If you want to develop your skills as a photographer or have better photos of animals, you should take inspiration from photography experts like Bruce Weber Photographer. Although taking photos may seem very easy, it takes a lot of effort and practice to make them perfect.

Here are some tips for taking better photos of animals to help you out in your work.

Use a Long Lens

When you’re photographing any kind of subject, using a long lens will greatly increase the impact your images have. The length of the lens you use determines what elements are in focus, how much distortion you get, and the perspective that your images have. You can achieve an intimate feeling by having a close subject with a long lens.

When shooting animals, it’s important to use telephoto lenses to capture them from far away. Since animals are naturally inclined to flee from danger, you won’t get very close to them if you photograph them on foot.

Use a Tripod and Cable Release

If you want your images of animals to be as sharp as possible, you should use a tripod and cable release. Unfortunately, even the highest quality lenses aren’t always able to give maximum sharpness, especially with a long zoom range.

Ensuring that your camera is as still as possible helps increase the sharpness of your images and reduces any blurriness that might result from camera shake. You can also use a remote shutter release to trigger the camera from a distance to not scare away the animals with your presence.

Carry a Flashlight

When you’re photographing wildlife, it’s important to have the ability to see in low light conditions. You’ll typically want to take your photos at dawn or dusk when the sun is setting, and orange hues naturally illuminate the sky. With this kind of lighting, it can be difficult to get clear shots, but a flashlight will allow you to see through the darkness and get undistorted images.

Use a Teleconverter Lens

A teleconverter lens is a secondary lens that increases the magnification of your camera’s primary lens. It can be used with any primary lens, and it typically screws directly onto the front of the original lens. It’s usually used to capture subjects further away, but it can also be useful for photographing animals because it allows you to get closer without physically approaching the animals.

Use an AF Assist Lamp

Many cameras have a built-in AF lamp that can help with auto-focusing in low light conditions. This is especially helpful for photographing animals that move around a lot and can’t be approached.

In order for the AF lamp to work well, it needs to have a clear line of sight, so place your camera accordingly if you’re using an external one. If you’re unsure where the best place for the AF lamp is, position it close to the lens and move it around until you get the best results.

Use a Fast Shutter Speed

If you’re photographing animals in motion, it’s important to use a fast shutter speed. The rule of thumb is that your shutter speed should be equivalent to 1/x focal length, where x is the length in millimeters of your lens. So if you’re using a 200mm lens, your shutter speed should be 1/200 seconds.

However, this rule only applies if the camera is stationary. If the camera or subject is moving, you’ll need to use a faster shutter speed to stop it. You can find out your best options by experimenting with different speeds and seeing what gives you good results.