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I have been asked "what do you do to become a
wildlife photographer" so many times that I almost laugh when someone ask. There are
many deviations to the question, but most are from people who are not photographers to
start with and they have dreams of spending seven days a week out in nature, having fun
plus making more money than they have ever seen. Folks I hate to be the one to shatter
this bubble, but it doesn't happen that way in real life. First
off, the really big name professional wildlife photographers only spend a fraction of
their time out in natures world. It's a business and the running of that business takes up
a whole lot more time than getting the images. The competition is fierce, and most of
these people supplement their income by writing articles, books, and giving workshops
etc.. Also you have stock agencies with huge reservoirs of stock photos, plus all the part
timer's competing with their 1 or 2 super images a year. This is a quote from a Texas
State web site I visited a while back..."Nature photography is becoming one of the most popular forms of
outdoor recreation. According to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Report, Nationally,
nature photographers outnumber golfers." Another
thing to think about is that it is not always talent or even knowledge of wildlife and its
habitat. I have known many amateur wildlife photographers whose throw away images were
better than the average pro image and better than my keepers.{VBG} They made their living
in other fields and did the photography as a hobby. Due to the limited time, many
pro's do a lot of shooting on game farms, trained animals and any other short cut
possible. They have to! Paying the bills and supporting a family require a certain amount
of income.
Are you getting the picture? If you want to make
photography a profession and not starve to death, get into portrait, or photo journalism,
or commercial or any of the fields that pay decent money. With today's automatic camera's,
all fields of photography are highly competitive, but it can be done.
Now, if you want to do wildlife photography as a hobby
just because you enjoy the outdoors and the "real challenge" of getting a good
image of true wildlife...where do you start? Assuming you already know the basics of
photography, I am going to give you a few simple practical tips on how to practice and get
ready for the real thing. Besides the need to gain knowledge of birds, animals, their
habits, and where to find them, you will need to practice, practice and practice.
Otherwise you might blow that really great shot when it comes
along. -- Greyhawk |
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