How to Make Winning Wildlife Portraits

How to Make Winning Wildlife Portraits

By Jeff Wignall (The following is excerpted from Winning Digital Photo Contests, a new book by Black Star Rising contributor Jeff Wignall.)

"Getting your first close-up photograph of a wild animal is kind of like getting your first kiss; you’re often so flustered (not to mention grateful) at the opportunity and so satisfied by the conquest that you lose all critical perspective. "

"You’ve got the shot, and there’s no denying the evidence. But once the initial thrill has subsided, in order for your photography to grow you must apply a more discerning eye to your images, and find out how you can fine-tune the quality to a higher level."

Here is a checklist of important considerations:
Is the background simple and unobtrusive?
Does the animal’s pose look natural and refined?
Have you restricted depth of field in order to isolate the subject?
Is the animal positioned in the frame in an interesting way?
Does it seem alert and attentive to its surroundings?

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Jeff Wignall is a photographer and writer and the author of numerous books on photography, including The Joy of Digital Photography, The Kodak Guide to Shooting Great Travel Pictures, Kodak's Most Basic Book of 35mm Photography, and Winning Pictures. Check out Jeff's Photo Tip of the Day blog. in Art of Photography on November 3rd, 2009