PHOTOS THAT INSPIRE PHOTO WORKSHOP

Chapter 2. Animal and Wildlife Photography

Photographing animals and wildlife — whether it's a domestic cat, a lion in the wilderness, or an iguana — requires patience, timing, and skill. It's difficult to pose them and they won't sit still for long. However, you can get some great shots by learning how to anticipate their behavior. The first thing that you want to decide is what you want to say about the animal you're photographing. Is it the lovable face of your puppy, the protective nature of a mother hen with her baby chicks, or the regal look of a mountain goat perched on a cliff? Whatever it is that you want to capture, look for the lighting and composition that enables you to emphasize this desired quality. And, you don't always have to travel to exotic locales like the Serengeti Plains of Africa to find good photo opportunities. Animal subjects can be found as close as your own backyard or the local zoo.

"Lucas"

© Jennifer Chipperfield

Alberta, Canada www.chipperfieldphotography.com

As mentioned earlier, getting down on the animal's level tells us something about their world. The photographer successfully portrayed innocence as well as a bit of "little lost puppy" in this photo. I also like the mood that's created by the sepia tone. Another element that makes this image strong is the use of selective focus, which creates a somewhat shallow depth of field and renders the railroad ...