nature photography techniques

The One Rule I Always Break in Wildlife Photography

Brown pelicans off Magdalena Bay, MX.

Every photographer has a list of rules they were taught to follow… the golden ratios, the perfect exposures, the “never shoot into the light” kind of advice.

But here’s the thing…

I break that last one all the time.

Some of my favorite wildlife photos were taken against the light, silhouettes of bears in the sunset, bobcats glowing in golden dust, orca breaking the surface as the last of Norway’s light descends behind the mountains. 

Orcas off Norway. 1/1600, f5.6, ISO 800

Shooting into the light isn’t easy. 

It’s messy. It blows out highlights, hides details, and breaks every clean rule of composition. 

But it also makes the wild feel alive.

And honestly, I struggle most of the time to get it right. 

When you’re shooting backlit subjects, figuring out the best ISO and shutter speed is always a challenge. 

You rarely have much time to adjust. 

Maned Wolf off the Northern Pantanal. 1/640, f14, ISO 800

With wildlife, you don’t plan for backlit images, you get lucky with them.

Maybe you’re sitting in an area where you know elephants will be passing along a well-worn trail, and you get that perfect chance to prepare. 

But most of the time, you don’t get that choice. 

You’re gifted the moment when the animal suddenly turns left instead of right, or when the whale passes on the “wrong” side, and suddenly, the sun is behind them.

That’s when it happens.

Bobcat off Florida. 1/1000, f5.6, ISO 400

The light burns through the edges of their body, wrapping them in fire, color, and shadow. 

It’s beautiful chaos, the kind that tests your instincts and rewards your patience.

Most animals prefer to keep the sun behind them as they move past people, it helps them see us better. 

And when they can see us better, they relax. 

That small bit of awareness gives us something real: a moment of trust, framed in gold.

Polar Bear off Churchill. 1/1000, f5.6 ISO 640

Photography is supposed to make you feel something, and light, real light, isn’t always neat and controlled. 

Sometimes it’s harsh, unpredictable, wild… like the animals themselves.

If you only ever follow the rules, you’ll get good photos, sharp, balanced, technically correct.

But if you’re willing to bend them, that’s where the magic starts. 

Brown Bear family off Katmai, Alaska. 1/1250 f32, ISO 1250

The image might not be perfect, but it will have a heartbeat.

Every time I press the shutter into the light, I’m reminded that photography isn’t about perfection. 

It’s about emotion, the quiet honesty of what it felt like to be there.

So yes, I shoot into the light. I chase it, even. 

Because the wild isn’t meant to be tamed… and neither is the way we capture it.

A Few Tips for Shooting Into the Light

Shooting backlit wildlife is one of the hardest things to get right, but when it works, it’s magic. 

Here are a few tricks I’ve learned (mostly the hard way):

  • Watch your exposure, not your instincts.
    Backlight fools your camera’s meter into underexposing. Don’t trust the screen, watch your histogram and move it slightly to the right to preserve shadow detail.

  • Use spot metering when you can.
    Expose for the light on the animal’s face or body, not the sky. That’s where the story is.

  • Embrace imperfection.
    Backlit shots rarely look clean, and that’s the point. Let the light spill, let the edges glow, let the wild be wild.

The Art of Predator Photography: An Introduction

This is part one of a six part blog photography series.

African Lion. 1/1000, f/7.1, ISO 1000

There’s something about locking eyes with a predator through the lens—knowing that, for a brief moment, you're in their world, capturing something raw, something untamed.

Whether it’s the silent stare of a lion in the Savannah, the calculated movement of a jaguar stalking its prey, or the raw power of a brown bear charging through a river, predators make for some of the most exhilarating and challenging subjects in wildlife photography.

But photographing these apex hunters isn’t just about pressing the shutter—it’s about understanding them, respecting them, and learning how to capture their power and presence in a way that tells a story.

This series is all about that.

There’s a reason why predators command attention in photography. They are the ultimate survivors—designed by nature for speed, strength, and strategy.

Unlike prey animals, predators don’t blend into the background. They are the ones doing the chasing, the ones shaping the balance of the ecosystem. And when you’re lucky enough to capture them in action, the result is an image that demands attention.

But that’s also what makes them so incredibly difficult to photograph.

Crossfox off Churchill. 1/1250, f/5.6, ISO 800

The Challenge of Predator Photography

Predators don’t pose for the camera, and they definitely don’t wait for the perfect lighting.

To capture them properly, you have to:

  • Understand their behavior – What triggers a hunt? What signs show aggression or curiosity?

  • Anticipate movement – Where will they go next? How do you stay ahead of the shot?

  • Adapt quickly – Lighting, distance, angles—every moment is different.

  • Stay safe – Knowing how to get close without becoming part of the food chain.

This is what makes predator photography a game of patience, skill, and respect. You’re not just taking a picture—you’re stepping into their world, and you have to be ready for whatever happens next.

North Carolina Black Bear. 1/1250, f/5.6, ISO 640

Ethics & Respect: Photographing Without Disturbing

One of the biggest responsibilities of a wildlife photographer is knowing when to shoot and when to back off.

Predators are not models. They are hunters, mothers, and territorial defenders.

Disrupting their behavior—even unintentionally—can mean the difference between a successful hunt and a failed one.

Florida Bobcat with sunset colors. 1/1000, f/5.6, ISO 400

A few rules I follow:

  • Never interfere with a hunt – Let nature take its course.

  • Give them space – A long lens is your best friend.

  • Learn to read their behavior – If a predator starts reacting to you, it’s time to back off.

  • Stay hidden when possible – A concealed presence means you see them as they truly are.

A great predator photo isn’t just about proximity—it’s about capturing their world without intruding on it.

What’s Coming Next in This Series?

Predator photography is about more than just pointing a camera—it’s about knowing your subject, understanding your gear, and being prepared for anything.

Over the next few posts, we’ll dive into:

  • Safety tips for photographing predators in the wild

  • Best cameras, lenses, and settings for predator photography

  • How to track and anticipate a predator’s movements

  • Techniques for capturing motion, power, and personality

  • Post-processing techniques to enhance your images

Jaguar in the Pantanal, 1/3200, f/5.6, ISO 1600

Capturing a predator is more than just a photo—it’s an experience. A moment where you connect, even briefly, with the untamed wild.

And once you get that first shot, the one where the eyes lock, the muscles tense, and you realize you just captured something extraordinary… you’ll understand why we keep coming back for more.