If you’ve spent 5 minutes looking anywhere on the internet at wildlife photography, you already know - there’s a sea of really bad photography out there. Sure there are a lot of really beautiful imagery too, and we can instantly tell the difference. Even when reviewing your own work, there's always one shot that stands out from the rest -  one of those "I know it when I see it" moments.

So what is it that sets those gems apart from the average shots?

What can you do with your images to set your work apart from all those bird-on-a-fence shots?

It’s not photographing exotic animals in far-flung locations, and it definitely isn’t the most expensive gear!

​Our team of award winning photographers and experts in art curation have identified 5 key areas that can make the difference between a GREAT photograph and a “just OK” one.

1. Subject Distance: One of the primary issues faced by wildlife photographers is the distance between the photographer and the subject. Of course, telephoto lenses help immensely, but capturing subjects from a distance often results in images lacking the desired level of detail and intimacy. Learning to use perspective, details, and filling the frame with a dynamic subject will set your photographs apart.

2. Boring Lighting Conditions: Lighting plays a crucial role in photography, and mundane lighting conditions can lead to dull and uninspiring images. In the wild we don’t often get to choose our lighting - so although you can experiment with different times of day and understand the impact of weather conditions, you’re still at the mercy of Mother Nature rather than perfect studio lighting. Learning to overcome this during the editing process unlocks all new opportunities for artistic expression. Our courses delve into creative editing techniques that will make your wildlife shots seem to come to life.
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​3. Weak Compositions: In wildlife photography, as any other form of photography, issues like dead-center subjects, cluttered backgrounds, and lack of focal points can significantly affect the final images. But beyond the usual “rule of thirds” and “leading lines,” learning to use the environment to frame your subject in a way that shows their relationship to the world around them will create images that are visually striking and engaging.

4. Emotionless Animal Behavior: Wildlife images often fall short in conveying the emotional aspects of animal behavior. Too many times photographers have expended so much time, money, and energy getting to the animal sighting that they become complacent and happy with “good enough” shots that simply show the animal. But when you learn to study and understand the behavior of the subjects, you can begin to capture moments that resonate with viewers, seeing into the animals’ thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Patience and a deeper connection with the wildlife can contribute to more emotive storytelling, which leads us to number five…
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​5. Lack of Story: Every photograph has a potential to tell a story, and wildlife images are no different. A good photo might show a bear in focus, with the color beautifully balanced, the subject framed nicely. But an awesome will do all of that AND make the viewer wonder: “what just happened? What will happen next?”

Do your photos do that?


If you want to learn how the power of context and environmental storytelling can elevate your work, and transform your images into compelling visual masterpieces, check out Artica's Wildlife Photography Masterclass! We'll teach you everything you need to know to level-up your work as an ethical wildlife photographer.
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​From in the field techniques and settings that will give you confidence to nail every shot, to post processing that makes your work practically jump off the page, this course covers it all!