The Nikon D7500 is, without a doubt, a fantastic camera. Consider its 20-megapixel resolution, impressive low-light performance, and high shutter speed. What do you get when you combine them together? You get a top-tier camera that’s great for almost any type of photography.
This particular Nikon model has also proven its worth in one of the most challenging photography situations there is: wildlife photography. Think about it. You’re outdoors for hours on end, trying to capture images of a subject that’s usually very far away. You have zero control over the lighting conditions around you. Your subject can move anytime it wants to, and won’t respond to any of your instructions. Worst of all, that subject might even try to chase you away!
As a photographer, you’ll face a lot of unpredictability under these kinds of conditions. What more, there’s a real risk that you might walk away without any good photos after all that work! So, you’ll need to make sure that your photography abilities are on-point at all times. Of course, having the right kind of gear for wildlife photography helps greatly.
But is that enough? No, it isn’t. You’ll also need to know a few tricks that are specific to wildlife photography.
Here, we’re going to teach you five best tips for producing fantastic and impressive wildlife photography using the Nikon D7500.
Know Your Gear
Before you even step foot outdoors, you need to first make sure that you know your Nikon D7500 inside and out. This is not an exaggeration. You should know about every feature, every button, and every advantage that the camera can give you while out in the field.
The old-school way to do it would be to sit down and read the instruction manual that came with the camera. Understandably, that might be a bit too boring for most people.
So, go online and read articles specifically about the Nikon D7500’s features. Watch Youtube videos about the camera, as well. Remember: no matter how much of a veteran photographer you might be, there’s always something new for you to learn.
Pay close attention to the functions that’ll directly affect your wildlife picture taking. You may already be familiar with the camera’s zoom, autofocus, ISO ranges and so on. Still, learn more about the focus points and any unique camera modes that might come in handy.
Some photographers might think that they’re above using camera modes to capture wildlife photography. You don’t have to be. Those camera shooting modes exist so that you can leverage the powerful camera technology you have in your hands.
Those shooting modes are designed so that the camera will do the thinking and minor adjustments for you. At the same time, you can just focus on framing your best possible shot. Don’t think of it as a crutch, just think of it as an assistant that’s helping you get the most out of your photography!
Know Your Subject
Once you’ve developed a deep understanding of your Nikon D7500, you need to have a little bit of an understanding about the subject you’re dealing with. Yes, that means you need to have a basic understanding of the animals you want to take pictures of, as well as the environment they live in.
You see, not all wildlife photography is the same. Some animals are harmless, and you can even walk up to take a selfie with them. Others are terrified of humans, requiring you to keep your distance and to move about quietly like a ghost. And of course, you have the dangerous predator animals that will literally try to eat you.
Knowing your subject well is vital for a few reasons. Firstly, you’ll be able to figure out where to position yourself in the environment to get the best pictures of them possible.
Second, the gear you bring with you may be different according to your subject. You’ll still be using your Nikon D7500, of course. But say you need to sneak around the environment to get your shots. You’ll need to bring camouflage to keep yourself invisible to them. Bringing some water and dry food might also be necessary if you’re going to hide in one spot for a long time, waiting for your subject to come by.
Always remember: wildlife photography is a whole different game. In a studio with humans, you can control what happens. Out in the wild, you (and your photography) are at the mercy of Mother Nature.
Get Low!
Grab Your Nikon D7500 And Get On The Ground!
That’s right. When it comes to wildlife photography, you’ll probably have to get a little dirty at some point.
“Wildlife” is a very broad term, and so are the subjects that you’ll be photographing. Birds will fly high in the sky most of the time, but there are plenty of animals much, much closer to the ground. Snakes (if that’s your thing), rabbits, tiny worms (great subjects for macro photography with the D7500); the list is endless!
Even when it comes to animals standing at regular height, getting low has its benefits.
Firstly, it allows you to capture some fascinating perspectives of those subjects. By staying low, you could make your subject look that much grander, especially with the sky in the background. Just imagine what that’ll look like at the golden hour when the lighting is at its best!
On top of that, getting low is also related to the earlier tip of knowing your subject. When you keep your body close to the ground, it’s harder for the subject to notice you. If you successfully avoid spooking those animals, you’ll be able to get much closer to snap that perfect picture!
With that in mind, when you go out with your D7500 camera to capture wildlife shots, be sure to dress to get messy. Also, you might want to bring along a towel and some wet wipes to clean yourself off when you’re ready to head back home.
Be Patient
When you’re out in the wild with your Nikon D7500, be prepared to practice a lot of patience. Always remember what you’re dealing with: animal subjects living their lives out in their natural habitat.
In some cases, you may find it very difficult to even search for the subject you want to capture. If your luck is terrible that day, you might not see your subjects at all!
Birds are a perfect example of this. Ask any birdwatcher or photographer, and they’ll tell you just how challenging it is to look for the specific birds they’re after. Even when the right subjects are found, it may take a much longer time to capture the perfect image of them.
Even if you’re dealing with subjects that are closer to the ground, it’s often true what they say: “They’re more afraid of you than you are of them”. Some animal subjects may only feel comfortable with you approaching them after they’ve developed a familiarity with you. Some examples of these wild subjects include apes, monkeys, and similar creatures.
If you intend on getting close to such animals, you (and your D7500 camera) will have to first make your presence known while keeping a safe distance. Only after some time will you be able to come closer and capture some up-close snapshots. Thankfully, the battery life on the D7500 should keep you going for quite some time.
Of course, you can always pick and choose subjects based on your patience levels that day.
Utilize The Light
Last but not least, learn to make the most of the natural light. Your Nikon D7500 will work well in almost any lighting condition, which is why it’s perfect for wildlife photography.
That natural light is one of the main reasons people love doing photography out in the wild. The only problem is that we have absolutely no control over it. Still, even though you’re at the mercy of Mother Nature in this regard, you can take full advantage of it.
To capture the best lighting, you might have to schedule your photography sessions according to the pictures you intend to take. For example, the golden hour when the natural light is softer and redder is only lasts for a brief moment. You’ll have to be there taking your snapshots either right after sunrise or right before sunset.
Of course, if you’re looking for something darker to give your photos a noir feel, then you’ll have to wait for early-morning or night-time hours to do that.
The point here is simple: when it comes to wildlife photography, you have to plan your photo session around nature’s schedule. Unlike other forms of photography, you don’t get to decide how your subjects or the environment will behave. Also, you don’t get to decide when they’ll do something that’ll make a great photo for you to take.
Having said that, don’t be discouraged. Photographers love doing wildlife photography because ultimately, it’s very rewarding. With these five tips and your Nikon D7500 by your side, you’re sure to capture some of the best images you’ve ever gotten!
