Canonical URL: https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-tips-from-our-guides/wildlife-photography-shortcuts/ # 10 Shortcuts to Accelerate Your Wildlife Photography Published on October 17, 2026 [![One Of The Stellers Sea Eagles Of Hokkaido Landing On The Ice One Of The Species Featured During Our Japans Winter Wildlife Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/One-of-the-Stellers-Sea-Eagles-of-Hokkaido-landing-on-the-ice-one-of-the-species-featured-during-our-Japans-Winter-Wildlife-photography-holiday-1024x768.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/One-of-the-Stellers-Sea-Eagles-of-Hokkaido-landing-on-the-ice-one-of-the-species-featured-during-our-Japans-Winter-Wildlife-photography-holiday.jpg) Written by [David Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/guides/david/). ### Article brief Editorial article Published October 17, 2026 One of the things I have learned from years of photographing wildlife, both independently & while leading NaturesLens photography holidays, is that improving your photography does not necessarily require better equipment, more expensive lenses or even travelling to increasingly exotic destinations. Often, the greatest improvements come from making relatively small changes to how you approach a subject, interpret the light or anticipate what might happen next. I have photographed wildlife in everything from the tropical rainforests of Costa Rica to the frozen landscapes of [Hokkaido](https://natureslenscouk.1wp.site/discover/asia/japan/), & certain principles have proved useful wherever I happen to be. They are not shortcuts in the sense of avoiding the effort required to become a better photographer, but ways of accelerating the learning process by concentrating on decisions that make a genuine difference to the images you produce. These are the ten shortcuts I would encourage any wildlife photographer to adopt, whether they are relatively new to photography or have been using a camera for decades. ## How Can Understanding Light & Backgrounds Transform Your Wildlife Photography? The first shortcut is to start looking at the light before looking at the wildlife. It sounds almost too obvious, but I regularly see photographers become so excited by the appearance of a subject that they forget to consider where the light is coming from, what it is illuminating & how it will affect the finished photograph. In [Japan](https://natureslenscouk.1wp.site/discover/asia/japan/), for example, photographing [Red-crowned Cranes](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/red-crowned-crane/) around [Tsurui](https://natureslens.co.uk/specific-location/tsurui/) can be a completely different experience depending on the time of day. Early morning light filtering through the cold air creates opportunities for atmospheric images that simply do not exist when the sun is higher. Even the direction in which a crane turns its head can make the difference between a beautifully illuminated portrait & an image where the most important features disappear into shadow. [![A Lone Red-Crowned Crane Standing Against A Snow-Covered Hokkaido Background](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/A-lone-Japanese-Red-crowned-Crane-against-a-snow-covered-background-one-of-the-species-featured-during-our-Japans-Winter-Wildlife-photography-holiday-1024x768.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/A-lone-Japanese-Red-crowned-Crane-against-a-snow-covered-background-one-of-the-species-featured-during-our-Japans-Winter-Wildlife-photography-holiday.jpg) My second shortcut is to give the background as much consideration as the subject itself. A perfectly sharp bird against a distracting collection of branches rarely has the same visual impact as that same bird photographed against a clean, distant background. Quite often, moving a metre or two to one side, lowering the camera or waiting for the subject to move along a branch can transform the composition without changing any camera settings. This is particularly relevant when photographing tropical birds, where the rainforest can provide some of the most distracting backgrounds imaginable. On our [Birds of Brazil photography tour](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/brazil/birds-of-brazil/), the challenge is not simply finding colourful species, but positioning ourselves so that their plumage, the surrounding vegetation & the available light work together. [![A Magpie Tanager Perched On A Branch In Brazil](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/A-fantastic-Magpie-Tanager-perched-one-of-the-species-that-you-will-be-able-to-photograph-during-the-NaturesLens-Birds-of-Brazil-photography-holiday-1024x683.