Let’s discuss the essential discipline and habits required for successful wildlife photography, as highlighted by expert photographer Mark Dumbleton. These habits of highly effective wildlife photographers are advanced photographic techniques that elevate your imagery beyond basic settings and equipment.
Like any other genre of photography, wildlife photography demands considerable discipline. While knowing your camera, settings, and composition are essential skills that every wildlife photographer must acquire, some go just beyond them. Even if you visit the best locations or use the most advanced and latest gear, a lack of certain habits will leave you frustrated with your results.
In this video, Mark Dumbleton, one of the leading wildlife photographers from South Africa, shares seven tips that form part of the highly effective wildlife photographer’s routine.
Out of the seven, two tips resonated with me the most. Watch the video for the rest of the tips, which are no less important.
The first tip is about light and how top wildlife photographers chase it relentlessly before considering the subject. With examples, Mark shows how a skilled photographer considers various times of day and angles to create images with striking contrast and impact. Light is a major factor that adds depth to images and makes them more dynamic.
The second tip from Mark that I liked applies to any genre of photography but remains a crucial key to success in wildlife photography in particular because, as a photographer, you encounter various species of animals. This tip is about knowing your subject and environment. He emphasizes the importance of patience and understanding the behavioral patterns of animals. It’s not just about going to a game reserve and shooting; it’s about taking the best shots based on anticipated behavior and knowing which places to go to find the right action. This, however, comes not only with practice but also with learning about wildlife in general.
This video is full of gems and examples that are extremely useful for beginner and amateur photographers wanting to elevate their wildlife photography results to the next level.