AAA Photo Session: Wildlife

We’re wild about your wildlife photos! Flip through the slideshow below to see the creatures and critters that members photographed. Just like the bird Photo Session, this one did not disappoint.

Check our social media channels, where we will be sharing some of our favorites. Select photos may also be featured in an upcoming issue of Your AAA magazine.

Thank You for Participating!

Tips for Photographing Wildlife

Photographing wildlife is one of the most rewarding types of photography. There is nothing more exciting than capturing an animal in its element. But it could also be a challenge, requiring both skill and patience. Here are some of my top wildlife photography tips.

Pick the Perfect Lens

Animals are easily spooked by human presence and may run or act defensively. Because of this, you will want to have a telephoto zoom lens to capture wildlife safely from a distance. I recommend purchasing a lens that can zoom up to at least 200mm. If you want to be able to really zoom in, look for one that can go up to 400mm or 600mm.

Vary Your Focal Length

When I am photographing wildlife, I like to vary my focal length. I like to get some close intimate shots of details like teeth, paws, eyes, etc. Then, I take a wide shot that shows the wildlife in its environment.

Think Fast

Wildlife can be unpredictable, so it is best to be ready to click that shutter button at any moment. This means having a fast shutter speed. I recommend being over 1/1000th of a second for slow moving wildlife and 1/2000th of a second for fast moving wildlife. An easy way to ensure that your shutter speed is fast enough is to set your camera to shoot in shutter priority mode; this setting allows you to pick the shutter speed you want, and the camera adjusts itself accordingly.

Focus

It can be tricky to nail focus on a moving subject, but there are camera settings that can help you. I recommend setting your camera to continuous focus mode. Using this mode, simply focus on your subject and hold down the shutter button halfway; the camera should track the subject for you. Then, press the button down all the way when you are ready to take the picture. Some cameras have built-in animal autofocus that finds the animals eyes and locks focus.

Rapid Fire

When photographing a moving subject, I recommend having your drive mode set to shoot more than a single image at a time. You can set it up to rapid fire many shots at a time when you press the button. Luckily for us, we don’t have to process film anymore! But keep extra memory cards handy just in case.

Check out past AAA Photo Sessions and stay tuned for the next one, coming soon.

What is some of the most amazing wildlife you’ve had the opportunity to capture? Tell us in the comments. 

Beth Mancuso is a professional landscape and travel photographer.