Wildlife Photography How To

In the leadup to the holiday season, secure a fantastic deal on Slik tripods and heads. With up to $150 off the normal price on carbon fiber tripods, and up to $50 off select professional ball heads, this is your chance to stock up on quality camera support gear from Slik at a bargain-basement price.

Not everyone has an opportunity to go on safari to photograph rare and wild animals, but most of us have a zoo nearby which is often the next best thing. The problem is that most images shot at the zoo look like were shot at the zoo.

(Editor’s Note: Exploring Light is a monthly Shutterbug column featuring tips, tricks, and photo advice from professional photographers in the Canon Explorers of Light and Canon Legends education program. This month's column is by Adam Jones with tips on photographing wildlife and landscapes in our National Parks.

There are many forms of wildlife photography, from capturing images of big cats in the Serengeti to shooting colorful birds at a local park or animal sanctuary. While the choice of gear often depends upon the particular assignment, many important techniques are the same.

The great thing about bird photography it that it’s a passion you can pursue year-round. But let’s face it: Capturing superb images of our feather friends can be difficult unless you know a few tricks.

Nothing spoils an otherwise great photo more than a really unattractive or distracting background. And that holds true whether you’re shooting portraits, macro, flowers, or certain types of wildlife images.

Some photographers shoot landscapes, while others concentrate on wildlife or travel imagery. But you can take your outdoor photography to the next level by being less of a purist and combining two or three of these disciplines in your work.