"First of all, study! Study the environment, the animals, your equipment, and imagine the result before taking the shot. Be prepared for changes, and be curious and creative. Remember, you are a guest in their territory, so be a respectful one."
In this gallery, I want to show you how I was camouflaged, the different waiting techniques for placement, and the resulting shots. I could spend some words on my gear, but I prefer to change or upgrade it frequently, and any reference could become outdated. I can say that wildlife photography gear is usually professional, high-performing, and expensive, but it's essential for capturing quality wildlife photos.
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europe
In Europe, and especially in Italy, effective camouflage is essential. Animals are often wary of humans, requiring additional efforts to conceal our presence.
Completely out of the standard time to capture great lighting for photography, between 11:30 am and 3:00 pm, I lay down in the dry riverbed with my dog mat and another mat beneath my camouflage net. Here, I observed many 'little' birds thriving in this specific environment, with perfect conditions for living and feeding. In this shot, you can see a couple of 'Corriere Piccolo' (Charadrius dubius) during their mating dance.
Astico river, 2022/04/30. focal lenght 600mm, 1/2000 sec f/6,3 +1 EV iso 640
Along the Brenta River or Astico River, I set up with a chair, tripod, and some camouflage clothing, blending in easily with the surrounding vegetation. It was a matter of patience and silence. On the right, you can see one of the good photos from the day.
Brenta River, 2021/05/30. focal lenght 600 mm, 1/1000 sec f/8.0 iso 250
Astico River, 2021/02/20. focal lenght 588mm, 1/2000 sec f/6.3 iso 800
Brenta River, 2012/08/09. focal lenght 400mm, 1/5000 sec f/6.3 iso 160
Up in the air in a hot air balloon with my friend Riccardo Contin. Once we got past the fear of the altitude, we took our time to savor the moment and enjoy the breathtaking views of Monte Bianco, Monte Cervino, and the city of Aosta. On the right, you can see one of the good photos from the day.
Aosta, 2018/09/02. focal lenght 200mm, 1/500 sec f/9,0 iso 160
Close to home, still dressed in office clothes, every day I could, I ran to the site where some friends had seen an entire family of foxes. The magic lasted for a few weeks, then all the foxes disappeared.
Bassano del Grappa, 2018/09/02. focal lenght 600mm, 1/500 sec f/6,3 iso 500
Motionless in the cold, with the wind blowing from the right side, it took a lot of patience, but I finally received my amazing prize: a spectacular female roe deer. It seemed to sense my presence but couldn't see me.
Prealps Venete, 2014/12/10. focal lenght 500mm, 1/400 sec f/5,6 iso 800
In a highly effective camouflage suit in the middle of the woods, there's a young male roe deer that seems to see me but doesn't understand 'what' I am. The roe deer appears precisely on the rock behind me.
Prealps Venete, 2021/09/04. focal lenght 600mm, 1/500 sec f/6,3 iso 6400
During a lunch break, while lying down in the snow with my dog mat, I saw a person far ahead walking in the snow. Probably, he alerted the roe deer (there were four of them), and they ran just in front of me. So, no techniques involved, I was in the right place at the right time (but with my camera already set and ready to shoot)!
Prealps Venete, 2016/03/04. focal lenght 400mm, 1/2000 sec f/5,6 iso 800
africa
In Africa, the situation is different, and the dynamics between humans and animals are unique. Typically, you photograph directly from off-road vehicles and/or boats, or if you're accompanied by a knowledgeable and certified local guide, you may even photograph notoriously dangerous animals while walking in the bush. However, it's crucial to adhere to the rules; bad behavior can cost you your life here.
At sunrise, atop a dune in the heart of the Namib-Naukluft National Park.
Namib-Naukluft National Park, 2012/05/02. focal lenght 40 mm, 1/125 sec f/8.0 iso 800
Following the guide, on foot in the bush of Okonjima Nature Reserve, we came across three cheetahs tracking the radio signal from their collars. Our only defense was a wooden stick held by our guide. After carefully checking each step to avoid stepping on snakes or other dangerous animals, we took a deep breath, crouched down, and were able to photograph these magnificent animals face to face.
Namibia, Okonjima nature reserve, 2012/05/12. focal lenght 160mm, 1/2500 sec f/5.0 iso 640
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