Wild things

From perfecting fieldcraft skills to focusing on fastmoving subjects, four pro photographers offer expert advice on how to create your best wildlife photographs yet

- Chris Weston

1 Shoot in aperture-priority mode

I almost always shoot at the extremes of the shutter speed range: fast shutter speeds for freezing action, slow shutter speeds for creating a sense of movement. By shooting in aperture-priority mode, I can very quickly change my f/number, let the camera adjust the shutter speed, and rapidly switch from my fastest available shutter speed to the slowest, without worrying about whether there's sufficient light, which means I never miss a shot.

2 Don't take record shots

Before you press the shutter, ask yourself, 'How would I caption this image?' If the only answer you can come up with is the species name - a tiger, a bear, an eagle, etc - stop! Wait for a better shot. A picture of a bird singing, for example, is far more compelling than a photograph of the same bird with its beak closed.

3 Anticipate the action

About 90% of my job is biology. Knowing your subject gives you ideas for pictures. It also enables you to anticipate the action, so you're more likely to capture the moment when it comes.

4 Use the light

Look for lighting situations that add mood and drama. Backlighting is great for silhouettes and contre-jour. Soft lighting can add an ethereal mood. Side lighting, with its stark contrast and deep shadows, adds tension and visual energy.

5 Set focus mode to continuous

In continuous focus mode, the camera constantly adjusts the point of focus to keep track of the subject as it moves. When movement is predictable, I restrict the number of autofocus (AF) sensors used by the camera to track the subject, as this speeds up AF performance. When movement is unpredictable, such as with a bird in flight, I set all the AF points to track, as this gives the best chance of staying focused on the subject.

ESSENTIAL KIT