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/A-fantastic-Magpie-Tanager-perched-one-of-the-species-that-you-will-be-able-to-photograph-during-the-NaturesLens-Birds-of-Brazil-photography-holiday.jpg) One useful exercise is to examine the four corners of the viewfinder before pressing the shutter. Look for bright patches, intersecting branches & distracting highlights. Once you start doing this instinctively, you will find that your compositions improve considerably, often without changing anything about the subject itself. ## Why Does Learning Animal Behaviour Help You Capture Better Photographs? The third shortcut is to anticipate behaviour rather than simply react to it. Understanding what an animal is likely to do next gives you a considerable advantage, particularly when photographing birds in flight, hunting behaviour or interactions between individuals. Consider Steller’s Sea Eagles in [Hokkaido](https://natureslenscouk.1wp.site/discover/asia/japan/). When photographing them around [Rausu](https://natureslens.co.uk/specific-location/rausu/), having some understanding of how they approach food, alter their wing positions & prepare to land allows you to anticipate the moment when the bird might present its most impressive shape. You can establish your composition, maintain an appropriate shutter speed & begin tracking before the decisive moment develops, rather than desperately trying to catch up with something that has already happened. [![A Steller'S Sea Eagle Landing On The Sea Ice In Hokkaido](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/One-of-the-Stellers-Sea-Eagles-of-Hokkaido-landing-on-the-ice-one-of-the-species-featured-during-our-Japans-Winter-Wildlife-photography-holiday-1024x768.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/One-of-the-Stellers-Sea-Eagles-of-Hokkaido-landing-on-the-ice-one-of-the-species-featured-during-our-Japans-Winter-Wildlife-photography-holiday.jpg) The fourth shortcut follows directly from this: spend longer photographing individual subjects. One of the most common mistakes I see is photographers moving on as soon as they have obtained a reasonable image. There is an understandable temptation to seek something different, particularly when surrounded by exciting wildlife, but staying with a productive subject can be far more rewarding. When we photograph [Japanese Macaques](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/japanese-macaque/) at Jigokudani, for example, it is relatively straightforward to photograph a monkey sitting in the hot spring. The more interesting opportunities often develop when you remain in position long enough to observe the relationships between individuals, the expressions, grooming behaviour & interaction between adults & youngsters. [![A Pair Of Young Japanese Macaques Playing At Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/A-pair-of-young-Snow-Monkeys-or-Japanese-Macaques-of-Jigokudani-Snow-Monkey-Park-playing-one-of-the-species-featured-during-our-Japans-Winter-Wildlife-photography-holiday-1024x768.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/A-pair-of-young-Snow-Monkeys-or-Japanese-Macaques-of-Jigokudani-Snow-Monkey-Park-playing-one-of-the-species-featured-during-our-Japans-Winter-Wildlife-photography-holiday.jpg) A sightseeing itinerary might regard the encounter as complete once everyone has seen the monkeys. For us, that is often the point at which the photographic possibilities are just beginning. I would much rather return from a session with several genuinely different images of one species than dozens of similar record photographs of multiple species. Understanding behaviour makes that possible, while patience gives those opportunities time to develop. ## Which Camera Settings & Techniques Make Wildlife Photography Easier? My fifth shortcut is to configure your camera so that you spend less time thinking about the controls. Modern cameras are extraordinarily capable, but they also contain an enormous number of settings that can become a distraction when something exciting happens. I use Sony A1 II camera bodies, & one of the great advantages of a modern professional camera is the ability to customise controls for different photographic situations. Having autofocus behaviour, subject recognition & exposure adjustments readily accessible means I can respond quickly when a stationary subject suddenly takes flight. For example, I might be photographing a bird perched quietly in relatively low light, using a shutter speed appropriate for a static subject, when it suddenly prepares to launch. Being able to switch immediately to a faster shutter speed & suitable tracking configuration can mean the difference between capturing the action & missing it entirely. My sixth shortcut is to understand exposure well enough to make deliberate decisions rather than relying entirely on the camera’s interpretation. This is especially important when photographing wildlife against unusually bright or dark backgrounds. Snow photography in [Hokkaido](https://natureslenscouk.1wp.site/discover/asia/japan/) provides an excellent example. Depending on the metering mode & composition, a camera may render a predominantly white scene too dark, leaving snow looking grey. Exposure compensation can help, although the correct adjustment depends on how much of the frame is occupied by the subject & background. Equally, photographing a dark bird against bright water can require careful attention to retaining detail in the bird without sacrificing highlights. [![A Pair Of Red-Crowned Cranes Dancing On Snow In Hokkaido](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/A-pair-of-the-Japanese-Red-crowned-Cranes-dancing-on-snow-one-of-the-species-featured-during-our-Japans-Winter-Wildlife-photography-holiday-1024x768.