Very few animal species see humans as prey. Being at the top of the food chain definitely has its advantages! However, like with many good things, there are downsides as well. Most animals are deeply and instinctively afraid of humans. For wildlife photography, that can be quite a challenge.
To get around this problem, you can borrow a solution from the animal kingdom: camouflage! When you learn how to blend into nature, you’ll be less likely to scare away your subjects – which is good both for them, and for your photos. In today’s article, I want to provide camouflage tips for wildlife photographers based upon my extensive experience.
Table of Contents
Camouflage Is Not Always Necessary – And Sometimes It’s Detrimental
To kick things off, I should mention that wildlife photographers obviously do not need to employ camouflaging techniques all the time. You don’t need to look like a member of the Special Forces to take good wildlife photos. Nor do you need to spend all day sitting in a bird blind, staring at an empty tree branch.
The most obvious example is urban wildlife photography. For better or worse, such animals have adapted to live alongside people, even feeding on our leftovers. They stop being scared of our everyday behavior. (This is scientifically referred to as habituation.) So, just go out into the city and wear the most ordinary clothing you can find, and act normal – or at least, as normal as you can as a photographer.
That said, you should still make sure to use careful techniques even for urban wildlife, or other wildlife that isn’t very scared of you. The key is to pretend to be completely disinterested! Avoid walking directly toward the bird or whatever animal you’re photographing. And, ironically, don’t make any particularly careful movements.
Think I’m exaggerating? Try it yourself. Go up to a common bird in your local park. When people walk past it, it almost lets them step on its head. And now you. Just approach it, looking at it intently, and it’ll fly or hop away. Even the most relaxed wildlife will act cautiously if you are blatantly focusing your attention on it.
Once, my friends and I got a tip about a Saker Falcon nest near a bike and skating park. While we were in the car and people passed by on the path, the Falcons sat quietly on the nest. But as soon as we got out, wearing camouflage jackets and pants, panic set in. These intelligent birds saw us as a threat specifically because our outfits and behavior were outside the norm. It didn’t matter that it was a camouflage print – it made us stand out like neon signs.
Different Types of Camouflage for Photographers
The situations I’ve described so far are common for urban wildlife photography, and other wildlife that is habituated to people. But it’s true that, more often, camouflaging techniques will help rather than hurt your chances of success. Here are the most important types that you need to know.
1. Your Car – a Portable Hide
The second simplest form of camouflage (right after “no camouflage”) is your car. Most animals don’t see you as a human when you’re in a car. While inside a car, you have a better chance of getting closer to wildlife. Even a slightly open window doesn’t usually trigger a panic reaction.
Believe it or not, birds can even distinguish between different cars, and they’ll be more relaxed if you’re familiar to them. Last week, my friend showed me his favorite Heron site in the southeastern Czech Republic. When we arrived there in his Škoda car, the birds were completely calm. But when more of us arrived a few minutes later in a Volkswagen, panic broke out. It took several hours for the birds to realize that the German Volkswagen was just as harmless as the Czech Škoda.
2. Fashion Sense
Many wildlife photographers use various camouflage pants, shirts, and even hats and gloves. I am one of them – my wardrobe is so camouflaged that I sometimes think my closet is empty!
Although camouflage patterns can work well for photographing mammals, I don’t find it to be a great help for bird photography. Fooling a bird’s keen eyesight and outsmarting their sharp brains (yes, birds are quite smart) usually requires a different level of camouflage.
Let me give you an example. Near the village of Mindo in Ecuador, I discovered a nest of Golden-headed Quetzals in an old, rotting tree. At the time, I was dressed all in camouflage, with a hood over my head and a net draped in front of my face. I waited motionlessly for the parents to bring food to the chicks. After a while, the male flew in with food in its beak, then looked right at me. Its glance spoke for itself. Although birds do not have well-developed facial expressions, I could read “amateur…” written all over its face. For reference, I looked about like this:
An alternative option, which is a bit more effective for skittish birds, is the so-called ghillie suit. It works especially well if your goal is to photograph mammals. Depending on the wind direction, you will be practically invisible to mammalian senses. Birds can still pick them out with their much better color vision than ours, but it’s a step in the right direction.
By the way, I don’t recommend wearing camouflage in certain areas, simply as a safety precaution. When I tore my pants in the field in Colombia, I had to buy new ones. I was recommended military digital pattern pants by Colombian Army soldiers. They said that both they and the FARC guerrilla units use a slightly different pattern, so neither side should shoot at me. That made me feel better… to some extent.
