Why Wildlife Photography Is The Best Genre

Before wildlife, I started with landscape photography, until something suddenly changed.

I discovered I have lions in my backyard.

(Well, I mean in my city)

I realized there's so much wildlife in my own country, so why not give it a shot?

Since that time, I've never looked back and decided to aspire to become a professional wildlife photographer.

Today, I'll be talking about why I think wildlife photography is the best genre (definitely biased, but hear me out).

Wildlife is Everywhere

Of course, not everyone has lions in their backyard, but wildlife can be photographed from anywhere.

From polar bears in Antarctica to elephants in Africa, to birds & insects in your backyard/park, it can be practiced from anywhere.

I know of people who have birdbaths outside their homes to practice their bird photography.

If you don't have access to that, you can try practice your wildlife photography with dogs & cats! Cat behaviour is basically the same as lions, leopards and cheetahs.

In addition to that, there’s also a huge variance in wildlife photography costs:

You could spend $15,000 for an Arctic expedition for polar bears, and also $0 to create incredible macro photos of insects at home.

People think you need to spend a lot of money for wildlife. While it’s mostly true, you could still stand out from capturing incredible photos of wild animals (big or small) near your home.

Technicality

Gear 100% matters. It just depends on how you use it.

Wildlife photography is special because it requires technical expertise.

While it's not the most important thing, it is key to achieving high-quality images.

You can't get a sharp closeup with a short lens and a low megapixel camera.

But if that's what you have (like I did starting out), then get creative, and focus on what you can control.

Additionally, I strongly believe that you can only become creative when you master basic settings. (Manual mode)

Connection to Nature

I'm a city boy. I like living in the city, but sometimes the fast life gets too much.

Wildlife photography allows you to become a still observer. It makes you pause and brings peace.

On safari, the fresh air, bird sounds, and soft sunlight, became a natural meditation for me.

This connection to nature can grant you a sense of peace and gratitude.

Thrill

Searching for animals is like playing hide and seek with them.

You'll feel like a child again, and it's so enjoyable.

You start seeking when you start your safari.

Your guide tells you there was a leopard in the distant tree yesterday. You hope that it's still there.

You start nearing the tree and find its food lying on the tree, but no signs of the leopard nearby.

Then, as you reach the tree, you start looking at branches.

There it is, a majestic leopard lazily lying on the top branch with a full belly.

You get overjoyed because you're seeing it after hours of trying for a leopard.

You have found your friend, you win!

It's those moments that make wildlife photography so addicting.

Variety of Photo Types

Wildlife photos also come in different forms: portrait close-ups, landscapes, silhouettes, action photos, habitat shots, panning, etc.

This variety allows you to channel your creativity into several opportunities.

Each shot can be captured depending on the available conditions (gear, subject, light, time).

Uniqueness

Wildlife photography is unique because its always unique.

Unlike landscape & other genres, things always change with wildlife.

After a year, you'll find Mt Fuji exactly where you left it.

But you won't find the same lion exactly where you left it. Maybe the same area, but definitely with a different background, vegetation, lighting, etc.

It's virtually impossible to photograph the same wildlife photo.

This is because animals keep moving, lighting becomes unpredictable, and background & foreground will always be naturally inconsistent.

Therefore, no day can bring the same experience in wildlife photography.

Patience

Everyone knows this, patience is key in wildlife photography.

However, the patience that is required depends on the location.

Us safari photographers are spoiled, we just don’t need as much patience as other photographers.

It’s because safaris are designed in such a way that you don’t need to wait as much - because there are plenty of eyes looking for these animals - so the chances of spotting something fast is quite easy.

However, on the quiet days, we can go a whole day without seeing much.

But when I visited Borneo for orangutans, I realized that finding wild animals can be extremely difficult.

Now to be honest with you, I have not experienced the ‘real’ need for patience like other wildlife photographers do. (Polar bears, tigers, bears, etc)

There are some who camp and wait for days! Huge respect to them.

Travel adventure

Well, wildlife photography also gives you the side effect of adventure.

Especially if you’ve travelled far, you’ll always get a sense of adventure on wildlife trips.

My guests - from which some visit Africa for the first time - absolutely fall in love with the experience.

For them, not only is the wildlife part exciting, but also the entire safari experience.

From sleeping in luxury safari tents, to hearing wild animal noises while sleeping, to going for a safari in a fully open vehicle, to having packed breakfast in the bush, to being served by local people. All of it.

Yeah sure the photos are important, but the experience will give you a sense of joy.

Focusing too much on the photos will leave you nothing but disappointed.

Next time you travel for photography, immerse yourself in the experience.

Uncontrollable Factors

In wildlife, you can’t ask the elephant for another photo because you missed your focus.

You can’t cut the grass because it’s covering half of the zebra.

You can’t dim the sun to create soft light for the leopard.

You simply have to work around what’s there.

You have to move yourself, master natural light, and be adaptive to whatever nature gives you.

That is what, in my opinion, makes wildlife photography the best genre.

Ending

Hoping that left you feeling inspired.

I read through all replies, so if you have any comments, I'd love to know! (Or message me @​spotclickpost​)

For my photo tours info, click here.

Till next time,