Photographing animals can be really fun, but very tricky too. Working with animals is an art in itself. With tame animals, you can retain a degree of control over the final footage. But with wild animals, it's a case of having to be in the right place at the right time. And having the right gear too, of course. In this Selection Guide, we explain different types of animal photography and list the top essential gear.
If you're new to animal photography, the best option might just be to stick close to home. Naturally, you'll need to have a pet, a garden that birds visit, or kind neighbours willing to lend you their pet. At home, in your own environment, you can take it at your own pace whilst becoming acquainted with your camera and all its functions. And you don't need a top of the range camera either. A compact camera or even a smartphone will do nicely. If your garden has plants that attract insects, you could even try your hand at macro photography. Often, the most popular photos on social media are cute puppies or comical cats, so who knows, maybe it's your turn next!
We think these three products are super handy when photographing your pet, or other animals found in and around your home. The Canon G7X II has an extremely light sensitive lens with an f/1.8 aperture. This gives your photos a stunning bokeh effect, where the background is blurred, like in the illustrative photo. In its turn, the Panasonic TZ90 is really useful when you want to capture a little bird on a branch of your neighbour's tree, as this camera has a whopping 40x zoom! If you like taking snaps with your smartphone, the Black Eye Combo is what you're after. You can even capture tiny insects in your garden with it.
The great thing about a zoo is that the "wild" animals aren't too tricky to find, and they can't get away from you either. And there are lots of different species to choose between. A day at the zoo will be far cheaper than going on safari, and you get fantastic results to boot. A good zoom lens and polarisation filter are essential kit items. The glass of enclosures can often cause irritating reflections, but a CPL filter can get round this. A fence in the foreground can disappear into the blur as you zoom in. Unfortunately, man-made objects can often mar your picture. Take close-ups to avoid this problem.
The following products are all you need to take stunning photos at the zoo. The Canon 2000D is ideal for amateurs, and its compactness make it easy to take with you on the go. With 24 megapixels you can take sharp photos and share them quickly and easily on social media. The Sigma 18-300mm lens gives you ample scope. So ample in fact that you won't need to take another lens with you. You're now ready to capture whichever animal you choose, from close-up or at a distance. Don't have a Canon camera? No problem! This lens is compatible with several brands. As explained above, a polarisation filter is a must-have to counteract reflections.
If you love hiking and heading out into the countryside, you'll be able to capture amazing wildlife with the right gear. Nigh on all nature reserves are freely accessible, so friendly on the wallet. You could put the money you save towards a good telephoto lens, as you won't be able to take a photo like this one using a standard lens. Whether you want to capture a bird in a tree or a deer in the distance, you'll need a good zoom. Finding woodland wildlife can be really tricky, in fact there's a high chance you'll come home empty-handed. The best time to head into the woods is at sunrise. In any case, the rising sun imbues wonderful, warm light.
In the woods you have to be able to work quickly. With the Sony A6400 you'll never miss a moment again. You see, this mirrorless camera focuses automatically in 0.2 seconds! Better yet: the camera's artificial intelligence ensures ultimate object tracking with its state-of-the-art algorithm. What does that mean exactly? Well, a deer darting past will stay in sharp focus so all you need do is take the photos. This medium telephoto lens has a good zoom range and thanks to its image stabilisation gives reduced motion blur. To reduce this even further you could consider taking a monopod along with you. This provides additional stability, without having to compensate on manoeuvrability.
You could say this is the most select form of wildlife photography, as over and above expensive gear and a costly journey, you'll also need the necessary know-how to be able to take the perfect shot at the perfect time. This is the photographic genre you'll need if you're looking to capture, say, the Big Five in Africa, or reptiles and other amazing wildlife in the Amazon. It can be done with a compact camera too, of course. However, we do advise using more top end gear to guarantee the best results on your memorable trip. A robust camera that can withstand all the elements and a powerful telephoto lens are absolute must-haves. We also suggest taking extra batteries with you, as you'll be shooting all day, or even over several days.
A favourite camera among professionals who work in all weather conditions is the Nikon D5. This DSLR camera, that yields ultra-sharp photos time after time, has been Nikon's blockbuster model for many years now. The possibilities this camera has to offer are almost too prolific to mention here, but rest assured, a stunning high resolution like the photo above is guaranteed. Another blockbuster is the Panasonic S1. This full frame mirrorless camera features ultra-fast autofocus and animal recognition A.I. software, so you'll never have to miss one of the Big Five. Combine cameras such as these with a powerful telephoto lens, such as the Sigma 150-600mm, and you're set to go. Stabilisation in both the lens and body is really handy if you're looking to shoot from afar out of a safari vehicle.
Oceans, rivers and coral reefs are brimming with amazing species, a lot of them as yet undiscovered. Taking photos on land is challenging enough. There are so many factors to take into account, and that includes not forgetting to always have your camera shoot-ready. Being underwater adds a whole new dimension; diving (or holding your breath for long periods of time). It could be said that underwater photography is one of the trickiest forms of animal photography. Learning to dive takes time, not to mention having to find the marine life in a short amount of time. You can of course take a photo whilst snorkelling with your action camera, but top-quality underwater photos involve a great deal more than that.
As you're underwater, you'll want a camera that is very lightweight but that offers outstanding performance. The 42.4-megapixel Sony A7R III has fast autofocus, and with an ISO up to 32,000, is the ideal camera for underwater. Every single detail of the marine life will be visible. The high ISO comes in super handy, as light disappears very quickly the deeper you dive. Operate the camera underwater using the AquaTech Elite II housing. Should you require additional light, try an external flash or LED light, such as with the SeaLife DC2000 camera. This complete set provides you with everything you need in the water.
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