3. Camouflage Nets
So, what do I use when I really want to blend in with nature? I usually work up from basic methods to more advanced camouflage. The simplest thing I use, as I mentioned a moment ago, is a combination of camouflage clothing and a full-body net (shown below). It’s not going to convince the most skeptical birds, but it will still help. At a minimum, even if the animal registers you, they will not necessarily think of you as a human, so you may be able to get a bit closer.
Camouflage nets are very versatile. I will sometimes even drape mine over my car if I expect to be sitting in place for a while. You can also use it to make an improvised hide, rather than draping it directly over yourself.
This being the modern world, there are also camouflage nets designed for photographers, with a hole for your lens to shoot through. As well as similar products for hunters that can serve a similar purpose.
4. A Dedicated Hide
The most extreme option to conceal your presence (short of setting up a remote camera trap) is to use a hide. Unlike any of the options so far, hides will not only allow you to blend into the environment, but also conceal your movements. That’s because hides are essentially pop-up tents or even permanent structures that you can remain inside.
Your movement will be perfectly hidden by a photo tent, so as long as you stay quiet, even the most skittish animals will relax. In terms of specific products, there are many possibilities because the needs of photographers and of hunters are overlapping. That said, I recommend getting something with adequate windows for your lens, so that you can scope the environment and compose your photos easily.
Tents are also nice because they provide some protection from the weather. Keep in mind, however, that unlike camping tents, most hides (whether photography or hunting) usually don’t come with a floor as standard. Sometimes there’s an optional one. But I actually prefer it without. The lack of a floor allows you to pick up and move the hide while you’re inside, and you can easily set up right in a shallow stream bed, for example. I do both those things quite often.
My final tip is to leave the hide set up in the environment for long periods of time, if you can. Animals can be wary of new things in their environment. Set up the hide somewhere with adequate food, water, and (for bird photography) perching spots. Keep it there for a few days, weeks, or months, and the animals will behave like it’s not there at all.
Another advantage of the solid hides is that they can be left in place for extended periods of time. If the situation allows it, of course. After all, animals are not only afraid of humans, but also of new things in their environment. If you leave the hide in a suitable place for, say, the entire spring, the animals will learn to ignore it completely. Give the birds a reason not only to ignore the blind, but to seek it out, and you’ll have a photo feast. That reason can be food, water, nesting or perching opportunities.
Summary
As you can see, there’s more to camouflage than just wearing a green and brown patterned shirt. If you want to take photos of skittish wildlife, you may need to dive into the world of camouflage netting and even dedicated hides. Conversely, sometimes the best camouflage is no camouflage, particularly for wildlife that is already habituated to humans.
What is your experience with camouflage and blending with nature? I would appreciate your questions or stories in the comment section below.
I will not comment camouflage itself, but I suggest you remove the photo taken in the ecuadorian rainforest. I think it is very irresponsible to carry a child during an adventure in such terrain. In our Alps, we read daily about cases where parents carry children and even babies on demanding tours. Maybe the child really likes it, but let’s think about possible unforeseen events that could also endanger life.
I understand Matjaž that it may look adventurous, or even irresponsible, but believe me, I would never compromise the safety of my children. The tropical forest at 2000m where this photo comes from poses no more danger than the forest around my house. Even more so on my back. The greatest dangers come from our inattention and often lurk where we feel safest. Like on the way to work.
The biggest benefit of camo for me has been to hide from other people, not the animals. Even other wildlife photographers will come up to me to chat (“gee is that the new 500mm?”) and scare away a subject I’ve worked hard to build its trust.
I know exactly what you’re talking about, Verm. This was the main source of my disillusionment with Costa Rica. Annoyingly often, when it looked like I was going to take a photo, someone would come up behind me and thwart my efforts.
The use of Camouflage from my experiences, does undoubtedly assist with the stealth aspect it creates for creating Photo Opportunities.
I generally visit for Photography Purposes remain in the UK, visiting locations within 10 miles from my Home.
I use a vehicle to travel through Farm Tracks or alternatively walkout in to the Agricultural Land, and can cover about 10 miles as a Trek.
I use Forestry designated for Recreational Use, where the area accessed can be 200ish Hectares, and can usually cover a few miles as a Drive or Trek, but will more likely plot up at locations where the light is most attractive.
I use local Nature Reserves with a area of 30-100 Hectares, all Treks, no Vehicle access.
My own Land of 4 Hectares is 85% given up for light grazing, but 100% dedicated to preserving a Natural Environment for Wildlife. No Camou, Ghillie Suit and Vehicle is used to create opportunities.
From my experiences it is also down to the how the Photographer is concealed and just important the distance between subject and Photographer, increasing a distance to an additional 3 mtrs ( 10ft), can prove to create a perception that ones presence is not causing aloofness in the Subject .
