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Being in the vicinity of nature is a joyful and stress busting experience for most of us. Wildlife photographers, whether professional or amateur, get to experience the nature’s bounty every time they head to a forest or a nature trail nearby. However, when taking pictures of animals or their habitats, it is important to enjoy the nature, and the famous wildlife photographer Joseph Gurdak always recommends this. It’s important to be there in the moment, and at times take some random pictures and videos for your own satisfaction. You can share them in your circle or on social media. Watching pictures and videos on social media groups is a stress busting experience for the viewers and especially so because the times have been challenging since 2020. Not many people could venture out or go on a holiday. In such situations, the nature’s bounty we see on our phones and laptops really comes as a relief. This post discusses some pointers shared by Joseph Gurdak on enjoying the nature and staying safe during photography shoots.

How to Enjoy During Photo and Video Shoots in Nature

As Joseph Gurdak rightly says that whether you are on a nearby hill in your city or in a forest sanctuary a few miles away, or in another country, it is important to enjoy the nature there to get the best clicks and videos. Here are a few pointers:

• According to Joseph Gurdak, to be able to enjoy nature, you first need to accustom yourself to that environment, ensure your safety, and see to it that you have all the basic needs aside from your camera.

• While venturing to unknown places, it is good to be in a group. However, it is fine if you are alone as long as you study the place well before going there by getting maximum information through peers, guides or trainers, Internet, and so on. This helps you become familiar with the place and you have an idea of how to survive there with basic needs.

• The above two pointers are important as you will neither get good pictures nor would you enjoy nature if you are not comfortable and safe. So, this is most recommended point by Joseph Gurdak.

• Through 2020 when most people were at home, we observed that animals were comfortable venturing on the outskirts of the forest or even in connecting highways, and this was ecstatic for many travelers who simply made these videos on their phone and posted them on social media. Watching them brought both surprise and pleasure. This must be one of the objectives of a wildlife photographer.

• It is important to get the right audio visual effect if you are making a video. So, learn to capture the sounds of the jungle which encompasses birds, animals, insects, wind, and at times total silence as well. If you enjoy the moments, the viewers would enjoy them too.

• Getting close ups as well as long shots both are essential, depending on what you need to capture. But, ensure you choose the right angle and length. For instance, you may see a herd of elephants coming from one end where a long shot would work, while if you want to focus on their expressions and behavioral aspects, close shots are required. But aside from all the technicalities, it is important that you enjoy watching those animals in their natural habitat going about their day.

If you are a wildlife photography enthusiast already settled in some other career stream, you need not ditch your hobby. As the famous wildlife photographer Joseph Gurdak points out there are many hobbyists who start taking pictures of pets, domestic animals in their vicinity, trees, birds and butterflies in their habitat. This is actually a great way to start and take some great pictures as an enthusiast. It is very much possible to pursue your hobby on weekends by simply taking a walk early morning in your vicinity or a nearby lake, pond, hill, or any other nature-bestowed spot. There are some recommendations given by Joseph Gurdak which will help you gain expertise in nature and animal photography to the point where you can upload your pictures in relevant groups on social media ort even participate in exhibitions.

How to Start Photography from Your Vicinity

As Joseph Gurdak rightly points out that it is not easy to leave your regular income job and step into this as a career. So, be an enthusiast till you are very sure of whether you want to seek this profession full time or till you get a relevant opportunity with at least some income to survive. Here are some pointers which may be helpful:

• Your pets are almost like a family member and hence it is quite easy to take their pictures. They can be easily taken to a scenic spot, a water resource or a nearby hill or forest to take their natural pictures.

• You can take close-ups if you feel they are deeply engrossed in something or some other creature. If you have more than two pets, you can take long shots to capture their chemistry in a particular habitat.

• Joseph Gurdak recommends socializing with other pets and their owners, so you get a wider variety, and perhaps better pictures.

• In the meanwhile, you can take some pictures of various trees, shrubs and flowers in the habitat.

• Check for species of birds on particular trees or ones having a nest and little ones. Take their pictures from a distance as they may get insecure.

