing wildlife can cause disturbance, but if you follow best ethical practice the impact is minimal. Here are some best practice guidance points on how to behave around wildlife:

  • Don’t corner or chase animals.
  • Be mindful of noise disturbance and using your flash.
  • Do not cause damage to the habitat/environment you are in.
  • Ensure you comply with any applicable wildlife protection laws.
  • Do not geotag images of animals in a way that may reveal their precise location and potentially put them in danger.

How does wildlife photography help nature conservation?

Wildlife photography is a fantastic tool for nature conservation. It bridges the gap between science and art and helps to overcome language barriers caused by technical terms or scientific jargon. Wildlife photography shows our impact in a compelling and emotive way and can generate change in the following ways:

  • Encourage people to take an interest in nature and create ambassadors for our environment.
  • Draw attention to important issues that are out of the public eye or happening in remote locations.
  • Confront negative animal stereotypes. For example, there can be human-wildlife conflict with sharks, but photos giving an insight into their lives can help promote coexistence.
  • Draw attention to environmental crises. For example, images of animals or habitats suffering because of pollution, biodiversity destruction or the climate crisis can cause an emotional response that makes people act.
Lemon shark. © Sophie Hart

Lemon shark. © Sophie Hart

Lemon shark. © Sophie Hart

Seahorse in plastic. © Morokot Long

Seahorse in plastic. © Morokot Long

Seahorse in plastic. © Morokot Long / Fauna & Flora

What composition should I use when photographing wildlife?

Zebra. © Stephanie Foote

Zebra. © Stephanie Foote

Rule of thirds

This is a ‘rule of thumb’ used by painters, designers and photographers alike, where you split your frame into thirds, both vertically and horizontally, and place a subject at an intersection. Many cameras allow you to add the rule of thirds as an overlay on your image.

Dolphins. © Sophie Hart

Dolphins. © Sophie Hart

Rule of three

Photographing three plants or animals in a row.

Sunbird. © Stephanie Foote

Sunbird. © Stephanie Foote

Natural framing

Use objects or plants in the natural environment to frame your image. For example, here the foliage and flowers frame the sunbird nicely.

    Zebra. © Stephanie Foote

    Zebra. © Stephanie Foote

    Rule of thirds

    This is a ‘rule of thumb’ used by painters, designers and photographers alike, where you split your frame into thirds, both vertically and horizontally, and place a subject at an intersection. Many cameras allow you to add the rule of thirds as an overlay on your image.

    Dolphins. © Sophie Hart

    Dolphins. © Sophie Hart

    Rule of three

    Photographing three plants or animals in a row.

    Sunbird. © Stephanie Foote

    Sunbird. © Stephanie Foote

    Natural framing

    Use objects or plants in the natural environment to frame your image. For example, here the foliage and flowers frame the sunbird nicely.

What angles are best for wildlife photography?

Eye level or lower is the best angle when photographing animals. Eye contact can help viewers form a connection with the animals you photograph and increases emotional impact. This angle also helps avoid a messy or busy background. You can also achieve some amazing shots from other angles, for example by photographing an animal from above.

When photographing plants, don’t be afraid to get creative. You can achieve some really interesting shots from a worm-eye view, looking up at the plants from below. Photographing plants from their level almost always creates shots that are more interesting and intimate than those captured looking down from above.

Great hammerhead © Sophie Hart

Great hammerhead © Sophie Hart

Great hammerhead © Sophie Hart

How do I become a professional wildlife photographer?

While some employers might like you to have qualifications, it’s definitely possible to become a professional wildlife photographer without any formal education. You will, however, need perseverance, patience, and the willingness to put in a lot of hard work. Here’s just a few ways you can make money with your wildlife photos:

  • Selling your photos as prints or on stock library websites
  • Running workshops or photo tours
  • Selling your photos to magazines, newspapers or books
Nudibranch © Morokot Long / Fauna & Flora

Nudibranch © Morokot Long / Fauna & Flora

Nudibranch © Morokot Long / Fauna & Flora

Southern stingray. © Sophie Hart

Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter

Sign up today and you’ll receive a weekly update about endangered species from around the world.

You’ll get all the latest news, stories and updates, discover how you can make a difference, and stay in the know about some of the biggest conservation events.

You can unsubscribe at any time.

"*" indicates required fields

Southern stingray. © Sophie Hart