Why photograph wildlife?

Why photograph wildlife? Why does the hunter go buy a license and hunt when they can buy meat at the store? Or fisherman? I don't like killing and skinning the animals, I would rather shoot them with a Canon than a firearm and still I have a "trophy" and the animal is free to do what it does. THAT's why I do, I hunt with a camera, not a firearm.

If you want to be a wildlife photographer because you want to produce "the best" shots, you're doing it for the wrong reasons. If you are depressed because your shots aren't sharp, colorful, lively, captivating.. you're doing it for the wrong reasons..

The reason I love wildlife photography is the adventure, the journey, being free in nature. I love to observe the wildlife and watch their mannerisms. Catching a great shot is just a plus.

Honestly, a lot of the time, I don't even take the shot. I put the camera down (or never pick it up) and just live in the moment. Listen to the wind blow through the trees and the leaves, the stream flow over the rocks, birds chirping, and watch my subject interact with the world and nature... It's a beautiful thing, and that is why I'm a wildlife photographer.

Sometimes I come home with 0 shots. Sometimes I come home with 500 and keep 3. It's not the quality of the photograph it's the quality of the moment.

Why photograph at all?

The journey/purpose/proces​s/fill in the blank of photographing is different for all of us. We are all driven and motivated in different ways. Why do the pursuits of others concern you so much. It seems that they were enjoying the moment more than you, which is unfortunate.

Find the avenue of photography that drives you, and focus your energy on that.

(Old thread, but I just can't resist)

There's more to wildlife photography than "birds on sticks". The challenge is to find a way to produce creative shots. Having little to no control over the subject and the environment only makes it more challenging.

When I go out photographing, all I expect is a nice walk and fresh air. Most days I get no good photos at all, but when I do get something, it feels great.

I just can't recommend it enough, It's the most fun hobby I ever had.

Pix:

I can understand that it's intimidating to take photos of popular subjects. But photographing something that's been "done to death" only motivates me to try harder. Some days it's easier to do something unique than you'd expect.

For example:

-The Mont St Michel must be one of the most photographed places in Europe, but that didn't keep me from going there two sunrises and 2 sunsets in a row.

-There were at least 10 other photographers present when these 2 foxes started yelping at each other, yet I'm confident I'm the only one who got this shot.

More pix:

This thread, more specifically the op's sentiment strikes a chord with me.

I class myself as a naturalist with a camera and as such my primary enjoyment comes from being out in the field, using my fieldcraft and knowledge to get me the experiences that bring me pleasure.

My photography of these experiences falls into the 99.9% done before, done better, sterile, documentary style the op has questioned the merits of.

While I am still satisfied with my records, I now really want to take images that stand apart from the masses (don't we all?).

So what's holding me back? It seems silly when I say it but I think I lack the creative imagination to set me apart and I fear that may be a natural talent that cannot be learned.

finally read the whole thread and to be honest I can see the original posters point. I have been photographing birds for years now, my bird photo-stream on flickr is always getting visits etc. However I am slowly becoming bored with what I do, I think my photos are OK, not sure if they are sterile or not. I find myself wondering all the time why I'm even doing it these days, I used to enjoy it a lot as Id walk for miles and enjoy the actual beauty of being out in the Australian bush yet since Ive got some ankle issues I cant walk as far so I'm visiting the same areas etc. I have a 7DII and a reach of 600mm and sometimes ask myself is there some other challenging way for me to try and get back my mojo for wildlife photography, maybe start showing more of the actual environment than just sharp images, maybe take out the full frame more and see if it makes a difference, I really dont know. maybe step away from the animals for a while. Photography has basically been my only real passion for many years, Id hate to lose that passion.

So I read this post and decided to say and post something. To me wildlife photography is my hobby but also something that make me feel closer to God. I find that stocking of and animal were it be a bird our a lizard to be fun, the same rush I get when hunting. For me I is all about catching a moment that you liked. The picture below happened today. The Bird was just begging for it.. He was quacking and making a lot of noise because it was wet and I had my camera and about a minute with it before having to go inside to help with our churches youth group. Yea I know it is not perfect but it was a second that something awesome was happening in front of me and I captured it and to me that is what Photography is all about unless you are doing it for a living.

