Don't Stare

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Steve

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Trying to get closer to a wildlife subject? One rookie mistake is fixating on that subject and not breaking eye contact as you move toward it.

Cuz you know what else does that?

Predators!

Instead, only glance occasionally toward the subject as you approach and avoid as much direct eye contact as you can. You'll find they often let you get closer. Once in range, slowly move your camera into position and shoot as quickly as possible. Sometimes they see the lens as a big "eye" and it can cause alarm.
 
Great tip!

Especially with especially visually aware animals (like many birds), eye contact is a sure way to scare them off. I'll often approach in a somewhat haphazard path keeping my eyes down and using my peripheral vision until I am in range. Sometimes if the animal seems skittish, I'll even turn my back on them and feign interest in something else!

-Frank
 
Great advice and it’s very true. I once came across a doe and a fawn while on a walk and I slowly got closer and closer by doing just what Steve says. I hardly ever looked at them and even got down on all fours and pretended to eat from the forest floor with my mouth like I was grazing. It took a while, but I got to within 20 feet of them and the fawn got curious and actually walked up to within 10 feet of me to check me out. A very neat experience.
 
Over the many years I've been photographing wildlife it seems the lens pointing at most species really alerts them after which they depart hurriedly. For those of us with good peripheral vision, never looking directly at a bird or mammal is a good way to get closer. Many species of birds and herbaceous mammals seem to have poor depth perception since their vision is primarily in the one eye toward the photographer and you can walk directly toward those to reduce the distance. Almost all predators, both birds and mammals, have excellent 3D vision so walking directly toward them is not a good idea.
 
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Dogs will also charge if you crouch and point a lens at them. Don't forget to stand up and pull the camera away from your face once you get your shot, this will normally make them stop in their tracks.

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Following the 'stare-down' theme...this baldy was kind enough to hang around giving me many photo ops this past winter.
 
Or stand still and let them come to you. Still avoid staring or looking at them; just use your peripheral vison to keep track of them. I've even had herons and cranes peck the ground right around my shoes a few times when I was still enough.
 
Trying to get closer to a wildlife subject? One rookie mistake is fixating on that subject and not breaking eye contact as you move toward it.

Cuz you know what else does that?

Predators!

Instead, only glance occasionally toward the subject as you approach and avoid as much direct eye contact as you can. You'll find they often let you get closer. Once in range, slowly move your camera into position and shoot as quickly as possible. Sometimes they see the lens as a big "eye" and it can cause alarm.
Excellent idea. I was getting as close as I could to a huge male Lion, staring him down and he didn't like it at all! I'll try just glance every now and then next time, see if I can get any closer.? 😂😂😂
 
I purchased your ebook (Nikon focus), thank you, such good info! Wow, you obviously put in alot of time and effort. I'm an ex D300 now D750,[ wanna be a D850, praying for a D5,] user.!?!? I've learnt alot from you Steve, thanks.
 
This is just my technique to get closer. Once I spot my subject I keep my attention on my peripheral vision while standing still and not looking directly at the animal. As soon as I see the subject distracted and look away from me, I take a slow, quiet step forward. I continue that until I get as close as I dare. Then, on the next distraction by the subject, I slowly raise my camera to my eye and when the animal turns around to look at me again I begin taking as many shots as I can. Most times, I get so close that the animal just accepts me as part of the environment. The key is patience and no quick movements. Caveat: It doesn't work all the time. Some animals are smarter than I.
 
I know this is "just" a Possum but it fits the thread. I noticed it at about 75 yards coming across the yard at the nature center parking lot. So I moved next to a tree and just stood there. He only noticed me when I got nervous and moved away! He darn near walked over my feet! Sometimes good things come to you!

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