Wildlife Photography: Tips from the Field

Canada's vast wilderness offers some of the world's most extraordinary wildlife photography opportunities. From massive grizzly bears fishing for salmon in British Columbia to elusive arctic foxes in the northern territories, the diverse ecosystems across the country are home to magnificent creatures that captivate photographers from around the globe.

At Zimnyaya Shokoladka, our specialized wildlife photography tours have helped hundreds of photographers—from enthusiastic amateurs to seasoned professionals—capture unforgettable images of Canadian wildlife in their natural habitats. In this article, we're sharing some of the most valuable lessons our guide team has learned through years of leading these expeditions.

Understanding Your Subjects: Research Is Key

The most important preparation for successful wildlife photography happens long before you pick up your camera. Understanding animal behavior patterns dramatically increases your chances of being in the right place at the right time.

Seasonal Considerations

Canadian wildlife follows distinct seasonal patterns that create unique photography opportunities throughout the year:

• Spring: Newborn animals, mating displays, and increasing activity as animals emerge from winter dormancy or return from migration.
• Summer: Peak feeding season with long daylight hours. Many animals are raising young and are more visible as they gather food.
• Fall: Rutting season for deer, elk, and moose creates dramatic encounters. Bears are highly active feeding before hibernation.
• Winter: Contrasting subjects against snow. Opportunities for arctic species like snowy owls, arctic foxes, and some of the most dramatic predator-prey interactions.

Daily Patterns

Most wildlife is most active during the "golden hours" around dawn and dusk. Not coincidentally, these are also the times with the most beautiful natural light for photography. This means early mornings—often very early mornings—are essential for serious wildlife photographers.

Take grizzly bears fishing for salmon in British Columbia: while they may be present throughout the day, their fishing activity often peaks in early morning hours when salmon are most actively moving. Arriving at first light gives you the best chance for action shots combined with golden morning light on wet fur.

Essential Equipment for Canadian Wildlife Photography

Camera Gear

While great photographs ultimately come from skill rather than equipment, certain gear considerations are particularly important for wildlife photography in Canadian conditions:

• Telephoto Lenses: Most wildlife requires maintaining safe, respectful distances. A minimum 300mm focal length is recommended, with 400-600mm ideal for many species. For smaller subjects like birds, even longer focal lengths may be necessary.
• Fast Autofocus: Wildlife moves quickly and unpredictably. Cameras with sophisticated autofocus systems that can track moving subjects dramatically increase your keeper rate.
• High ISO Performance: Early morning, evening, and forest environments often mean working in low light. Cameras that perform well at higher ISO settings allow faster shutter speeds to freeze action in challenging light.
• Weather Sealing: Canadian wilderness throws everything from rain and snow to sub-zero temperatures at photographers. Weather-sealed equipment provides essential protection.
• Stabilization: Whether in-lens or in-camera, stabilization systems help manage longer lenses, especially from wildlife viewing platforms or boats.

Supporting Equipment

Beyond camera bodies and lenses, consider these essentials:

• Tripod or Monopod: Support for long lenses is crucial, especially in low light. Carbon fiber options offer strength with reduced weight for hiking.
• Extra Batteries: Cold weather dramatically reduces battery life. Carry at least twice as many batteries as you think you'll need, and keep spares in inner pockets to stay warm.
• Memory Cards: Wildlife photography often means high-volume shooting to capture the perfect moment. Bring more storage than you expect to need.
• Weather Protection: Rain covers for cameras and lenses can save your equipment in sudden downpours.
• Binoculars: Essential for spotting wildlife before setting up camera equipment. 8x42 or 10x42 are excellent all-around choices.

Field Techniques for Compelling Wildlife Images

The Ethics of Wildlife Photography

Before discussing techniques, we must emphasize that ethical wildlife photography always prioritizes animal welfare over getting the shot. This means:

• Never baiting or disturbing animals for photography
• Maintaining appropriate distance based on species and local regulations
• Being conscious of signs of stress or behavioral changes
• Never blocking escape routes or access to resources
• Respecting closed areas and seasonal restrictions designed to protect sensitive habitats

Remember: no photograph is worth harming wildlife or damaging their habitat. A responsible approach not only protects animals but often results in more natural, authentic images.

Composition Techniques

Eye Level Perspective

Whenever possible, photograph wildlife from eye level rather than looking down on them. This creates a more intimate connection with the subject and produces more compelling images. This might mean lying on your stomach for small creatures or using a tripod at reduced height.

Environmental Context

While frame-filling portraits can be striking, including habitat elements in your composition tells a more complete story. Look for opportunities to show animals interacting with their environment—a moose in misty wetlands, a mountain goat on precarious cliffs, or a beaver working on its dam.

