Wildlife Photography How To

Get ready for an overdose of cuteness, because today is National Puppy Day, and in celebration we’re going to give you some fun and easy photo tips that are not only great for puppies and older dogs, but work with kittens or whatever pets you own.

If you’re new to bird photography or dissatisfied with the images you’ve made in the past, this quick tutorial is for you. In just about nine minutes you’ll learn how to avoid five common mistakes that most beginners make.

Wildlife photography provides a number of unique challenges, not the least of which is locating the subjects you intend to shoot. One often has to deal with difficult light, whether it’s midday sun, deep shadows, or impending darkness when some species are most active.

Sometimes you come across a great scene, apart from the fact that two or more objects in the frame are too close together for an ideal composition. In some situations it’s possible to rectify the problem by changing your vantage point, but if that’s not possible there’s a quick editing fix.

Photographing birds can be challenging for inexperienced shooters, whether the subjects are stationery or in flight. There are focusing and exposure details to sort out, and composition can also be tough.

Welp, that was an interesting year! But let's move on, shall we, because as the old expression goes, "may you live in interesting times" is both a blessing and a curse. 2020, aka annus horribilis, was also an unusual year in the photography world, which is reflected in our annual rundown of Shutterbug's most popular stories of the year.

There’s nothing like a bit of motion blur or slightly missed focus to spoil an otherwise great shot. But with the eight tips below, and a little practice, you’ll be able to shoot sharper wildlife photographs every time.