Photographing wildlife is a common reason to book a room at the Denali National Park. For those who are just starting out, developing the skills to fully capture the beauty of this place may seem impossible. Fortunately, there are a few simple techniques that should let you properly line up the shot and construct an attractive collection of prints. Here's what you should do during your next excursion.

3 Tips for Photographing Animals

1. Use a Zoom Lens

Wild animals tend to be skittish around humans, especially the ones who live in the vast expanse of the Alaskan wilderness and don’t have regular contact. This makes them unpredictable, and they may present a risk if you get too close. 

Use a 70 to 300 mm lens that can zoom without blurring the subject. This lens allows you to capture the moment clearly and from a safe distance.

2. Increase the Shutter Speed

Animals move sporadically because they're always monitoring their surroundings or ducking around trees to escape a perceived threat. Attempting to follow them with your camera increases the difficulty of maintaining a clear focus and can cause your picture to blur.

Employing a shutter speed of 1/250th of a second to 1/500th of a second should be enough to capture your subject. It forces the shutter to move faster and shortens the exposure time, so you have a better chance of securing a quality shot.

3. Boost the ISO

Since the lower shutter speed limits the amount of sunlight that enters the lens, your pictures will turn out darker than expected. This composition will cause you to miss opportunities and end up with images that are less than ideal.

Compensate by increasing your ISO to adjust your camera’s sensitivity to light. The higher the number, the more light your lens will capture during the shutter speed's period, ensuring a brighter result.

If you want to take stunning photos of wildlife at the Denali National Park, book a room at the Totem Inn in Healy, AK. This full-service hotel offers a dedicated staff and several amenities to ensure your comfort. Visit their website for additional information about their accommodations, or call (907) 683-6500 to book a room.