Anticipate Behavior

The most compelling wildlife images often capture defining behavior moments: a predator pouncing, birds in courtship displays, or animals interacting with each other. Learning to read subtle cues that precede action helps you prepare for these fleeting opportunities.

For example, before a heron strikes at a fish, it will often become completely still, neck partially retracted. Recognizing this stance gives you precious seconds to prepare for the lightning-fast strike that follows.

Negative Space

Don't feel compelled to always fill the frame with your subject. Thoughtful use of negative space can create stunning compositions that convey the vastness of Canadian wilderness and the animal's place within it.

Camera Settings for Wildlife

Exposure Basics

Wildlife photography often requires rapid adjustment to changing conditions. We recommend shooting in aperture priority mode most of the time, with these guidelines:

• Start with apertures between f/5.6 and f/8 for a good balance of sharpness and background separation
• Use Auto ISO with a minimum shutter speed set based on your subject's movement (1/500s for moderate movement, 1/1000s or faster for birds in flight or running animals)
• Be ready to apply exposure compensation for very dark or light subjects

Focus Techniques

Most modern cameras offer sophisticated autofocus options. For wildlife, we recommend:

• Continuous autofocus mode (AF-C or AI Servo) to track moving subjects
• Back-button focus to maintain focus tracking while still controlling when to take an image
• Focus points targeting the animal's eye whenever possible
• For stationary subjects, consider focus stacking for maximum depth of field, especially for larger animals where a single focal plane may not cover the entire subject

Prime Wildlife Photography Locations in Canada

While wildlife can be found throughout Canada, certain locations offer exceptional opportunities for photographers:

Great Bear Rainforest, British Columbia

This remote coastal region offers the world's best opportunity to photograph spirit bears (a rare white variant of the black bear), along with grizzlies, wolves, and numerous marine mammals. Fall salmon runs create spectacular bear feeding opportunities.

Churchill, Manitoba

Known as the "Polar Bear Capital of the World," Churchill offers unparalleled access to polar bears, especially in October-November as they gather waiting for Hudson Bay to freeze. Summer brings opportunities for beluga whale photography.

Point Pelee National Park, Ontario

One of North America's premier bird migration hotspots, Point Pelee sees hundreds of species pass through during spring and fall migrations. The variety of habitats from marshes to forests creates diverse photography opportunities.

Elk Island National Park, Alberta

Located just outside Edmonton, this accessible park offers excellent opportunities to photograph plains bison, wood bison, moose, elk, and numerous bird species in beautiful aspen parkland settings.

Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve, Newfoundland

Home to one of North America's largest seabird colonies, including 70,000 Northern gannets. The birds nest on sea stacks remarkably close to viewing areas, allowing for intimate photography without disturbing the colony.

Post-Processing Tips for Wildlife Images

Thoughtful Editing

The goal in wildlife photography post-processing should be to enhance natural beauty while maintaining authenticity:

• Subtle adjustments to exposure, contrast, and white balance to compensate for challenging field conditions
• Selective sharpening focusing on the animal's features, particularly eyes
• Careful noise reduction that preserves natural texture, especially in fur and feathers
• Minimal saturation adjustments—wildlife coloration should remain realistic

Ethical Considerations in Editing

In wildlife photography, ethical editing practices are particularly important:

• Avoid excessive manipulation that misrepresents animal behavior or habitat
• When removing minor distractions (like a twig across a subject), maintain transparency about edits, especially for documentary or competition images
• Consider adding context through captions that explain behavior or conservation status

Zimnyaya Shokoladka's Wildlife Photography Expeditions

Our specialized wildlife photography tours combine prime locations with expert guidance to maximize your chances of capturing exceptional images:

Spirit Bear Quest

A 7-day expedition into the Great Bear Rainforest during fall salmon runs, led by indigenous guides with intimate knowledge of spirit bear locations and behavior. Small groups ensure minimal impact and maximum photography opportunities.

Polar Bear Expedition

Experience Churchill's polar bears from specialized tundra vehicles and strategically placed blinds. Our expedition includes photography workshops and image review sessions with professional wildlife photographers.

Bird Migration Masterclass

Timed to coincide with peak spring migration at Point Pelee, this tour focuses on techniques specific to bird photography, from flight shots to capturing songbirds in natural settings.

All our wildlife photography expeditions include pre-trip guidance on equipment preparation, field workshops on technique, and optional post-processing sessions to help you make the most of your images.

Capturing compelling wildlife images in Canada's wilderness combines technical skill, field craft, patience, and sometimes a touch of luck. But with proper preparation and an ethical approach, the opportunities for extraordinary photography are limitless. Canada's diverse wildlife and stunning natural landscapes create a photographer's paradise that rewards those willing to invest the time and effort to understand their subjects.