How To Find Unbelievably Interesting Wildlife Photography Compositions

Wildlife photography is exciting. It can also be frustrating. Here is how to find interesting wildlife photography compositions every time.

Find Great Wildlife Photography Compositions

First, it's important to remember that great wildlife photography doesn't rely on luck. Too many photographers go out to the woods without any idea of what they're after. Of course, you're more than welcome to do this. However, relying on luck means fewer great photos. Therefore, follow these steps and you'll learn how to create great wildlife photos every time.

Know What Your Photographing

Before you go into the wild to capture wildlife, know what you're planning to photograph. First, know where you're going. Specific animals have specific places they prefer to be. Too, everything in the wild is seasonal. Therefore, if you're going to create great photos then you need to know what will be where when you're there.

If you're unsure of where to go read my article on finding great wildlife photography locations near you.

Smoky Mountain Elk

The elk that frequent the south-eastern parts of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park are a great example. They're easily found in great numbers in fall and winter.

That doesn't mean you won't have luck stumbling upon them at other times of year. However, if you're specifically setting out to photograph them going in the fall or winter sets you up for success.

Additionally, the elk are most often seen at dawn and dusk. Therefore, going out in the middle of the day in July may still work but your chances are better at sunrise in the fall or winter. Personally, I suggest going in the winter after the New Years visitors have left. Fewer people will also improve your chances.

Backyard Wildlife Photography Success

You don't need to travel to a national park to create amazing wildlife photography compositions. In fact, you're much better staying local. After all, you can get to know your own backyard more intimately. Learn as much as you can about the places you spend the most time - it will pay off!

Study Wildlife Behavior

Get to know what the wildlife you're finding eat. Too, find where they like to sit and groom. Ask where they find water to drink? If they're birds then they'll likely bath somewhere warm with slow but moving water.

Get to know their behavior. This will give you an incredible amount of insight into when they're about to do something that will result in a great composition.

Remember, it's not about luck. Instead, it's about knowing where to find the animals you're looking to photograph and understanding them. Learn their habits and behaviors. This will let you anticipate their actions. Do this alone and your wildlife photos will improve greatly.

Better Photos Require Patience

Patience brings you success much faster than luck. You've gotten to know where you're going and what wildlife you'll find there. Then, you developed your understanding of their habits. Now, it's just a matter of being ready for them to do what they're going to do.

Of course being ready for them doesn't mean they're going to do what you want when you want them to. This is why patience is critical. Waiting for animals to do something interesting takes time.

Rushed Wildlife Photography

I lead monthly nature photography walks. They're timed. This means we don't practice what I've preached above. However, when I'm out on my own I try my best to be patient. When I do, it pays off.

Many of us get really excited seeing specific animals. As a result, we will often snap away no matter what they're doing. First, don't stop doing that. After all, luck does find us sometimes. If possible, try to spend more time with the animal to work on your composition.

Wildlife Photography Framing

A huge part of getting great wildlife compositions comes down to the framing. Many of us will center our subject or use the rule of thirds. That's great, it really works well a lot of the time. This is especially true when we leave room in front of our subject for them to travel through the frame.

Beyond these tried and true methods here are some other ideas. Photos are easier for viewers to keep looking at if they're not aware of the frame. Therefore, try to frame your photo so that the subject is brightly lit. Then, try to place the sides or at least the corners of your image in darkness.

Composition That Tricks The Brain

Because what we see in real life isn't inside a frame we can keep people looking at our photos longer by tricking their brain. This is why we try to have the edges of the frame go dark.

Alternatively, you can "shoot dirty" using out-of-focus stuff near the edges or trees that employ a frame within a frame. This technique allows the viewer to be tricked into not looking beyond those areas. As a result, they don't notice that frame. This makes the photo feel more real.

Subject and Background Placement

Another thing I see beginners and hobbyists do is not think about subject placement. This is different than the rule of thirds. Placement in relation to the background is vital.

Subtle shifts in where your camera is can have massive impacts when you're using telephoto lenses.

Moving your entire camera a few inches in any direction can be the difference between a great and an okay composition. For example, see if you can create a halo effect around your subject by placing a bright spot in the background behind them.

Alternatively, see if you can move any branches or other distractions from behind them just by moving yourself a few feet left or right. Or, possibly try shooting from a higher or lower angle. Moving to reposition your subject within the background often has an outsized impact.

More Wildlife Composition Tips

There are so many more wildlife photography composition tips I could offer. However, many of those are the same composition rules and methods that apply equally to all visual art.

Therefore, I encourage you to study art composition.

Plus, remember, composition is how we arrange what we're communicating. Just like with language composition, you're giving people information. That information needs to make sense. Too, it needs to deliver the point you're making. Therefore, ask yourself what your composition says. Is there any question about it? Try to clean up that confusion (if you can).

Critique Your Wildlife Compositions

If you want to improve your wildlife photos then it really helps to critique your work. First, spend time with your photos. Ask yourself if there are things you could have done better. Then ask how you can try to employ those things next time. By raising awareness in our own heads we can teach ourselves to improve.

All that being said, go easy on yourself. Remember, critique is supposed to be a tool to help us get better. Therefore, it's not a time to beat ourselves up. Nor is it a time to make excuses. Be honest with yourself. However, also be fair.