Zoom lenses are used by wildlife photographers to take photographs of animals from afar. Zoom lenses are helpful when the subject is too shy or too dangerous to allow the photographer to get a close shot. When photographing in darkness, the wildlife photographer must use artificial light sources. The most common of these devices is the electronic strobe or flash. This tool is a must for photographing nocturnal animals. ("Photography." 1996.) .
Different film speeds are used by photographers when shooting wildlife. Wildlife photographers use slow-speed films to photograph still or slow moving animals. These films are rated from ISO 25/15 to ISO 100/21. These slow-speed films have higher resolution than faster films. They also render finer details with greater sharpness. When photographing a fast moving subject, wildlife photographers use high-speed film. Some of these films have ISO ratings higher than 400/27, but the most commonly used high-speed film is rated around 200/24. These high-speed films sacrifice tone and sharpness for the ability to capture a moving subject without blurring. (Skudrzyk. 1991.).
Aerial photography is used by wildlife photographers to observe and record the distribution of animal populations. They use airplanes and cameras equipped with zoom lenses to accomplish this. To photograph marine or aquatic life, wildlife photographers often use underwater cameras. These cameras have a watertight housing with a glass or plastic window in front of the lens. During daylight, photographs can be taken at depths of 30 feet. Depths greater than this require artificial light. The quality of these photographs depends on the clarity of the water. (Broecker. 1997.).
To photograph extremely shy and elusive animals, photographers use blinds and camouflage. This makes the photographer less obvious to the wildlife and it is easier to photograph them. When even a blind or camouflage cannot be used to photograph a particularly shy animal, motion or heat sensing automatic cameras must be used.