Photo Science Why this shot works
parks, especially when you’re photographing from a vehicle or a hide of some sort.
For frame-filling portraits, a telephoto lens is often the best choice. A focal length of 200mm or upwards is ideal, as this allows you to work from a reasonable distance. If you’re working with your own pet or animals that allow a very close approach, it’s possible to create unusual portraits with much shorter lenses or even a wide-angle. So if you have the opportunity to go in really close, it’s well worth trying something a little different.
Different focal lengths will have differing effects on the background, so this is also something to bear in mind when you pick your lens. A telephoto lens will result in a blurred background, making the subject stand out well. The reverse is true of a wide-angle lens, where the background will appear more in focus. This can add another dimension to the portrait and
Good framing and a tight composition has been achieved with the help of a 300mm telephoto lens.
A wide aperture of f/5.6 has isolated the subject from the background – handy when they’re similar colours and tones.
The subject is placed off-centre in the frame, and is well balanced by the tree.
The wildcat is looking directly at the camera, giving great eye contact. This is where the focus is at its sharpest. reveal the animal’s surroundings, but it can also be a distraction if the background is cluttered.
Animal instincts
For an effective portrait, the animal’s head and face need to be the main interest, with attention firmly on the subject’s eyes. Without good eye contact, the portrait won’t have the same impact or appeal. Compose the shot so the animal’s eyes are about one third down from the top of the frame. Showing the animal in profile may suit subjects with a strong facial shape and is a good way to emphasise features.
Soft lighting works well for portraits: it avoids dark shadows under the animal’s facial features, which are often associated with harsh overhead sunlight. Thin clouds produce a diffused light that is ideal for this kind of shot, resulting in low contrast and good detail. A low sun will produce an attractive warm light, but it should ideally be coming from directly behind you to give good even illumination on the animal’s face.
Backlighting is also worth trying to give an attractive rim-lit effect. A burst of fill-in flash can be helpful to brighten the face and reveal more detail.