Are you a wildlife photographer who is still learning the ropes? While there are ample books to learn from and interviews we have conducted, the plethora of information can be daunting sometimes. To make learning more engaging and joyful, BBC Earth and BBC Earth Explore have launched two new video series that will help you hone your skills in under 10 minutes. How so? Scroll below for details.
Titled In Search of Nature and Framed in Nature, this series includes six wildlife photographers from around the world and showcases their unique perspective when it comes to chronicling nature. Each series does not work as a typical documentary on nature but offers an in-depth look at wildlife photography, which includes insights and techniques from the field.
For instance, In Search of Nature follows photographers as they travel to document landscapes around the world. One will see the lush Atlantic Forest in Brazil and the tundras of Yellowstone; each episode will take you on a journey through different environments. The series functions as a means to highlight the preservation of natural habitats and the fragile nature of these vulnerable ecosystems. The first episode follows Brazilian wildlife photographer Nicole Carneiro through the iconic Atlantic Forest, where she talks about the endangered species of birds in the region.
The other series, Framed in Nature, offers a rather unique perspective on wildlife photography. For instance, photographers delve into what shutter speed and ISO one can use, as well as the kind of equipment and post-processing techniques that can help them get the best wildlife photographs. If the first series was an introduction to wildlife habitat, the latter one is a great tool for anyone looking to enhance their wildlife photography skills.
In the first episode of Framed in Nature, titled Photographing Rare and Elusive Birds in Brazil, Carneiro showcases how she tracks rare birds and shares her process in real time as she photographs them. Through her approach, she highlights the importance of understanding animal behavior and how patience and knowledge are the keys to capturing a great photograph. For instance, she uses a Nikon Z7 with a 180-600mm lens and a 400mm fixed lens f2.8 for low-light conditions. “Usually, I tend to photograph at f8 for that sharpness, but this is the best we can do right now,” she explains as she documents the toucan. Her shutter speed was set to 1/1250 to freeze the bird’s flight.
In addition, she imparts advice to anyone starting out. “If you want to be a wildlife photographer, you just got to go out and be able to photograph whatever you think is interesting,” she states. If you are keen on watching both series, then tune in to YouTube weekly on the BBC Earth YouTube channel. Each episode will showcase new regions and photographers, and you will realize the significance of wildlife photography, which is not just to win awards but to help preserve our planet for future generations.
This is truly a great way to engage people, even those who are aspiring photographers, and urge them to test their limits. Professionals, too, can learn a lot from the series and upgrade their knowledge with time.