Photography in the Wild

Wildlife photography is a very demanding job. Many people become photographers because it's their passion, while others get into the profession to survive. It's a popular saying that "The bigger the risk, the higher the return", making wildlife photography a decent source of income. Not many photographers are willing to come out of their comfort zone and take some life-changing risks.

This is why the number of photographers in the fashion industry is much bigger than that of wildlife picture fanatics. The few wildlife photographers in the business are usually driven by passion and adventure since most of them are travelers. Maybe it's true that nothing beats getting paid to do something you love.

A wildlife photographer has no control over anything except his camera. Everything from how animals move to the light and climatic changes can't be controlled. You have to be able to make multiple decisions in a short time.

Wildlife photographers are quick to decide about the camera settings they would like for a particular shot while also keeping in mind some effects to spice up the photo, for example, the blue effect. They might as well be the tourism industry's superheroes because they look for the perfect shot that can attract people to a place.

Even for the professionals, wildlife photography is a challenge where education and experience only play a small part in the rush to get the perfect shot. It takes a different level of creativity to perfectly take pictures of different wild animals and birds because all these creatures pose different threats whenever a photographer approaches their habitat.

One minute you're shooting a beautiful bird peacefully holding on to a tree, and the next, you'll be trying hard to focus your lens on a running cheetah that is hunting. Such experiences pair adventure with fear, which perfectly describes the unpredictability of wildlife photography.

This type of photography sector is challenging, but it's interesting to know how these challenges compare with the personal fulfillment it comes with.

Normal that you want to take a picture of an animal, but do you have any idea where you are going to find it? To find some wild animals, you might need to wait long hours to see them.

You shouldn't forget that some animals only appear during dark hours, eventually making it difficult for photos to be taken in the wild. Imagine yourself restlessly searching for a creature while clearly knowing that it has the capability of hurting you.

An even more annoying scenario may come into the picture where the animal shows up, but the lighting is not perfect for the shot. To be an efficient wildlife photographer, you must take a good picture in the worst conditions possible.

You can't be a photographer without gear, which makes it necessary to protect equipment from damage caused by accidents or hazards like climate change.

There's a high possibility of getting sick from moving through forests in harsh weather conditions. You can't do much to prevent this, given your body will need time to adjust to a new environment.

Sometimes you just can't get as close as you'd like to an animal no matter how good your gear is. The reason might be the harm that animal could cause or the mere fact that something unexpected is blocking you from getting closer.

In such situations, you'll need to find creative ways of getting what you want from a safer distance. Taking great pictures in the wild requires a combination of good equipment and talent.

Sadly, not every gifted photographer is lucky enough to have the best equipment for the job. Particular cameras are better at capturing moments in motion than others, which justifies their high prices.

Unlike other photographers, professionals in this field don't have enough time to adjust camera settings when the main moment arrives. They always have to be prepared and anticipate an animal's next move.

This anticipation comes from your experience in the field. Because there are millions of wildlife attractions globally, wildlife photography is all about traveling. An ambitious photographer will go out of his way and travel to the wildest places for the best shots. Who knows if he's going to come back home with the next Nat Geo Wild cover?