INCLUDE AND EXCLUDE

Discover how to use camera settings to create mood and narrative in winter wildlife photography

When it comes to capturing wildlife, framing and aperture settings are crucial factors to consider. By using the right techniques, you can convey your message through two different photographic directions.

Sometimes, it can be challenging to find the right composition, as trees and other background features may distract from the subject but can’t be removed. In such cases, it’s recommended that you zoom right into your subject and work with an open aperture such as f/2. The reason for this is that the lower your f-stop number, the shallower the depth of field, meaning the background gets blurred out. This helps in smoothing out distracting elements and keeping the viewer’s attention on the subject. Take care, because the shallower the depth of field, the narrower the focus area, meaning fewer image elements will be sharp. Frames shot with an open aperture convey a distinctive, calming atmosphere that captivates the viewer with close insights but have less sharpness in the subject. However, focusing on the wildlife’s main features means that its behaviour may not be captured, and a narrative layer may be missing.

To create a variety of winter wildlife shots, it’s best to work with medium apertures such as f/11 – as long as the surroundings are suitable. Bigger f-stop numbers have the benefit of rendering the scene sharp without significantly blurring other elements. It’s worth considering including the environment, as it plays a significant role in giving the viewer insights into the subject’s life. This way, you build a context and even tell a story. Photographs with narratives are more informative, and educate the viewer by showing natural behaviour.