aladyforty wrote in post #17871880
finally read the whole thread and to be honest I can see the original posters point. I have been photographing birds for years now, my bird photo-stream on flickr is always getting visits etc. However I am slowly becoming bored with what I do, I think my photos are OK, not sure if they are sterile or not. I find myself wondering all the time why I'm even doing it these days, I used to enjoy it a lot as Id walk for miles and enjoy the actual beauty of being out in the Australian bush yet since Ive got some ankle issues I cant walk as far so I'm visiting the same areas etc. I have a 7DII and a reach of 600mm and sometimes ask myself is there some other challenging way for me to try and get back my mojo for wildlife photography, maybe start showing more of the actual environment than just sharp images, maybe take out the full frame more and see if it makes a difference, I really dont know. maybe step away from the animals for a while. Photography has basically been my only real passion for many years, Id hate to lose that passion.

I don't think that you're making such a case about whether or not wildlife photography is purposeful or not, but rather you're only expressing your own disappointment at how much you've been lacking in creativity/opportunity in approaching the subject. In some ways, I sympathize with you, as I've not been out to shoot wildlife for quite a while now, for lack of what I feel are good opportunities - either in terms of catching interesting birds or because the weather hasn't been cooperatiing - but that doesn't mean that the subject isn't interesting or doesn't have potential and/or purpose, a point, only that I need to seek a new way to approach it.

If your only perspective on bird/wildlife photography is that you point, compose with the subject in the middle and press the shutter to obtain a sharp image, then it's no surprise that you should feel a bit disillusioned with the subject; however, that's hardly the subject's fault.

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ThomasDidymus wrote in post #17875821
For me it is all about catching a moment that I liked.
.....it was a second that something awesome was happening in front of me and I captured it and to me that is what Photography is all about.

Thomas,

That is a very meaningful - and even beautiful - answer to the OP's question, "Why photograph wildlife?"

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The question will be the same to another types of photography, i shoot landscapes, sports, and most of the time i shoot same subjects in those two areas, but the good thing that i can have my own style specially in sports, the action is always usual new, different players, different audience, so it will be always something new even it is regular shooting team against team or player against player.

Just in landscapes, when i keep seeing those mind blowing scenarios then i always thinking to go there and have my turn, and i did read an article or someone posted about is it real of what we see of those so breath-taking beautiful landscapes photos? and if so then how can we do it different better or at least as beautiful if not more, so it is almost same question about how or why we shoot those landscapes when it is done millions times since long years ago and photographers had books/videos/history about it, but to me, i go there to enjoy watching that beauty first, then i do my best to have my own style if i can, and most those photographers are great in editing/pp too while i am not.

"Why photograph wildlife?"
Because I enjoy it - Simples!

It is fun... If it was up to me I would do it daily.. If I had the money I would buy a Nikon 200-500 just because I love it that much...

aladyforty wrote in post #17871880
finally read the whole thread and to be honest I can see the original posters point. I have been photographing birds for years now, my bird photo-stream on flickr is always getting visits etc. However I am slowly becoming bored with what I do, I think my photos are OK, not sure if they are sterile or not. I find myself wondering all the time why I'm even doing it these days, I used to enjoy it a lot as Id walk for miles and enjoy the actual beauty of being out in the Australian bush yet since Ive got some ankle issues I cant walk as far so I'm visiting the same areas etc. I have a 7DII and a reach of 600mm and sometimes ask myself is there some other challenging way for me to try and get back my mojo for wildlife photography, maybe start showing more of the actual environment than just sharp images, maybe take out the full frame more and see if it makes a difference, I really dont know. maybe step away from the animals for a while. Photography has basically been my only real passion for many years, Id hate to lose that passion.

For the record, I really enjoy your images. The Raven is amazing. Perhaps taking a leave of absence from wildlife and shooting something completely different for 6-12 months would help.

In my inconsequential opinion, nature photographers who share their work are creating a significant, and historically useful, record of species alive and thriving today. Not all these species will be around 50, 100, 200 years hence.

Keep at it folks.

Lee

Once a long time ago, before I was into photography, I watched a herd of elk during the early spring, they were in a field that had been sprayed by a crop duster a few days before. A young calf probably a week or two old picked up a piece of toilet paper that the plane drops to know what has and hasn't been sprayed, it took the toilet paper in it's mouth and ran back and forth across the hillside jumping and twirling like a rhythmic gymnast. I don't think it has all been shot before, and looking for that golden moment is half the fun.