Now that the weather is more inviting, birds and animals—and the people who like photographing them and nature—are more active. This lends itself to incredible opportunities, if you have a lens that allows for great images. At Art’s Cameras Plus, we not only have fun FOCUS Group events to get you outdoors, but we also have just the right piece to enhance your pictures and your wildlife portfolio: the Tamron SP 150-600mm G2. Stop in to see this lens for yourself, then put it to the test with these top four tips from experienced photographers who trust Tamron.

1. Take Yourself Out of the Picture By this, we simply mean hide. Making yourself inconspicuous improves the chances of getting up close and personal with wildlife, without altering their natural behavior or scaring them away. You won’t be able to move much once in place, so choose a position that will give you the best angle when the moment is right. For wildlife photography, this often means getting on the ground and staying under cover for long periods.
2. Just Wait No matter how excited you are to finally see your target, wait a moment. Let the bird or animal get used to its surroundings for a more peaceful, perfect picture. Rushing a snap often results in sudden movements, scared animals, and missed opportunities. Take a deep breath, slowly turn your lens toward the subject, capture it in your viewfinder, then capture in on your memory card.
3. Know What It Takes To get perfect shots of wild animals, you need the right equipment, like the new SP 150-600mm G2 on an APS-C camera. The crop factor of 1.6 means you’ll get a focal length of almost 1000mm at the extreme tele setting, and that lets you fill the frame with even the smallest songbirds in full format. The light weight of the SP 150-600mm G2 is a clear advantage as well, since you’ll likely be on your feet or holding your equipment for a long time. Best of all, the autofocus is very quick and that’s absolutely crucial when capturing wildlife in the elements.
4. Picture It and Be Patient Don’t just hope for fantastic random snapshots—know that it takes planning and patience to get that perfect image in your mind onto a memory card. This can mean taking the same photo over and over, at different times of day, in all kinds of conditions, from slightly different angles, and with a variety of lenses and/or filters. Eventually, the stars will align, and you’ll have exactly what you wanted, or better.

Any photo shoot can be a little wild—the key is to keep your eyes open at all times and be aware of your surroundings and how your subjects react to you. With the right equipment from Art’s Cameras, you’ll be ready for anything. Whether you want to buy or rent photographic equipment, take a photography class, or learn about new cameras and accessories that help you be a better photographer, it’s all available here, along with our promise to exceed your expectations for quality, service, and value. Find out for yourself—stop in or call us with your questions: (262) 542-6222 in Waukesha or (414) 727-0234 for our Greenfield store.