December 23, 2002

Basic Wildlife Photography
by James L. Cummins

Having grown up hunting and fishing, I have great respect for the outdoors and conservation. There is nothing more exciting than the sight of a huge buck on a cold, crisp December morning or a gobbler in full strut on a fresh spring day. Shooting wildlife with a camera or gun is the easy part. Getting them in range is difficult. Extremely difficult. In the following, I will try to describe some of the basic equipment needed for wildlife photography and how to get some chances at some good photographs.

To begin with, the following equipment is essential: 1) 35 mm camera, 2) Film, 3) Zoom lens, 4) Tripod, 5) Camouflage clothing and 6) A blind.

The only blind that I truly like is the one that I have made. It consists of five 4 foot long pieces of conduit and burlap. If a two person blind is desired, about 7 yards of burlap is needed. If a one-person blind is desired, only 5 yards is needed. The only difference between a two person and a one-person blind is that the sides are 4 feet long for a two person and 3 feet long for a one-person blind. On the sides it is helpful to cut vertical slits 3 or 4 inches long to stick the camera lens through.

Once you have all of the necessary equipment you are ready to head to the woods. Mississippi abounds with national forests, wildlife management areas and national wildlife refuges. There is also plenty of private land. Although you can take many pictures from your automobile, the best way to get good, close up photographs is to sit in a blind.

Most of the wildlife photography I do is in the months of December and January. At this time deer are out in food plots more than they are during other months. Also during these months there are great numbers of waterfowl in Mississippi. Many food plots have been planted with corn, milo and Japanese millet to attract waterfowl. And they do, by the thousands.

To photograph deer, locate a rye grass or winter wheat field and try to find a well-used path that runs into the woods adjacent to the field. Locate the blind about 20 yards downwind from the trail. Also remember to keep the sun behind you. This has priority over the wind. Try to set the blind so there is a background behind you. This can be either trees, grass or small bushes. Once it is set also put some grass against the sides and on top if you are photographing waterfowl. If the ground is damp, put a piece of plastic down to sit on. This will keep you dry. Once you are in the blind be as still and as quiet as possible. Noise and movement will spook animals. To prevent excess movement, I like to keep my camera on a tripod and point it toward the area where I think the animals will come from. When photographing deer do not make a picture when they (it) are looking at you. They may sense you and run off. If they don't see you may have some beautiful photographs.

If you go out and don't get many photographs don't feel bad. After a few outings you will get to "know" your subject better and you can start to predict what they will do under certain situations. Since this is basic, very basic, you might want to do some research.



James L. Cummins is Executive Director of the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation in Stoneville, Mississippi. Known as "Wildlife Mississippi," the Foundation is a non-profit, conservation organization founded to conserve, restore and enhance fish, wildlife and plant resources throughout Mississippi