Steffen A. Kaplan’s Post

Photography in the digital world is quite interesting. We can bet this picture would be award-winning if maybe the beak of this Great Egret had a fish - or some kind of action. However, when we go to the extremes, even children and young adults may not want to take up photography. As conservation photographers and educators, we seek to instil the lessons and essence of our own wildlife, landscapes and people in whatever form. This image serves as an educational tool for many to understand the different bird species, their role in the ecosystem and why we should protect their habitats. 📸 Anthony Ochieng #VELPStories #VELP #ConservationPhotography #EnvironmentalEducation #ConservationEducation #WEEC2024 #WEEC #WEEC24

🦁 Photographing Wildlife: Patience and Precision 📸 Check out my latest blog post for tips on capturing stunning wildlife images. Learn about the right gear, techniques, and how to respect animal behavior while getting the perfect shot. https://lnkd.in/gUVSpA6S Share your most thrilling wildlife photography experience in the comments! Let’s discuss the challenges and joys of capturing the wild on camera. #WildlifePhotography #PhotographyTips #BlogPost #NaturePhotography

Some of the nuances of wildlife photography.

Today is #WorldWildlifeConservationDay, signifying a crucial initiative in the ongoing efforts to safeguard and preserve the dwindling populations of wildlife species worldwide. This observance aims to combat wildlife crime and advocate for the enforcement of the Endangered Species Act. Check out National Geographic's Pictures of the Year Award Winners highlighting our planet's incredible wildlife diversity! 1. The Twilight of Life by Alexander Semenov “Queen of the Arctic Seas” and “Alien Flower.” Both are names that marine biologist Alexander Semenov has used to refer to the lion’s mane jellyfish, one of the largest species of jellyfish. He photographed this one in its final stage of life after it had reproduced and lost hundreds of tentacles, which are said to resemble a lion’s mane. The jellyfish is listed as an “extreme jellyfish” on the Smithsonian’s Ocean Portal website, which states that the largest known specimen measured 120 feet from top to bottom. 2. A Billion Butterflies by Jaime Rojo These are not leaves on trees — they are butterflies. Branches sag under the weight of monarch butterflies at El Rosario Sanctuary, one of many colonies in Mexico’s Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Jaime Rojo, a senior fellow at the International League of Conservation Photographers, took this photo shortly before sunset, outside of the sanctuary’s normal operating hours, according to Nat Geo. Every year, up to a billion monarch butterflies migrate to the reserve, before departing for Eastern Canada in the spring. “During this time, four successive generations are born and die. How they find their way back ... remains a mystery.” 3. Rebuilding Species by David Doubilet This beautiful image of a seven-foot-long zebra shark depicts the story of extraordinary conservation. It glides through an exhibit at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, one of several institutions where endangered zebra sharks are breeding to produce eggs for shipment to Indonesia. There, they will be raised and released into a marine protected area in Raja Ampat to rebuild the wild population. https://lnkd.in/gWARDj34

📸🐘 Here are 9 tips to help you capture stunning wildlife photographs! 🦏🦒 ✨Patience is Key: Take the time to observe and understand the behavior of the animals you're photographing. This will help you anticipate their movements and capture more natural and authentic shots. ✨Know Your Gear: Familiarise yourself with your camera and its settings, so you can adjust quickly to capture moments of animal behavior. ✨Use the Right Lens: Choose a lens that allows you to maintain a safe distance from the animals while still capturing them up close. Telephoto lenses are great for wildlife photography as they bring distant subjects closer without causing disturbance. ✨Find Good Light: Pay attention to lighting conditions, as they can affect the mood and quality of your photos. Soft, diffused light during the golden hours of sunrise and sunset can enhance the colors and textures of your subject. ✨Focus on the Eyes: The eyes of an animal can convey a lot of emotion and personality. Ensure they are sharp and in focus to create a connection with the viewer. ✨Compose Carefully: Consider the behavior of the animal when composing your shot. Leave space in the frame for the animal to move into and try to capture moments that tell a story or reveal something about the animal's natural habitat and interactions. ✨Capture Action: Look for opportunities to capture moments of action and behavior, such as hunting, feeding, or social interactions. These moments can add depth and interest to your wildlife photographs. ✨Respect the Wildlife: Always prioritise the well being of the animals you're photographing. Avoid disturbing their natural behavior or habitat, and adhere to ethical guidelines for wildlife photography to ensure the safety and welfare of the animals. ✨Learn Animal Behavior: Understanding the behavior of the animals you photograph can make a significant difference in the quality of your images. Whether it's recognising signs of aggression, anticipating movements, or knowing when an animal is most active, this knowledge allows you to capture more authentic wildlife photographs. #wildlifephotography #wildlifefilmmaking #students #africamediaprograms #wildlife #capture #photography #filmmaking #nature #conservation

