An interesting subject is needed for any wildlife photograph, but even the most interesting wild animal won’t make for a good photo if your composition and the animal’s body positioning are not compelling. Over time you will learn to train yourself to analyze a scene and consider the following before clicking the shutter.
Point of View – Get down to eye level to create a greater connection with your subject. It will create a more intimate experience better than standing and taking a photo of your neighbor’s pet over the fence.
Backgrounds – The background can add or detract from your photo, so choose wisely. A good background can greatly contribute to the image’s mood by its color, details, or purposeful lack of details.
Foregrounds – A clean foreground will help emphasize your subject, while a messy or distracting one will draw the viewer’s eye away from your subject. Sometimes all this involves is changing your position so you do not include a distracting element in the foreground that can take the eye away from your subject.
Eye Contact – Focusing on the animal’s eyes will help make an immediate connection with the person looking at your photo. It is one of the most important elements of any wildlife photo. While there can still be a compelling wildlife image without capturing the eyes, it is always a good practice to create the connection.
Body Positioning – Paying attention to subtle cues from your subject can help you predict its future movement. A bird of prey will poop before they take flight and a cheetah will crouch and tense their hind legs before they leap forward. These behaviors can be easily identified by doing a little research before your photography outing.
Whether it’s a backyard bird, a family pet, or local wildlife, get out there and take your photos. Then post your results on our Muench University Facebook page. Our pros will be waiting to offer helpful commentary, and we also encourage you to leave comments on each other’s images. Let’s have some fun with this one!