• Check for insects, reptiles, or any other animals such as deer you may see.

• Also see how your pet reacts after seeing all these creatures. This way you may be able to get lots of natural gestures such as a surprise or stare in case they see some creature for the first time.

• Amid all this, choose an appropriate season, and ensure there is enough natural light and sunshine.

• With animals constantly on a move when going about their day, it is not easy to get their pictures when in motion. Be patient and observe. Also, a technical tip is to adjust your camera shutter and a focus mode to capture pictures of animals in motion. Set a panoramic view.

• Be ready to experiment and take multiple photographs. You need to select the best ones later.

• While you can take close shots of your pets, let the wildlife or other creatures be themselves in their natural habitat. Zoom in your camera lens to get close shots; do not go physically close.

Before you choose wildlife photography as a career or even a hobby, it is important to consider various factors such as a long stay in the forest and being patient to get a good picture. But more important according to the famous wildlife photographer Joseph Gurdak is to be able to survive in the forest for days together. So, in this case you should know sources of food and shelter in the forest which are safe for you. You should also know which water to drink. You may not even know some fruits, leaves, insects, and so on, which you may have to consume for survival. After all, you cannot have the comfort of your home there and don’t have access to urban foods, filtered water, and so on that you have been using. There are some recommendations given by Joseph Gurdak which will help you stay put in a forest safe from attacks and without draining your energy. This post discusses just the same.

How to Survive in a Forest Successfully?

According to Joseph Gurdak, staying in a forest requires you to condition your mind and also know the habitat around which would be useful as a food or water source. After all, if you need to stay in a forest for several days at a stretch, you cannot carry several bottles of water and packaged food. You may have seen some TV shows wherein the person staying in a forest knows it in and out, and also knows which part of a tree, herb, or animal would give what. This is not just for food and water but also for a safe shelter. Here are some pointers suggested by Joseph Gurdak which may be useful:

First, go in a group of at least three to four people and not alone, if you are venturing out for the first time.

The only gadgets which can perhaps help you in a forest are your camera and a smartphone.

With the help of some experienced people in your group, familiarize yourself with the flora and fauna found there.

Trace some specific locations where you can take pictures and leave a mark there so that you are not lost.

If there are some indigenous tribes living there, try to get friendly with them. It has its own challenges, but once they start trusting you, these people would be a great help in every situation.

Find a proper source of water such as any lake or river nearby the forest. You may even find a spring or a waterfall, in which case you can store the flowing water in your bottle which may take you through the day.  It would help you stay hydrated as well as get pictures of animals coming to drink water.

If there is no source of water nearby, opt for a solar water still like technique and source locally available materials for filtering the water. You can find out how to make such as still; it’s quite easy.

Build a bonfire as it may get very cold at night. Also, it will protect you from wild animals. Store some wood and dry materials handy for burning.

Carry a cooking vessel with you and the fire would enable you to cook.

Building a safe shelter is crucial. Find a huge branch and start constructing a shelter with the available foliage and dried grass. Let the fire be nearby. Check for the presence of reptiles and wild animals.

Some forests may already have tree houses constructed if photographers and trekkers frequent the area. In that case, it would be the safest option.

Another alternative for a shelter would be a cave. However, it may have wild animals such as bears, lions, and so on., So, before entering the cave make sure there are no signs of any such animals already living there.

Most forests are home to different flora and fauna. So, before venturing into a new area, always get yourselves familiarized with the flora and fauna of the place. This will give you an idea on the consumable and toxic wild fruits, vegetables, and leaves that grow in the forest. If you are checking on trusted websites, you can see the pictures of the vegetation in these areas. Perhaps, you can click pictures and save them in your phone to refer it whenever required.

Finally, Joseph Gurdak always suggests taking help from any professional guides, trekkers, visitors, and photographers around apart from the local tribes.

