Photo Tips
from Joel Sartore
1
Shoot early in the morning
or late in the day.
These times allow for the best light. This is also when many kinds of animals are at their most active and interesting.
2
Work all the angles.
Walk around your subject — be it a flower, a tree, or an animal — or 360 degrees to find the best background, then also go from a bird's eye view (up high) to a worm's eye view (low to the ground) to get photos that are fresh and unexpected.
3
In soft, beautiful light, use a tripod.
Do this especially when working at longer focal lengths. It's a very easy way to improve your images because it steadies your camera and allows you to be thoughtful about composition. If you don't have one and your subject is holding still, you can use your camera's self-timer function to avoid camera shake.
4
Study your subject, and have patience.
While nature can be unpredictable, some animals have routines just like people. Spending a little time observing what your subjects do and when they do it can pay off with much better photos.
5
Investigate your surroundings.
You don't have to travel around the world to view and photograph wildlife or flora. The variety of animals and plants right in your own back yard -- from insects to birds to amphibians and trees or plants - may surprise you.
6
Get Close.
Use a macro lens or your camera's macro setting to get extreme close-ups of plants to show how sophisticated and intricate foliage and flowers can be.
