Last Updated on January 18, 2023
Course Description
This course is ideal for anyone who loves animals. Whether you want to photograph them in your back garden or local countryside, a Zoo, Wildlife Park or Nature Reserve or maybe you are planning that once in a life time holiday?
This course will give you professional insights as to how to best shoot wildlife. Photographing the natural world can be both frustrating and immensely rewarding. Here is a chance not only to learn new techniques for greater enjoyment of your wildlife photography, but also an opportunity to have your images appraised by leading professional Heather Angel. Becoming an observant field naturalist will ensure you gain a closer approach to wildlife before they take evasive action. Whether in your own garden or in more remote locations, learn how to make the most of available light for taking wildlife portraits. Also learn how to meter high key and low key subjects. Understand when to use flash and how useful fill-flash can be for animals of any size. Learn when and how to get dramatic action shots of animal behaviour using fast shutter speeds and slow ones by panning the camera. Invest time working with baby animals, because although a challenge, it will be very rewarding. Learn how to use a house as a hide and about hide etiquette in public hides. Tips and hints for getting in close to minibeasts and also for photographing life in aquaria are included – with much more detail in my Macro course. Having found your target species, thought needs to go into how best to compose the shot and to select the most appropriate shutter speed and aperture. Discover how to get dramatic silhouettes at dusk and dawn and how to plan a photo story. Finally, learn how to edit images and to retrieve them at a later date. Learning outcome On completion of the 4-week course you will have a good all round knowledge about how to approach wild animals in their natural environment whether at home or abroad, as well as consistently achieving correctly exposed images, eye-catching portraits and arresting action shots – from beetles to large mammals.
Requirements
Equipment
For wildlife in habitat and wildlife portraits
Camera with a zoom lens so can stand back to take wildlife. A DSLR is not essential, but it will be easier for action shots because the focusing is faster.
For macro shots
Some means of getting in close – either with a macro setting on a zoom lens or a true macro lens for a DSLR camera.
A flash – either in-camera or a separate flash
Camera support – a tripod or monopod is not essential but could be useful if need to set up the camera and wait for wildlife to arrive/ behave.
Course outline
- Making A StartThis lesson covers how to approach wild animals using the equipment which is best suited for getting photographs of birds and mammals as well as macro shots of insects. There is also guidance on metering – including tricky subjects such as white birds in the snow as well as shots with large shadow areas. Examples of different types of lighting – front, side and back, including silhouettes – are all illustrated and explained. Finally, there are examples of how to best to frame different subjects so as to achieve a striking composition.
- Animal PortraitsTaking frame-filling animal portraits, whether large or small animals, requires care and thought about the lighting and composition We will look at ways to light animal portraits, including using fill-flash to in-fill shadows and gain a catchlight in a black eye surrounded by black fur or feathers. Your own garden can be a rich resource of wildlife subjects especially if a bird bath and a bird feeder are provided. If the feeder can be positioned near a window in the house, this makes a handy hide – especially on wet days! Finally, guidance is also given on how to photograph mini-beasts, including insects, frogs and toads.
- Action ShotsTaking action shots of birds and mammals – including baby animals – is more difficult than static portraits, but great fun when they work. Baby animals are particularly rewarding – whether playing on their own or with their parents or siblings. Action can be frozen by using a fast shutter speeed and in poor light it may be necessary to increase the ISO. Moving animals can also be captured in creative ways including panning the camera in the same direction as the animal is moving and by using a slow shutter speed.
- Nature Tamed and WildThis final week looks at taking wildlife in cities, collections and zoos as well as in wilderness areas. The pros and cons of taking captive versus wild animals is also covered. Advice is given for photographing animals in aquaria, how to compose images of wildlife in the habitat and points to look for when selecting a wildlife photo tour. Finally, ideas are given for shooting photo stories as well as keeping an open eye for a humorous wildlife shot.