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/A-pair-of-the-Japanese-Red-crowned-Cranes-dancing-on-snow-one-of-the-species-featured-during-our-Japans-Winter-Wildlife-photography-holiday.jpg) I encourage photographers to use the histogram, highlight warnings & electronic viewfinder exposure preview where available, but not to become completely dependent on reviewing every frame. Learn how your camera responds to the conditions, recognise when compensation is likely to be necessary & make the adjustment before the opportunity disappears. The objective is not to use more complicated settings. It is to make the technical side sufficiently familiar that your attention remains on the wildlife. ## How Can Positioning & Lens Choice Improve Your Images Without Buying More Equipment? The seventh shortcut is to change your shooting position before reaching for a different lens. Camera height, shooting angle & the relationship between subject & background frequently have more influence on the finished photograph than an additional hundred millimetres of focal length. I am particularly conscious of this when photographing birds around water. Getting lower can create a much more intimate perspective, bringing the viewer closer to the bird’s eye level while changing the apparent distance between the subject & background. Our photography around [Lake Kerkini](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/greece/) in [Greece](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/europe/greece/) illustrates this beautifully. [Dalmatian Pelicans](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/dalmatian-pelican/) are extraordinary subjects, but photographing them from an appropriate low position, with careful consideration of the water, distant shoreline & direction of the light, can produce images that feel completely different from those taken while standing above them. [![A Dalmatian Pelican Flying Low Over Lake Kerkini With Its Reflection Beneath](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/one-of-the-pelicans-of-lake-kerkini-flying-over-the-waters-of-lake-kerkini-with-it-reflection-beneath-1024x683.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/one-of-the-pelicans-of-lake-kerkini-flying-over-the-waters-of-lake-kerkini-with-it-reflection-beneath.jpg) The eighth shortcut is to stop assuming that maximum focal length always produces the best photograph. I frequently photograph wildlife with a 400mm f/2.8 lens, but there are occasions when a 70 – 200mm or 100 – 400mm zoom provides greater creative flexibility. A tight portrait can be wonderful, particularly when the subject has expressive eyes or interesting plumage. However, repeatedly filling the frame can leave you with a portfolio that lacks variety. Including more of the habitat allows the photograph to explain something about the animal’s environment, whether that is a [Red-crowned Crane](https://natureslenscouk.1wp.site/discover/asia/japan/) standing in a snow-covered landscape or a tropical bird surrounded by rainforest foliage. [![A Red-Crowned Crane Taking Flight Over The Snowy Landscape Of Hokkaido](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/one-of-the-red-crowned-cranes-takes-flight-over-the-snowy-landscape-of-hokkaido-photographed-during-the-2017-natureslens-japanese-winter-wildlife-photography-holiday.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/one-of-the-red-crowned-cranes-takes-flight-over-the-snowy-landscape-of-hokkaido-photographed-during-the-2017-natureslens-japanese-winter-wildlife-photography-holiday.jpg) There is also a practical benefit to selecting the right focal length before the action begins. A zoom lens can help when an animal approaches unexpectedly, while a longer prime lens may be ideal when working with more distant subjects in predictable positions. The important thing is to decide what the image needs to communicate before deciding how tightly to frame it. ## Why Are Preparation & Flexibility Two of the Biggest Shortcuts to Better Wildlife Photography? My ninth shortcut is to prepare for the photographic opportunity before it happens. Much of successful wildlife photography takes place before the camera is raised, whether that involves researching a species, understanding the likely light, checking equipment or choosing an appropriate location. When we design a NaturesLens holiday, we consider where the wildlife is likely to be, when it is most photographically productive & how long photographers need to make the most of an encounter. This is why our itineraries are different from conventional wildlife sightseeing or birding trips. Our objective is not to accumulate the longest possible species list, but to provide sufficient time with subjects to create varied, considered photographs. Preparation also extends to seemingly mundane details. Having batteries accessible during cold weather, selecting the correct lens before entering a hide & knowing how to adjust the camera without navigating several menus all reduce the likelihood of missing an opportunity. The tenth shortcut is to remain flexible when conditions change. Wildlife photography rarely follows a completely predictable timetable. Cloud cover can transform harsh light into beautifully diffused illumination, rain can create opportunities for