One of the things I love most about nature photography is what I like to call “the chess game.” Whenever I’m photographing a wild subject, I try to get into its head and anticipate what it’s going to do next. By staying one move ahead, I put myself in the best possible position to capture behaviour and action as it unfolds, rather than reacting after the moment has already passed.
This approach is one of the main reasons it’s so important to learn as much as you can about your subjects and their behaviour. Wildlife is constantly giving us clues. The better you understand those signals, the better prepared you’ll be when something exciting is about to happen.
A pouncing coyote
Take this image of a coyote pouncing as an example. From experience, I know that when a coyote walks forward very slowly, staring intently at the ground while cocking its head from side to side, it’s listening. It’s triangulating the exact location of a vole beneath the snow. When that behaviour appears, there’s a very good chance a pounce is coming, and it’s coming soon.
Once I recognize those signals, I start preparing for the action before it happens. I’ll open up my aperture to gain a faster shutter speed so I can freeze the movement. If I’m using a zoom lens, I’ll back off slightly on my framing and place the coyote low and to the left in the frame, leaving room above for the leap. Then it’s just a matter of being ready to fire a burst the instant the action begins.
The importance of knowing your subject
This same kind of anticipation applies across the animal world. Wildlife will give you all kinds of clues.
Waterfowl almost always perform a wing flap at the end of a preening session. Birds will often face into the wind, and yes, usually defecate, just before taking off from a perch. Wading birds subtly pull back before striking at a fish. None of these moments are random; they’re predictable if you know what to look for.
Becoming a better wildlife photographer isn’t just about better gear or faster cameras. It’s about observation, patience, and learning to read behaviour. Become a better chess player, and you’ll become a better nature photographer. My tip for you today: Become a better chess player, and you’ll be a better nature photographer!
Good Luck and Good Light!
Steve & Nicole
Image: Coyote Pouncing, Yellowstone National Park, WY
Camera: Nikon D300S
Lens: 600mm
Settings: 1/2000 @ f/5.6, ISO 320
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