Do you like to be in the vicinity of nature, watch birds, animals, and other creatures in the ecosystem as they go about their day? Do you like to climb hills, listen to the noise of a spring of water and observe various trees, herbs, and shrubs which come in your way? If yes, you must be a nature lover and it can be an excellent idea to make short films and photographs of the nature you want to tap into your eyes and mind. This is an excellent hobby and stress buster for nature lovers who otherwise slog themselves out in an office environment. Reserving weekends for such activities will help you unwind and turn into an amateur wildlife photographer. Keeping in mind that this is your hobby and not profession, you can upload some of your photos and videos on your social media pages to get some likes from your friends. Joseph Gurdak, the famous wildlife photographer recommends this for amateur or budding photographers. This post discusses some tips on how to go about it and where to explore.

 Combining Wildlife Photography with Trekking

Joseph Gurdak gives away some pointers on how to combine both these hobbies.

Trekking as such can be a wonderful experience in terms of physical activity, exploration, and refreshing your mind. You can go trekking on weekends on nearby hills or in forest sanctuaries in your region. This is can be wrapped up in one or two days.

You can also take some eight to ten days off from your work and head off outside the US. You can tap India, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and many other countries with plenty of forests and wildlife.

Clicking pictures of beautiful things or creatures you find in nature can be an interesting experience. Sometimes, it could be a small colorful bird chirping on a green branch, at other times it could be a bunch of yellow wild flowers that look beautiful.

Initially, you can simply rely on your mobile phone camera. If you feel confident or get good responses on social media, invest in a DSLR camera.

Joseph Gurdak says that wildlife photography exhibitions can help in many ways. Go visit some of them to get an idea how pictures are clicked.

See if you can participate in one such exhibition to get the required exposure.

To be safe, explore the government recognized wildlife sanctuaries where you get the required help and support when exploring wildlife in other countries.

Initially, focus on various birds, butterflies, reptiles, and the flora around. Spot animals such as deer, elephants, rabbits, monkeys, and so on before heading for lions and tigers.

There are people who will guide you on how and where to spot the tiger, especially early in the morning.

Be patient and wait the animal to react or do its chore. Joseph Gurdak says that you need to be present at least two hours before the animals wake up and start with their day to be able to spot some of their peculiar traits and their daily routine.

So, as Joseph Gurdak says, it is important for you to make a diary of your own observations, based on which you can even make a small documentary. This would include everything in that area of nature rom wild flowers to tiger.

Have you ever imagined shooting for a Nat Geo like channel or being in contract with them? It is certainly not easy to achieve but you have to get started somewhere to reach that stage. Joseph Gurdak, the famous wildlife photographer states that you need to seize every opportunity you get when in a forest or even outside, to get a get shot of a wildlife trait. If you are thinking of taking up wildlife photography as a profession, there are certain ways to go about it, and some attributes such as patience you need as a person. Joseph Gurdak utilizes this post to discuss certain pointers regarding professional photography and its scope.

 How to Get Started?

Have a done a course in professional photography and to be more specific, in wildlife photography If yes, according to Joseph Gurdak, these technical aspects you learn during the course definitely help. Here are some pointers you need to know when embarking on wildlife photography as a professional career.

Be ready to travel extensively, across the world, especially in tropical forests.

 Be ready to stay there for months if required. In fact, you may need to stay put in a forest for days together. Joseph Gurdak adds to it that if you are focused on any specific animal, it may take you months to get a desired breakthrough. Hence, be mentally prepared to stay away from your family and friends for a long time.

Globally, wildlife professionals are extremely valued as their pictures and documentation can contribute to several industries such as zoological research, education, and so on. So, your focus needs to be scientific as much as artistic and creative.

You need tremendous patience to get the right picture of an animal in its natural habitat showing its peculiar traits.

Wild animals can be photographed catching a prey as also loving and fondling their little ones. You need to understand them, their schedule in a forest to get such effective photographs.

At times, there have been instances lionesses have been found to care for little ones of other animals. That’s so unique!        

You can start from a nearby forest cover in your area or simply study the species of birds or even tamed animals in your area.

Go for small treks to say some tropical regions; but, before that study the kind of animals you find in each region depending upon the nature, climate, and so on. This will enable you to focus on specific animals in a given area and also the time you see them around.

Refresh the technical aspects you learned during your course as also the camera techniques and angles.