atmospheric portraits & an unexpected change in animal behaviour can make a previously unproductive location suddenly worthwhile. In [Costa Rica](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/central-america/costa-rica/), for instance, rainforest light can change dramatically within minutes. Rather than regarding difficult conditions as an obstacle, I often look for subjects that suit them. Overcast conditions can be particularly useful when photographing birds beneath the canopy, where controlling bright highlights & deep shadows would otherwise be challenging. [![A Keel-Billed Toucan Perched On A Branch In Costa Rica](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Keel-Billed-Toucan-Perched-On-Branch-one-of-the-main-target-species-on-the-NaturesLens-Wetlands-Of-Costa-Rica-Photography-Tour.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Keel-Billed-Toucan-Perched-On-Branch-one-of-the-main-target-species-on-the-NaturesLens-Wetlands-Of-Costa-Rica-Photography-Tour.jpg) The same philosophy influences how we operate our [Japanese](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/asia/japan/) winter wildlife photography holidays. Returning to productive locations, allowing repeated sessions & adjusting our priorities according to conditions gives photographers opportunities that a tightly scheduled sightseeing itinerary might simply miss. Sometimes the best decision is to move. Equally, experience teaches you when staying exactly where you are is likely to produce something special. ## What Ultimately Makes the Biggest Difference to Your Development as a Wildlife Photographer? If I were to identify one principle connecting all ten shortcuts, it would be learning to photograph with greater intention. The more you understand why an image works, the easier it becomes to recognise the conditions that might allow you to create another successful photograph. I have seen photographers make enormous progress simply by becoming more observant. They begin noticing how the light changes across a subject, anticipating behaviour, questioning their shooting position & considering what a photograph might communicate beyond recording the presence of an animal. It is also worth spending time reviewing your photographs critically, not simply deciding which are sharp enough to keep, but understanding why certain compositions, backgrounds or moments are more successful than others. Look for recurring weaknesses, compare images from the same session & identify what you would change next time. That process can be just as valuable as another morning in the field. This is one of the reasons I enjoy leading small-group wildlife photography holidays. Having time to discuss images, consider alternative approaches & return to productive subjects allows photographers to apply what they have learned while the experience is still fresh. Ultimately, accelerating your wildlife photography is less about taking more photographs & more about making better decisions before taking them. Technical confidence, fieldcraft, patience & a willingness to experiment will serve you wherever you photograph wildlife, from a local nature reserve to the other side of the world. The wildlife will never be entirely predictable, & that is part of what makes photographing it so rewarding. What you can control is how well prepared you are when something wonderful happens. If you would like to keep going, my follow-up article, [10 More Wildlife Photography Shortcuts to Improve Your Images](https://natureslens.co.uk/more-wildlife-photography-shortcuts/), covers ten more shortcuts on focusing, depth of field, shutter speeds, composition & editing. ## Photography Tips From Our Guides - [Composition in Wildlife Photography - From Record Shot to Portfolio Image](https://natureslens.co.uk/composition/record-shot-to-portfolio-image/) - 10 Shortcuts to Accelerate Your Wildlife Photography - [10 More Wildlife Photography Shortcuts That Will Improve Your Images](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-tips-from-our-guides/more-wildlife-photography-shortcuts/) ## Related Reading - [10 More Wildlife Photography Shortcuts That Will Improve Your Images](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-tips-from-our-guides/more-wildlife-photography-shortcuts/) - [Composition in Wildlife Photography – From Record Shot to Portfolio Image](https://natureslens.co.uk/composition/record-shot-to-portfolio-image/) - [Composition & Creative Intent in Wildlife Photography](https://natureslens.co.uk/composition/creative-intent-in-wildlife-photography/) - [Trips That Make You a Better Photographer](https://natureslens.co.uk/choosing-a-wildlife-photography-holiday-company/trips-that-make-you-a-better-photographer/) **Related Trips:** [Birds of Brazil Photography Tour](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/brazil/birds-of-brazil/) **Explore by Country:** [Brazil](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/south-america/brazil/) **Related Species:** [Amethyst Woodstar](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/amethyst-woodstar/), [Atlantic Royal Flycatcher](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/atlantic-royal-flycatcher/), [Azure-shouldered