One other consideration, and one not usually seen evaluated, is how the Photographer likes to perceive their subjects contentedness with them being present in the Subjects space.
I like to feel assured, my captures are of Wildlife being very natural and not concerned for my local presence, I like to sense that the Subject is not being overly aloof, as a result of my being local.
Not easily proven, but for me the ideal would be the only concern being expressed by the Wildlife is their natural alertness for predators that are usually evaded.
Even during Macro Photography of Invertebrates, a Shadow passing over them will make them move from their rested position.
I find that by using a Car, allows a very close approach to be made on a Typical Wildlife Subject.
I have known a few perching locations for a Owl, where without a Car I have got within 30 mtrs (100ft) of the Bird before it took to flight.
After a few attempts with a vehicle I have got to approx’ 5mtrs (15ft), which is as good as a Shortest Focal Distance for Long Reach Primes.
If the Vehicle is parked at a location known for subjects to visit, subjects will arrive and stay very close to the vehicle for extended periods, even Deer have done this.
These capture opportunities, due to subject distance, can mean Portrait only for certain Subjects when a particular Lens Type is in use.
I feel confident in achieving my Capture Goal, where the subject is being perceived to remain quite contented, probably only on alert to natural threats, when using a Vehicle as a means on concealment.
Even though limited in a means to access a area to be used for Photography, this is the first method I will assess to be used if doing a reccy, it is very comfortable and can be used to create a desirable climate to be set up in for all weathers safe to go out in.
A Hide, albeit it a Permanent or Portable Structure is the same as a Car, only limited by the location of the Permanent Structure or the foot work needed in advance of using the portable type.
The opportunities are identical when the Wildlife does appear, the Human in a Hide enables the subject to remain quite contented, in my assessment to be seen as only on alert to natural threats.
As for Comfort, if it’s Cold or Hot, appropriate measures will need to be put in place to counteract the effect of these.
My other method is a Ghillie Suit, ( Firstly the G’kids love it. G’dad is a Talking Tree)
I am not going to suggest where I use a Suit there is a limitation to where it is used, but their is, as others that might be met on route somewhere might become alarmed through meeting such a strange unusual individual.
They might even become alarmed for the own security.
With the above in mind, if not worn on my owned Land, it is a Back Back Filler and put on at the chosen Location.
My experiences are that a Ghillie suit worn with 8-10 mtrs ( 25-30ft) and anything less, will cause a concern to Wildlife if the Ghillie suit is exposed to be seen, and not concealed in Local Flora Cover.
The longer the exposed Photographer remains in one place, and if Wildlife is a repeat return visitor, there might be some detection the alertness to the Ghillie Suit presence is waning, but there will always be a level of aloofness.
I suggest to observe a Subject that is being perceived as only on alert to natural threats, when using a Vehicle as a means on concealment.
As for comfort, keeping one concealed in very Hot Weather can be very uncomfortable.
Keeping Hydrated with Hot or Cold Drinks is most likely the one that is to blow your cover.
One of the issues with camouflage is that to be effective it has to replicate the environment. I see a lot of bird photographers habitually wearing light brown duck hunting cam. This might work if they were in the wetland areas this pattern replicates, but they stick out like a sore thumb in cloud forest. When NATO forces first started operating in Afghanistan the various versions of forest cam they wore had to be rapidly replaced with something appropriate to the desert environment. So if you think you need cam, then you might have to invest in a range of options.
But more to the point – if you are close enough to photograph a bird then nine times out of ten it is aware of your presence, regardless of what you might be wearing. If you start to behave in a menacing manner – staring at it, walking straight towards it, making quick movements, making loud noises – it will at some point move away.
So camo “might” provide a small advantage in the right circumstances, but for many photographers learning to move quietly, approach the bird at oblique angles, and generally act in a non predator-like way will pay bigger dividends.
I mostly photograph birds, and I don’t have any camouflage clothing at all. I think as long as you move around, camouflage barely doesn’t matter at all, and when you stay quietly in one place for a while, many birds will get used to your presence no matter how you’re dressed (although I do avoid very bright and red colors).
The only camouflage I occasionally use is a pop-up tent.
Yes, that’s basically what I’ve found. With birds, it’s often all or nothing. Either you have a blind that completely hides you, or you can dress like you’re going shopping. If a bird then approaches you, it is not a matter of how well camouflaged you are, but of the tolerance level of that particular feathered individual.
I’ve been photographing wildlife for 25 years now, and I’ve never once used camouflage! Fortunately I live in an area where you can get very close to birds and other wildlife as they are used to people. I served 6 years in the military/intelligence, and did multiple deployments to Afghanistan. In Afghanistan you’re usually engaged from long distances and often while inside an armored vehicle. We had the ability to easily locate/triangulate the enemy positions through different technologies. Anyways long story short, I don’t buy into the camouflage ideology…despite knowing a lot about the subject.