Do not focus only on animals but study the ecosystem at large- the preys the predators, trees, and so on, and you will know their interdependence.

Observe the types of trees, flowers, their medicinal uses, the kind of birds in a given region based on the season, reptiles, butterflies, and other slightly less wild animals. This would really develop a scientific perspective.

Joseph Gurdak adds that studying the human tribes in a forest if any is extremely crucial; however, getting any information from them is quite a task because they usually do not trust urban people. But if you get friendly with them, you would get newfound knowledge about the animals and vegetation in that forest.

Keep in mind that you need to be ready to take a natural shot as the animals won’t repeat their action for you.

Starting off as a freelancer is important to get noticed and this also facilitates an income. Also, getting contracts with big channels or publications is not easy before you prove yourself.

If you aim to take up wildlife photography as a full-time profession and dream of working for Discovery or Nat Geo someday, start creating your base right in college or so. Joseph Gurdak suggests getting the technical details of the camera right, and venture out on trek cum photography outings nearby. 

Wildlife photography is ideally done in forests; however, for a hobbyist or even a professional it can also offer a great experience in local green vicinities, provided they look around a bit.  As Joseph Gurdak, a wildlife photography expert says, wildlife may not necessarily mean wild animals such as tigers, lions, and leopards. It covers much more than just wild animals, such as the flora, fauna, various species of birds, butterflies, insects, and more. If you are a nature lover, try exploring wildlife photography as a weekend hobby by simply observing the trees around you, especially early in the morning. If possible drive a little outside the city and spot for naturally formed sanctuaries. Depending on the season and the weather, you would come across various species of flowers, insects, birds, and so on. If you are bit on the countryside and the road is quiet and green, you may spot peacocks, deer, and so on. This post takes a look at how to explore this hobby without having to go to a far off forest for a long time.

 Wildlife Photography Beyond Actual Wild Animals

Like Joseph Gurdak points out, there are actually many benefits of wildlife photography and trekking, beyond accumulating personal experiences. So pack a small daytime bag and a water bottle along with a good-quality camera and set off to explore your urban area. You can trust Joseph Gurdak when he says that you will find a new perspective in the area you have perhaps known for years. Here are a few pointers which may be helpful:

•  Start off by simply going on to your terrace in early in the morning. Typically, if you stay in a tropical place, you will hear chirping of birds. You can find small birds with amazing colors; slowly start observing their traits such as the branches on which they sit, their sounds at different times, and so on. Slowly as the sub rises, you will see more activity of birds and other animals such as squirrels coming out and running really fast from one end to the other. Observe the trees, their type or the fruit they bear. Accordingly, you would see birds feeding on fruits on trees. Trust Joseph Gurdak this in your lens requires a lot of patience and observation.

• If you go a little further like on a nearby hill, again in early morning, you may just find various species of butterflies, insects, and birds. If you are lucky enough, you may find peacocks as well.

• Discover the species of butterflies, insects, and more. Also find out if there are any honeycomb structures. Study the flora and various trees. If you get to observe and taste the honey in these honeycombs, do it because that will also help you decode the flowers which were used for this honey, and thus its quality.

• On some other weekend, do explore the waterbodies surrounded by a tree cover nearby such as a river or a lake. If you live in a coastal place, do visit the beach in early mornings. In all of these places, you are likely to find migratory birds such as flamingos. You will discover that some of these birds feed on fish and crabs in the sea, and they have a peculiar way of catching their prey.

• On the beach, you may see starfish and other aquatic creates which come out on sand along with the sea wave. If you are lucky enough, you may see dolphins jumping in and out of water right from the beach. It is such as pleasure to watch them.

• It’s mesmerizing to spot relationships of various birds, their nests, and the way they build them.

• Spend some time observing these animals, birds and their behavioral patterns, responses, and slowly you would get to know how and when to capture all this in your lens. Else, it is not easy as by the time you adjust your camera and take position, the bird you spot would fly away.

•  Almost all humans enjoy nature walks, watching the sunrise, star gazing, and so on. During those activities, you may even discover a new species of a reptile, butterfly, or insect. Yes, this is very much possible.

