Animal And Insect Pictures – How To Take Great Pictures

Often when we think of wildlife we think of animals far away from home, but many people take amazing wildlife photos in their own backyards.

Photographing Wildlife with Feathers or Fur

Depending on where you live, there are many ways to turn your yard into a wildlife haven for squirrels, raccoons, birds, deer, frogs and other critters.

While it’s true that we rarely do wildlife a service by feeding them from our cupboards, if you follow the wildlife attraction and sustainability tips from the National Wildlife Federation (they’re online) you can feel good knowing that you are giving back to wildlife.

You will also be creating an environmentally friendly landscape as well because what is good for the animals is also good for the environment.

Take a bit of time to read about the habits of the species you want to photograph and you’ll find it much easier to capture them with your camera. And you will be better able to avoid attracting potentially dangerous predators into your yard. You should also look at the code of ethics for professional nature photographers on the North American Nature Photography Association’s website (nanpa.org).

Just as with photographing animals, when you take a picture of a furry or feathery wild critter, follow these guidelines:

• Use natural lighting to your advantage
• Fill the frame with the subject
• Focus on the eyes
• Shoot from various angles
• Capture personality

Photographing Insects

Wildlife photography also includes the miniature world of insects. Honeybees, dragonflies, butterflies, bumblees, spiders and even snails are all popular subjects.

Like animals, photographing insects can be challenging. Here are some tips from the pros to help:

• Like with larger wildlife, it will help to know your subject’s patterns of behavior. Do the butterflies frequent one flowery shrub more than others? Then stake it out and wait for the subject to come to you. Make sure to be ready!
• If you want to get the best pictures of small creatures resting, use macro mode (or a macro lens) and fill the frame. Your camera manual will give you details on how close your macro mode will work. If you stay within the recommended range and hold your camera very steady (using a tripod) you will get some nice sharp shots.
• Unless the insect is very still, use sports mode or flash to freeze action.
• Many types of insects are sensitve to carbon dioxide so don’t breath directly on them otherwise they will quickly fly or run away. So when you lean in close for your close up, hold your breath! However, there are some insects like beetles that will freeze when you breath on them.
• Keep in mind some insects and spiders pack powerful, even deadly venom, so know your bug before approaching.
• Try to take pictures in early morning or twilight because insects slow down with cooler temperatures and it will make it easier to shoot a picture. Insects can see shadows very well so don’t approach from the same direction as the light casts.

Photographs of wildlife can make for beautiful fine art, the type that you’ll want to put in a picture frame and display proudly and give as gifts. When framing your favorite animal or insect pictures, always go with a simple wood or metal picture frame in colors that complement your picture. Try to avoid eye catching brightly colored frames like red picture frames that will work to distract the viewer from your photograph. Instead look for natural tones like wood picture frames. You can also use your animal or insect pictures in photo crafts like in calendars or greeting cards. There are simply lots of wonderful things you can do with your beautiful animal and insect pictures so have fun capturing the wonderful world of nature.