GET THE KEY KIT
Select the best tools for your chosen genre to capture commercially successful images
Many photographers shy away from wildlife photography, under the belief that the necessary equipment is prohibitively expensive and the reserve of fulltime professionals. This is a common misconception, with pro photographers often highlighting the possibilities for stunning images available using enthusiast cameras and lenses. This is especially true today, where even entry-level DSLRs and CSCs are capable of superb results at higher sensitivities, and third-party superzoom optics offer an excellent balance of quality, reach and affordability.
However, the nature photography genre does incorporate some fields that undeniably benefit from the use of dedicated equipment, without which it is likely the user will be unable to fulfil their compositional vision. This explains in part why professionals often work in a tighter focused corner of the genre – they are able to base their gear requirements around common subject choices, streamlining their business for greater efficiency. For example, if elusive species in challenging terrain are the most regularly shot subjects, the photographer will likely show preference to high-powered prime lenses, allowing frame-filling compositions from a distance. These optics represent a large investment so, for the sake of financial viability, less resources should be directed to lower focal length zooms or wide angles. Similarly, a macro specialist would be advised to use a greater variety of true macro lenses, of several focal lengths, in addition to a 70-200mm zoom for high-magnification studies or plant portraits. This strategy enables dynamic shooting within a niche area, revealing an effective method of building a reputation as a specialist and potentially opening stable and numerous routes to profitable shooting. Resolution is another consideration. It may not be an instinctive choice to buy into an ultra-high resolution system for a genre that is associated with faster-paced shooting procedures, however there are advantages to the large file sizes produced. For commercial use, the ability to greatly recompose through cropping, while maintaining large reproduction sizes, can increase the apparent value to prospective clients. The majority of nature subjects involve working at the extremes of equipment capability, whether this refers to speed, light levels or close focusing distance. Therefore, the true key to informed equipment choices is to identify a concise list of essential products, without which the photographer’s target image cannot be achieved.