[Phlkxkbh]

I've been looking through Scribbly's awesome photos of various critters and there's a burning question forming in my mind.

Every time I see a critter doing something unusual or cute and before I even think about taking a photo, the critter moves! How do you guys do it??

This morning I saw a very wet bird standing on the clothesline, would have been a good shot... *sigh*

[Dkavtbek]

Persistence.

For every critter that poses nicely for the photo, there are dozens that skitter/slither/crawl/run/fly away before a shot can be taken.

[Biradallo]

There's a huge element of luck - being in the right place at the right time.

Then you've got to remember that for the one photo you see, there may have been twenty or more shots that the photographer wasn't happy with.

As CS says, persistence is the key. If your critter skitters, sit still and wait. You may not get another shot, but often you will and possibly an even better opportunity.

[Dkavtbek]

Point your camera at enough critters, one of them is bound to sit still for you.

Example - there are many types of dragonflies, and their name generally describes their behavior. (Darters, Perchers, etc) When you come to a pond with dragonflies, the first thing you notice is the dragonflies darting about. You wait patiently for them to land, but you'll be waiting a long time.

Then you notice the ones perched on reeds and branches. When you get near them, they fly off - but practice and persistence and a suitable stalking technique will often result in a good shot.

While stalking these, you may notice the smaller less flamboyant dragonflies hiding among the reeds. These are good subjects and I have on several occasions accidentally nudged them with the camera lens and they have ignored me.

And good bird shots often come from weeks/months/years of interaction with those particular birds and getting them used to your presence.

So getting good shots of animals requires you to pick your subject, practice your technique, and putting yourself in the right place at the right time, persistence, and paying close attention to what is around you.


And equipment. No use getting within feet of a nervous parrot if you don't have the equipment to make the most of the opportunity.

[antiggill]

sounds like it is probably best to start with slow moving stuff, sloths and the like.

[hablyShappY]

sounds like it is probably best to start with slow moving stuff, sloths and the like.

Or flowers. There's a chance that you might catch an ant or bee on the flower and then you can claim it was your intention all along.

Not that I would do that.

[warrgazur]

Most importantly, no matter what your equipment, be prepared. Have the camera on optimum settings so you don't have to waste time gearing up for the shot. And essentially, when you go for a walk always take your camera with you.

[zoppereurvito]

For insect photography I often find early mornings is a good time to get shots, particularly if there's been some rain overnight, or a heavy dew. Dragonflies for instance will often tend to sit still longer and allow you to approch them a bit closer. Same tends to happen with butterflies.

I don't have a good enough camera and lens to get good bird shots, 'coz I can't approach them close enough to fill the frame. That's when a bit of cheating can work by visiting places such as a botanical gardens, 'coz the birds there are often far more used to humans and will let you get up nice and close.

[zoppereurvito]

sounds like it is probably best to start with slow moving stuff, sloths and the like.

That's why I take more shots of plants than critters.