Wildlife photography is an exciting and challenging genre that tells the timeless story of the connection between humans and animals. It can also push our technical and creative skills to the very limit, yielding striking and beautiful results. This article takes a deeper look at what wildlife photography is, how it can be approached and what makes a successful image. It also details the equipment that can unlock various creative considerations, plus we’ll also hear from some professional Pentax wildlife photographers to who share thoughts and advice. Remember, wildlife photography doesn’t have to mean safaris in far-off locations, because once you start to explore, you may be surprised to discover the wildlife that's waiting to be captured around every corner.

Ready to take your wildlife photography further? Here’s some tips, tricks and to think about that can help you level up your images.

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• Think about what you need from a camera, stay true to your own vision. Focus on the camera that's right for you. It could be the sensor size, how it feels in your hands or having an optical viewfinder could be a deciding factor. Try not to get too distracted by features that could be futher down the list of priorities.
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• Keep on top of photography fundamentals. An undertanding of aperture, shutter speed and ISO is a must, as it's these adjustments that are most important when it comes to correctly exposing your images. With this knowledge you can adapt to different lighting conditions and achieve the desired depth of field making it more likely to get the shot.
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• Choose a camera that you can rely on. Reliability and battery life are features that can be crucial. It could be that you find yourself travelling in remote locations where it may not be possible to quickly recharge batteries. Think about what conditions you'll be shooting in, sometimes it's extreme conditions that can lead to that magial shot, so weather sealing could be a key consideration here.
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• Long focal lengths. Lenses like the DA 150-450 mm or DA 55-300 mm are often used in wildlife photography, but a 70-200 mm or even 18-135 mm may be sufficient depending on the subject.
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• A stable tripod (or monopod) can prove very useful. Especially for longer focal lengths where the image is highly magnified, even the smallest of hand movements can have a huge impact on the sharpness of the image. Fixing the camera in place can be an essential part of the set-up.
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• The right perspective is critical to create an interesting photo. Taking the picture close to the ground brings you to the same level as the subject and creates an impression of how they see the world. Conversely, shooting from an elevated shooting position brings their surroundings into context. Experimenting with different approaches in this way is what makes photography so addictive!
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• Find new viewpoints. There may be good alternatives to the location that you would typically go to first. Take time to look around and observe your surroundings. Perhaps a rock or boulder will provide an interesting vantage point, or taking a few steps to the left will bring the subject between two trees that frame the composition perfectly. This has the power to give standard subjects new and more interesting perspectives.
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• When composing the picture, pay attention to any elements in the frame that can be distracting to the viewer’s eye. A creamy background can be created by choosing a large aperture such as f/2.8. With this approach light sources can also enhance the image, creating a beautiful bokeh effect. If you you want to keep the background in focus to provide context, composition is key, so focus on keeping any distractions out of frame.
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• Wildlife photography requires patience and perseverance. Be prepared to wait for hours to get the right shot. Often, just being quiet and unobtrusive in the environment will lead to get incredible opportunities.
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• Stay true to an ethical approach. You are moving in nature, be aware of your responsibility. Do not disturb animals when they are breeding or tending their nests. The great outdoors is the animals’ territory so protect the landscape, leave nothing but your footprints, and take any rubbish you find with you for disposal.

Inspiration is important when learning about a photography genre and we’ve got two experienced Pentax professionals who are here to share their stunning work with you. One of our experts is at home in the jungle with a family of lions, while on the other hand, there is an expert for birds and the world of domesticated animals. Although working in vastly different locations, they both have a great deal of experience in their fields.

Both our experts rely on Pentax DSLR cameras and for good reason. They utilise a wide number of features and functions as well depending on the weather-sealing and durable design. For Ogun and Mike, it is important to be able to use the camera to survey the scene quickly and efficiently.

The beauty of DSLR photography is seeing the light directly from the subject through the optical viewfinder. This offers a huge advantage, especially out in the field. It is not only the composition of the individual elements, but also assessing light that's available when taking the shot.
 
Along with the camera, the focal length of the lens is crucial for successful shots. When we talk about focal length, the size of the camera’s sensor is an important factor.

You'll find that the lens name always includes the focal length, which refers to the angle of view in relation to a 35mm full-frame sensor. An APS-c sensor is smaller so doesn't include the the outside area of the image that a full frame sensor would capture. Comparing them side by side the APS-C image would appear cropped - and that's why it's called a crop sensor.

Choosing a lens for a full frame camera is easy because the focal lengths correspond directly to the sensor. However when choosing a lens for an APS-C camera you have to consider the crop factor, and these are calculated by multiplying the focal length by the crop factor, which for PENTAX is 1.5x.

So for example, to calculate the focal the focal length for a 300mm lens, the calculation would be: 300mm x 1.5 = 450mm.

So when using a 300mm lens on an APS-C camera, it would be the equivalent to using a 450mm lens on a full frame camera.

Here's another example: 150-450mm x 1.5 = 225-675mm

This is a key consideration for wildlife photographers when choosing their camera equipment.

So, we’ve talked about telephoto lenses, which enable photographers to capture images from a fair distance away, but what other options can be of use to a wildlife photographer?

Well, the truth is that by mixing up your focal lengths, you can not only cover a wider range of wildlife subjects, but you’ll also add variety to your portfolio and this will lead to your images feeling fresh and more diverse. Wide-angle lenses for example, will deliver images that distort the perspective of your subject. A macro lens will let you capture close up photos of small subjects, showing tiny creatures in a whole new light, revealing shape and texture that may be invisible to the human eye.

The choice of lens depends on the type of wildlife you want to photograph. Many wildlife photographers use a combination of several lenses to cover a range of situations and subjects. Remember that when it comes to wildlife photography, the right lens can make a significant difference to the quality of your shots.

In conclusion, wildlife photography offers breathtaking encounters, unique challenges and the opportunity to become a storyteller of the natural world. When you engage in this captivating activity, you not only capture moments of unparalleled beauty, but also contribute to the appreciation and conservation of our planet's incredible biodiversity. Make the most of the benefits Pentax cameras and lenses offer and enjoy your wildlife photography.  

We would love to see the images you create and often share images the @pentax.photography official Instagram account. Make sure to use the #pentax_wildlife hashtag so we can find your work easily!