How to Become a Wildlife Photographer
1. Getting Started in Wildlife Photography
Learn the Basics of Photography
Sweeping nature shots, gorgeous panoramas of giraffes grazing on tall trees, jaguars stalking its prey in the rain forest, and wild goats clinging to Himalayan cliff sides are all made possible through the talents and expertise of wildlife photographers. Great photos that appear in magazines, online and on TV aren’t just snapped by random passers-by on their cellphones but are rather the results of years of training in wildlife photography.
A successful wildlife photographer will have a natural flair for composition and a fluid command of the camera. But, turning those skills into beautiful shots that individuals are willing to pay for, requires a whole new level of mastery. You must understand the concepts involved, learn to build and maintain an ever-more-impressive portfolio, attain industry connections, and make time for continuing education.
Depending on an individual’s current level of expertise, he or she may choose to begin a wildlife photography career with formal photography training; either in a university setting or through a community college or arts institute. Online courses and apprenticeships are also possibilities. While in school, students have access to other types of classes, like zoology or animal behavior, which may help a prospective photographer better understand animal behavior. Obtaining this added knowledge may also make it easier to catch animals in their natural environments.
Moreover, aspiring photographers must develop the skills involved in shooting objects in motion. Blur photography is very different from taking pictures of people – who will willingly pose – and objects, which are stationary. While you can certainly take pictures of animals resting or sleeping, it’s more common to see them in action: pouncing on prey, running across fields or swimming amongst coral reefs. Capturing these moments with clarity requires a high degree of skill. As your abilities develop, you should start to incorporate blur photography, which is accomplished by slowing down the shutter speed. This is an indispensable skill if you plan to photograph animals in the wild.
2. Develop Fundamental Photography Skills
Get Comfortable Working Outdoors
Wildlife photography, like other types of photography, is an art. Like any art, it relies heavily on technique and practice. Sure, some level of innate talent is involved, but research into success and mastery has repeatedly proven that knowledge and consistent application are much more important than natural qualities.
Courses are readily available at two-year and four-year colleges, universities and private art schools. Training is also available through certificate programs. And, as with any chosen field, programs in photography vary. Certificate programs offer a basic background in photography. Associate degree programs combine general education courses with electives in nature or wildlife photography. At this level, a few courses available may include, color and black and white photography, two- and three-dimensional imaging, and digital editing.
If you decide to go on and earn a bachelor’s degree in photography, you may be able to attend a photography school that offers a concentration in wildlife photography. A bachelor’s program builds on what was learned previously and may include coursework in lighting and landscape options, media law and ethics, and portfolio marketing and management. A master’s degree usually takes an additional two years to complete, but often offer the flexibility to choose wildlife photography as a specialty. The coursework is extensive, but with a little hard work, a thesis project, and independent study options, graduates are well on their way to securing a career in this amazing field. Regardless, prior to choosing a school, decide on career goals, and look for a program that matches your needs.
The basic set of skills you’ll learn include developing an ability to control for different lighting conditions, adjusting shutter speeds and aperture to adapt to different animals and situations, and a basic knowledge of Photoshop and other software programs like Affinity Photo, Pixlr, and Acorn that allow you to adjust and edit your photos to bring them to life.
However, it isn’t only technical skills you’ll want to develop to be successful in this career. Wildlife photographers are often in the wild, which means you must have a basic set of skills to enable you to thrive during long, harsh, chilly, and hot expeditions. “Survival skills” might include the ability to communicate with native inhabitants, pack your gear and personal belongings securely and effectively, and to be patient while waiting for conditions to improve and animals to appear.
From there, you will build your portfolio, which requires an understanding of client’s needs. In some cases, you may build different portfolios for different clients – for example, individual collectors or magazines versus wildlife preservation organizations. At this point, it is wise to acquire some business smarts so that you can market your work effectively and for a fair price. Researching the market, and keeping tabs on trends is imperative.