•  Most importantly, document and share these experiences and documenting as it would not only give you pleasure and happiness but would also be useful for future referencing. It would also help create awareness of nature and its conservation among people.

In a typical urban busy life with hectic schedules, it is so essential to find time for yourselves, look within, and wipe off the stress. This can be done in various ways such as pursuing a hobby, going on treks, spending time with family and friends, nature walks, spending your weekend doing wildlife photography. Most of these options take you one step closer to nature, and yes, the last option here is interesting. As Joseph Gurdak says, unwinding amid nature is a beautiful experience and wildlife photography can offer you that. It covers much more than just wild animals, as you also are drawn into the flora, fauna, various species of birds, butterflies, insects, and more. If you are a nature lover, try exploring wildlife photography as a weekend hobby. It will not only wipe out your stress, but you would actually contribute your bit in creating awareness about the conservation of nature, animals, and their ecosystem at large.

 Wildlife Photography Beyond Observing Animals

Like Joseph Gurdak points out, there are actually many benefits of hobbies such as wildlife photography and trekking beyond your personal experience. Those pursuing such hobbies are actually preserving a lot of treasure for us and our future generations. Imagine our future generations of studying animals and birds only in books. That sounds awful right?  It is important for them to experience the beauty of nature, know various animal behaviors through observations and so on. So, here Joseph Gurdak points out some factors regarding how helpful these wildlife enthusiasts and their observations can be if seen in the larger interest.

It is important for such hobbyists to choose the right location. Once they choose it, learn the entire history and geography of the place, which means knowing the animals, birds, insects, trees, and flowers found in the forest area. Also, if there are any indigenous tribes staying there, it is important to win their confidence and know more through them.

Tropical forests are the most likely areas for hobbyists. It is crucial that they know and observe the original and migratory birds, and various creatures found in particular seasons or weather conditions.

Discover the species of butterflies, insects, and more. Also, find out if there are any honeycomb structures. Study the flora and various trees. If you get to observe and taste the honey in these honeycombs, do it because that will also help you decode the flowers which were used for this honey and thus it's quality.

Take a look at the water bodies inside the forest and taste the water if possible. Get some samples to be tested in a lab. You may discover something totally new.

Among the wild animals, you may observe certain behavioral patterns you have never spotted before.

It’s mesmerizing to spot animal relationships; for instance, cubs playing with each other or a mother and a cub spotted together.

Spend some time observing animals, birds and their behavioral patterns, responses, and so on when they are in a group. You may even notice that they go in a particular direction daily at specific time of the day.

You may even notice a few animals in a group who may be more playful and give you some good shots.

In fact, you may even discover a new species of a reptile, butterfly, or insect. Yes, this is very much possible.

Almost all humans enjoy nature walks, watching the sunrise, star gazing, and so on. If you persist in a forest for days and months to get the best shot, you would be awestruck by the spectacular sights the nature offers you. Sharing all these experiences and documenting them would only be further helpful for humankind.

You learn to beat and overcome harsh weather conditions and learn the nuances of it so that you are better equipped next time. By documenting this, you are actually spreading awareness.

Documenting about endangered species and their preservation would help with spreading a word on animal and nature conservation.

Wildlife photography is an interesting hobby, but it can also become a full-fledged career depending on the type and quality of photographs. So, if you are wondering how to be a wildlife photographer or want to pursue it as a hobby, there are many technical aspects you must learn about the camera and its positioning. Also, like the famous wildlife photographer Joseph Gurdak says, it is all about experimenting. There are courses available and you may want to enroll, but enthusiasts may wonder if they want to invest so much in a course. For enthusiasts and aspirants alike, here some tips and tricks for effective wildlife photography, which you may find useful.

 Factors to Learn in Wildlife Photography

There are many aspects you need to consider when learning and practicing wildlife photography. Here are some pointers suggested by Joseph Gurdak, which may be useful:

• Consider the area or the location and its weather. Accordingly study the flora and fauna there, which also change with the season.