Tanager](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/azure-shouldered-tanager/), [Black-cheeked Gnateater](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/black-cheeked-gnateater/), [Black-throated Mango](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/black-throated-mango/), [Blonde-crested Woodpecker](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/blonde-crested-woodpecker/), [Blue-naped Chlorophonia](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/blue-naped-chlorophonia/), [Brassy-breasted Tanager](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/brassy-breasted-tanager/), [Brazilian Ruby](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/brazilian-ruby/), [Channel-billed Toucan](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/channel-billed-toucan/), [Gilt-edged Tanager](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/gilt-edged-tanager/) & [Glittering-bellied Emerald](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/glittering-bellied-emerald/) - [![An Inquisitive Stallion Walks Up The Beach As Photographed During The Natureslens White Horses Of The Camargue Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/an-inquisitive-stallion-walks-up-the-beach-as-photographed-during-the-natureslens-white-horses-of-the-camargue-photography-holiday.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/2019/04/18/inspiring-white-horses-of-the-camargue/) ### [10 inspiring images of the White Horses of the Camargue](https://natureslens.co.uk/2019/04/18/inspiring-white-horses-of-the-camargue/) April 18, 2019 I wanted to share more images from our White Horses of the Camargue photography trip in September 2018 to give… - [![A Group Of Puffins On One Of The Headlands Photographed During The Natureslens Shetland Puffins Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/a-group-of-puffins-on-one-of-the-headlands-photographed-during-the-natureslens-shetland-puffins-photography-holiday.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/2018/11/17/shetlands-puffins/) ### [Photographing Shetland’s Puffins of Fair-Isle](https://natureslens.co.uk/2018/11/17/shetlands-puffins/) November 17, 2018 Fair Isle is a truly unique place to photograph Shetland's Puffins. It's unspoiled, natural & very remote, which brings me… - [![Bathed In Golden Light At The End Of The Day One Of Fair Isles Atlantic Puffins Emerges From Its Burrow Photographed On The Natureslens Puffins Of Fair Isle Photography Holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/bathed-in-golden-light-at-the-end-of-the-day-one-of-fair-isles-atlantic-puffins-emerges-from-its-burrow-photographed-on-the-natureslens-puffins-of-fair-isle-photography-holiday.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/2016/07/12/some-of-stuarts-images-from-their-recent-visit-to-the-puffins-of-fair-isle/) ### [Some of Stuart’s images from their recent visit to the Puffins of Fair-Isle](https://natureslens.co.uk/2016/07/12/some-of-stuarts-images-from-their-recent-visit-to-the-puffins-of-fair-isle/) July 12, 2016 Stuart has kindly sent in a selection of images captured on Shetland when they undertook the Puffins of Fair Isle… In this articleJump to section 1. [How Can Understanding Light & Backgrounds Transform Your Wildlife Photography?](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-tips-from-our-guides/wildlife-photography-shortcuts/#how-can-understanding-light-backgrounds-transform-your-wildlife-photography) 1. [Why Does Learning Animal Behaviour Help You Capture Better Photographs?](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-tips-from-our-guides/wildlife-photography-shortcuts/#why-does-learning-animal-behaviour-help-you-capture-better-photographs) 1. [Which Camera Settings & Techniques Make Wildlife Photography Easier?](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-tips-from-our-guides/wildlife-photography-shortcuts/#which-camera-settings-techniques-make-wildlife-photography-easier) 1. [How Can Positioning & Lens Choice Improve Your Images Without Buying More Equipment?](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-tips-from-our-guides/wildlife-photography-shortcuts/#how-can-positioning-lens-choice-improve-your-images-without-buying-more-equipment) 1. [Why Are Preparation & Flexibility Two of the Biggest Shortcuts to Better Wildlife Photography?](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-tips-from-our-guides/wildlife-photography-shortcuts/#why-are-preparation-flexibility-two-of-the-biggest-shortcuts-to-better-wildlife-photography) 1. [What Ultimately Makes the Biggest Difference to Your Development as a Wildlife Photographer?](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-tips-from-our-guides/wildlife-photography-shortcuts/#what-ultimately-makes-the-biggest-difference-to-your-development-as-a-wildlife-photographer) ### Author Written by [David Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/guides/david/). Next step ### Find your next wildlife photography holiday Browse small-group trips by destination, subject, season and photographic goal. [Browse Holidays](https://natureslens.co.uk/) ### Article topics ### Field notes by email New articles, trip reports and wildlife photography holiday announcements from NaturesLens. [Join The List](https://natureslens.co.uk/newsletter-preferences/)