3. Build a Portfolio & Market Yourself
Learn the Business Side of Photography
Becoming successful in the wildlife photography field depends on a few factors: your ability to take great shots, a stellar portfolio with dozens of spectacular shots, and a list of people who can help you achieve success.
There are a few people who can help. Magazines and websites specializing in photography may pay you for beautiful shots, as will wildlife and conservation organizations. In some cases, you may be kept on a retainer or even become a member of the staff. The best way to build these connections is to send emails with proof of your work or links to your website, and query the appropriate individuals.
Private clients may also be interested in your work. These are, of course, more difficult to find, as most collectors handpick the work they sponsor rather than advertising their needs. As such, you must make those people come to you. That means a fabulous website and a fabulous portfolio, and featuring your photos on social profiles, like Shutterstock, iStock, and BigStock that buy photos and showcase them on their sites for purchase. Be warned, however, it is very hard to make a living this way.
You can also reach out to bloggers, freelance journalists, or documentarians who might have need of still shots. And, while video requires a different set of skills, having knowledge in this area may also help land a job or gain a new client.
What is Wildlife Photography?
Photography, in general, is quite different from Wildlife Photography. In photography, you have advantages of stable shooting objects and a controllable environment in terms of light and props, Whereas, in wildlife photography, the shooting subject is not always stable. The environment is barely controllable and the capturing speed needs to be quick. Students are provided with in-depth knowledge of every aspect right from operating the camera to shooting during the night. The course depends heavily on practical knowledge so as to provide students with better learning and understanding.
The course is for wildlife enthusiasts who are willing to explore a career in photography and provides detailed creative and technical knowledge related to wildlife photography.
Wildlife Photography Courses in Delhi
Here are the top Wildlife Photography Courses in Delhi:
| Wildlife Photography Course | Institutes in Delhi | Fees |
| 4-week Wildlife Photography Course | Delhi College of Photography (DCOP) | – |
| Nature and Wildlife Photography Course | Delhi College of Photography (DCOP) | INR 17,500 |
| Diploma in Photography | Mod’art India | – |
| Travel, Wildlife and Landscape Photography Course | TGC Animation & Multimedia | – |
Wildlife Photography Courses Online
Want to learn wildlife and nature photography through online courses? Here are the best online courses in Wildlife Photography:
- Wildlife Photography Online Course by Wildlifephoto.com
- How to a Professional Outdoor and Nature Photography by Charles Borland on Udemy
- Ultimate Guide to Landscape and Nature Photography by Charles Borland on Udemy
- Wildlife for Beginners and Amateurs by Villers Steyn on Udemy
- Nature Photography by Tabitha Park on Skillshare
- Intro to Wildlife Photography by Emily Keen on Udemy
Wildlife Photography Courses Abroad
Here are the top Wildlife Photography courses abroad:
- Bachelors in Marine and Natural Photography at Falmouth University, UK
- BA Hons in Photography by University of Salford, UK
- BFA Photography by Massachusetts School of Art and Design, USA
- BA in Photography at Staffordshire University, UK
- BA in Photography at Budapest Metropolitan University, Hungary
- Bachelor in Photography, The University of the Arts, USA
- Bachelor of Photography, Griffith University, Australia
- BFA Photography by University of Melbourne, Australia
- MSc Biological Photography and Imaging by University of Nottingham
Wildlife Photography Course Subjects
The wildlife photography courses comprise of the following study areas:
- Ethics and Philosophy of Wildlife Photography
- Visualisation and Storytelling in Wildlife Photography
- Understanding Your Camera, Lenses and its Optimization
- Camera Modules: Focus, Lighting, and Speed
- Techniques for Capturing Shots
- Day and Light Shooting Aspects
- Shooting Practicals with Indoor Artificial Lighting
- Travelling Management and Expertise
- Essential Digital Workflow for Photography
- Logistics to Execute Outdoor Shoots
