Have you learned how to shoot wild animals?

Every animal is an elf on earth, they gallop through the wilderness and travel across the sky. Using the lens to record their figures, not only can you obtain excellent works one by one, but also can convey the concept of peaceful coexistence between man and nature to the world. In this issue of "Get the Tao", we will talk to you about the techniques of shooting wild animals and record these lovely spirits of the earth with images.
AF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR official sample photo
Photographing wild animals is a difficult task for ordinary people. Usually, they have to go to the wilderness in order to photograph them. It is not to say that they cannot be photographed in the city, but compared to the cages of zoos, nature is their home. Before going to the wilderness, you should choose clothing with better camouflage and protective effects, and pay attention to the wind direction when shooting. Try to choose to shoot in the downwind to avoid being disturbed by the animal's smell.
AF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR official sample photo
In order not to disturb the animals, telephoto lenses and large-aperture fixed-focus lenses are good choices. Experienced photographers usually choose to carry multiple telephoto lenses and large-aperture fixed-focus lenses to obtain different expressions. . The telephoto zoom lens is more convenient to use and can change the angle of view quickly; while the fixed-focus lens has a larger aperture, it can obtain a faster shutter speed and a higher success rate when shooting in low light.
AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR official sample photos
When shooting wild animals, the choice of focus mode and focus point is a noteworthy skill. If the subject is a bird, you can set the focus mode to AF-C and the focus area to wide-area focus. Because the background is usually cleaner when birds are flying in the air, it is more reassuring to give the camera the task of focusing.
AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR official sample photos
If you are shooting terrestrial animals, the choice of focus is different, and two methods are recommended here. In the first method, you can use the camera's 3D focus mode, and set the focus mode to AF-C, use the center point of the camera to "aim" the animal, and press the shutter button halfway or press and hold the AF-ON button. It will recognize the focused object and lock it, so you can shoot freely. This setting is more suitable for animals that like to run.
AF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR official sample photo
The second method can be set to single-point focus, and manually select the focus point to lock the animal. Usually, when shooting, the photographer is far away from the animal, and it is more hidden. The animal will not run away because of fright. With enough time for the photographer to prepare, this setting is suitable for shooting relatively stationary animals. However, it should be noted that no matter which of the above focus settings is used, if the lens has a focus limit button, remember to switch the focus range, which can reduce the error rate.

The above are some tips and knowledge for shooting wild animals in the wilderness. I hope you will approach the nature with awe and record the cute elves on the earth with the lens.