What is the Meaning of Wildlife Photography? Discover the Art and Impact Wildlife photography is a genre dedicated to capturing various forms of wildlife in their natural habitats. This captivating pursuit allows us to delve into the wonders of the natural world while considering its environmental implications. Through the lens, we can capture the essence and magnificence of wildlife, immersing ourselves in their habitats and understanding the delicate balance of ecosystems. https://lnkd.in/gVmtyffQ

Secrets Unlocked! This comprehensive guide will support you as you explore the intricacies of wildlife photography. From honing your skills and selecting appropriate equipment to capturing stunning images by utilizing powerful techniques. https://lnkd.in/gRfZADFc

𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒅𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒘𝒆𝒕𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔? Wetlands are a critical part of our natural environment. They protect our shores from wave action, reduce the impacts of floods, absorb pollutants and improve water quality. 𝑯𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒗𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒂 𝒘𝒆𝒕𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅? Wetlands provide habitat for animals and plants and many contain a wide diversity of life, supporting plants and animals that are found nowhere else. 𝑫𝒊𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒆𝒕𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒆𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒃𝒐𝒏? Wetlands are also some of the largest stores of carbon on the planet, but when disturbed or warmed, they release the three greenhouse gases (#GHGs) that contribute the most to #globalwarming: #carbon dioxide, #methane and nitrous oxide. Whether you’re an amateur with a smartphone or photo professional, by entering this competition, you are contributing to the conservation efforts of our Australian #wetlands - by showcasing the diversity and abundance of #wildlife and plants that are present within these important #ecosystems. Because when we change the way you look at things, the things we look at... change.   #natureconservation #bluecarbon #biodiversity #marineconservation #naturephotography #ecosystemrestoration #floodplain #ponds

A busy weekend dealing with home stuff meant little opportunity for wildlife photography. So, instead I took a stripped down kit and a packet of sandwiches to the office today with the aim of concentrating on insect photography at lunchtime. I only had twenty minutes or so, but the two ponds at the Met Office provided a good opportunity as the fringing vegetation was thronging with newly-emerged Azure Damselflies. Like electric-blue darning needles, these insects are normally flighty, but with today's weather being a little more overcast my impression was that they were allowing me a slightly closer approach than they would normally. The cloud also made the natural light less harsh, which meant I didn't need to use fill-flash to soften direct sunlight. I have many more images to process, but this one caught my eye as I like the composition with the blade of grass drawing the eye onto the subject. The Azure Damselfly can be found across most of Britain - south of the Central Belt in Scotland - and across Ireland. Look for it in most areas with ponds or other freshwater habitats. There are several similar but rarer species, but the Azure Damselfly is a good species for any dragonfly enthusiast to begin with as identifying this common and widespread species allows you to spot something rarer when the opportunity arises. I find the Canon R7 with Canon 55-250mm lens is a good dragonfly and butterfly combination, but for smaller species I might try using one of my extension tubes to provide closer focus and more frame-filling shots. #WildlifePhotography #Dragonfly #Damselfly #Devon #Wildlife #MacroPhotography #CanonR7

As a wildlife photographer, the welfare of my subject is the priority. The last thing I want to do is disturb the roe deer I photograph, and I have a few methods that I use to ensure my presence doesn’t cause them any stress. However, all those techniques - using my voice for recognition, slowing down or changing the direction of my approach, pretending to browse on vegetation, sitting down - rely on me seeing the deer before they see me or before I get too close to them. There have been a few times where I've almost literally stumbled across a resting deer and we've both jumped out of our skins - an upsetting and frustrating experience. But how could I stop it from happening?  I started to see more articles and adverts mentioning thermal imaging and it piqued my interest. I knew that people tracking and monitoring wildlife used the technology, but I hadn't considered using it for my photography. However, I had some money saved for new equipment and decided to investigate if it would be worthwhile buying a thermal monocular.  In my latest blog, I explain how I’m now using thermal imaging to avoid disturbing my local roe deer and capture images like this one. 👇 https://lnkd.in/dStrVt-M #blogger #WildlifePhotography #NatureWriting #WildlifePhotographer #NatureWriter #Photography #Photographer #AmWriting