| -link"> | | | | the subject and using your largest lens. This is a |
| Wildlife appears in the most unexpected places, | | | | very easy technique. Moving closer ensures the |
| even in your own backyard. To create a natural | | | | subject fills as much of the frame as possible. |
| looking photo, there are some simple ways to | | | | Your largest lens (or the largest zoom on your |
| eliminate a distracting background and capture the | | | | lens) narrows the field of view in a photo so that |
| illusion that your photo was taken in the wild. | | | | the focus in on the subject, not on the |
| Wildlife photography is such an inspirational field; it | | | | surroundings. |
| is easy to see why so many photographers, both | | | | The extra advantage of a telephoto lens is that it |
| amateur and professional, become fascinated by | | | | has a naturally small depth of field. This means |
| this rewarding pursuit. | | | | while your subject is in focus, everything in front |
| Choosing a good subject for a wildlife photo is | | | | and behind is a blur. So not only does the |
| never difficult. The variety of characters in the | | | | telephoto lens reduce the amount of background |
| animal kingdom provides a never-ending source of | | | | that is visible in your photo; what you can see |
| material. Even better, some of the best subjects | | | | should be completely out of focus. |
| can be found in the cities, even in our own | | | | The final step to eliminate a distracting |
| backyards. You don't have to be an intrepid world | | | | background is to open the aperture as wide as |
| traveller to enjoy a satisfying hobby as a wildlife | | | | possible. This is simple photography theory; a wide |
| photographer. | | | | aperture produces a narrow depth of field. So if |
| It can be a real challenge to capture a natural | | | | you are already using a large lens, and you add a |
| looking photo in a suburban setting. If you can | | | | narrow aperture as well, you reduce your depth |
| eliminate any man-made distractions from your | | | | of field to its absolute minimum. Now you should |
| photo, you can create the illusion of an image | | | | be able to produce an almost three dimensional |
| captured in a totally natural environment. | | | | image, with your sharply focused subject |
| A bad background can really spoil the impact of a | | | | emerging from a totally out-of-focus background. |
| good wildlife subject, but how do we avoid it? Of | | | | As you can see from the simplicity of these |
| course these days there are plenty of people | | | | guidelines, it is easy to reduce the distraction of |
| who would just edit it out using a computer, but | | | | an unattractive background. It doesn't take fancy |
| (believe it or not) most people still prefer to rely | | | | equipment or a diploma in photography. All it takes |
| on their camera skills rather than on software. | | | | is a little extra effort, and understanding how to |
| Here are some simple tips to help you eliminate a | | | | use the camera you have. |
| bad background from your wildlife photos. | | | | Now consider all the situations where these tips |
| The first thing to do is simply position yourelf to | | | | can improve your photos. When taking photos at |
| find the best angle to take your photo. Imagine | | | | in your backyard, at the zoo or out in the street, |
| you are trying to photograph a bird in a tree. | | | | you can use these simple methods to create the |
| From one angle, you might be able to see power | | | | illusion that they were taken in the wild. Even if |
| lines or the roof of the house in the background. | | | | your background is not that ugly, it can provide a |
| If you move to a better angle, you may be able | | | | distraction from the main subject. By putting the |
| to capture the green foliage of the tree as your | | | | background out of focus, it becomes a soft |
| background instead. | | | | palette of colour that makes the subject really |
| This may seem obvious, but one reason so many | | | | stand out. |
| photos fail is because the photographer doesn't | | | | The greatest thing is, these are techniques you |
| bother to make this small extra effort. | | | | can try out right now. With digital cameras it |
| Your second goal is to try to reduce the amount | | | | costs you nothing to practice - so get out there |
| of background that is visible in your photo. This | | | | and start snapping! |
| can be as simple as getting as close as possible to | | | | |