• See the time of day or night and the area in the forest where maximum or specific targeted animals or birds are likely to come. This may include a pond or some other water source.

• Many photographers or trekkers in one place distract the animals. So, choose a place with fewer people.

• If you are targeting winters, the crowd would be naturally less; so capitalize on this opportunity and make the most of the short daytime available during this season.

• According to Joseph Gurdak, patience is key to getting good photographs of the animal. You may need to wait for a long time to get good photographs.

• The time you spend there just waiting for the right shot should be utilized well. For instance, observe their behavioral patterns, the time they come to that particular spot, where they may go afterwards, how they behave in a herd, and so on.

• You may even notice a few animals in a group who may be more playful and give you the best shots.

• Befriend some animals if you can and spend some time with them. But this requires a lot of effort and patience.

• If you visit government-reserved sanctuaries or national parks, the animals there are used to humans and their vehicles. So, if you are targeting a close shot of a tiger or a leopard, or any other fierce animal, it is easier to get it in such places. This is because these animals do not panic when they see humans and cars around.

• Joseph Gurdak suggests all wannabe amateur wild life photographers to use long lenses to take close shots of small animals and birds. But you need to handle and carry them carefully. Using these lenses, you cannot afford to move even a bit when taking a picture, else it may lead to a blurred one.

• The photographs should speak a lot about the character or nature of that animal and the habitat around as the latter is just as important.

• According to Joseph Gurdak, DSLR cameras are by far the best option for enthusiasts. They are still affordable and easily available.

• Know your camera and equipment settings really well so that you can make the required adjustments while taking the picture with one eye closed. After all, you cannot miss the crucial moment as the animals or birds won’t wait for you in a given position.

• The time before sunrise and before sunset is the best to utilize natural light in your pictures if you want them to be effective. This applies for sunny days; but, if the weather is cloudy and the sun is not shining bright in the afternoon, you can utilize that time as well.

• Plan your strategy when you are taking pictures of a pack of animals, just the two of them or a solo one. All of them would have different expressions and environments.

Capturing the wild is challenging, but the same time exciting! As a wildlife photographer, you would need to travel deep in the wild looking for a perfect snap of your target. You may in fact require to spend several days or even months in remote areas without the access of essential items. Hence, In addition to your super-telescopic lens and camera, you must pack a few more items that would be immensely beneficial in the unpredictable photography journey. In this post, let’s list a few amongst the essential accessories, suggested by the famous wildlife photographer Joseph Gurdak, you must carry along!

 Things worth Carrying During a Wildlife Photoshoot

As per Joseph Gurdak, always consider carrying the following items even though you are planning a short travel. You never know how and when they find useful. 

Rain Cover: Weather conditions of your travelling destination may be unpredictable. Although todays’ cameras and lenses come as waterproof, don’t take chances of getting the water inside the important bits of your camera.

Additional Camera:  If you can afford, carrying a spare camera that is in a good shape is  always a good decision. All mechanical devises are prone to failure unexpectedly and cameras are also not different to it.

Appropriate Clothing and Footwear: Make space in your bag for the most suitable clothing and footwear that protects you from getting soaked in a sudden downpour or sunburned on the hottest day of the year.

Memory Cards and Batteries: Never miss to carry sufficient memory cards and batteries. It is obvious that you won’t be able to charge your camera, phone or laptop once you get into the wild. Also, you can’t predict the hours of shooting or number of click you make during your stay. So, spare memory cards and batteries will keep you going.

Dome Hide:Conceal yourself and your gear during shooting the wild by carrying a good quality dome hide.

Walkstool: Staying at one place for a long time waiting for your subject will be extremely tiring. You can invest on a portable and handy chair for resting in between.

Headlamp and Night Light Accessories: As a wildlife photographer, you would require headlamp and other night accessories that offer hands-free  illumination for enhanced safety and visibility. You get a variance of     these kinds of products in the market. Choose the best amongst the options     available that serve your purpose.

Camouflage Tape: Wild life gets threatened when they come across unfamiliar subject. Keep your belonging like camera and tripod, among others inconspicuous using a camouflage tape.