Camouflage is important for snipers and some other use cases and I’m not here to dissuade anyone from using blinds or “camo.” I just have a lot of experience and I’ve never found myself in a situation where camouflage would’ve helped me. I’ve been as close as 8ft away from Great blue heron and had to back up for my 500mm f/4E FL to focus, so I have no issues getting close. Plus I have a TC-14E III which gets me to 700mm f/5.6 and it’s still incredibly sharp and fast AF wise. While I won’t argue about blinds/hides, I will say camouflage clothing is sorta a joke. I would honestly laugh at anyone who was wearing camouflage around here, lol.
The only camouflage I own is my lens coat…and I have zero issues finding or getting close to wildlife. Obviously everyone is different and I’m not here to argue you shouldn’t use camouflage, I’m just giving my opinion. For what I shoot and with my skill level and experience…it’s a joke to me, at least! The US Army spent countless millions on their former BDU’s and it ended up being the worst camouflage ever. It didn’t work in any environment…let alone Afghanistan or Iraq. Anyways, I just think you’d be better off spending money on a trip or say take a lesson or a class.
Are there any benefits to adding camouflage to a telelens, e.g. the Tamrom 150-600 (for ex. a LensCoat-style thing)? By itself it is a large black cylinder and I can’t stop the feeling that even if I dress and behave the same, the local wildlife is a lot more afraid when carrying a body with that lens attached (birds and mammals)?
In addition to protecting the lens, LensCoat or any other lens camouflage certainly has its camouflaging reasons. I would see it as one of several steps that can help. A black tube certainly looks more suspicious than a “log”. The problem is that the side facing the animal is a large shiny glass disk, and that cannot be camouflaged.
To elaborate on birds’ color vision, just as most mammals are partially colorblind relative to humans, we’re partially colorblind relative to all birds. To a deer, a tiger will look similar to the surrounding foliage. To a bird, our “camouflage” may stand out the way a tiger does to us.
That’s right. While we have three types of light-sensitive (RGB) cones in the eye, birds have four. In addition to what we have, they have cones for violet and some for ultraviolet. They also have better optics and nervous systems associated with vision. We must be a laughing stock. It’s actually very sensitive of them not to make obvious fun of us.
I posit that the first function of the eye/brain is to detect motion against background, ergo have yourself embalmed, plopped at the base of a tree and wait a couple of weeks. Now the true story: Sometimes in late afternoons, when I was a logger, I might take a little break and rest against a stump. I’ve had does step carefully across my outstretched legs, walk on, squat and take a pee [not to mention the squirrels and chipmunks]! -BygByte
That might work. Pretending to be a carcass is a proven hunting trick. But in some parts of the world, I wouldn’t have to pretend for too long, like in Africa. You remind me of my friend’s story. He said he was going to do a three-day fast one day. He was in one place in the woods the whole time. He didn’t eat or even drink (I’m surprised he survived). On the third day, forest animals came to him without any fear. Either he had become part of nature or they sensed his utter defenselessness. Probably a combination of both.
Indeed Libor, the lightweight portable & camouflage net seemed to work for me, already the first time I tried it. I was at sunset, waiting for roe deer to come out; I saw one from far far away on a field, then I put the camouflage net all over myself, the lens on the monopod and the backpack, and started to approach the deer from the open path by walking, as I could see enough through the net to move. It was a male, quite nervous by himself, and did not like the moving novelty; but his partner, a nice she deer, was not really disturbed by me and she let me come closer and closer; it was pretty dark, already in the realm of 40-51k ISO, so with a D# body; then she started hearing the shutter and she was looking with more interest at that strange slowing moving creature, but not understanding it was a human… I was able to get some nice shots before she definitely jumped away, something I could not achieve without the camouflage net! In my little experience it worked quite well :-)
That’s great! Thanks for the nice illustration of how relatively easy it is for some mammals to be fooled. Deer in particular don’t have the best eyesight. At least when it comes to color vision. By the way, here in Czech Republic I’m sometimes worried that I’ll get a bullet from one of the sleepy (drunk) hunters before I take a picture. Wild boar or photographer, who can tell? What about Italy?
Take care! It happened just once to cross a wild boar restriction hunting, but I was on the path and I did my best to let the hunters know I was there taking pictures… but they were well awaken and more interested in what might have come from outside the path and the woods. I kept at least 100m from them (they got one mid-sized, at the end).
But on the hills nearby the animals are very shy, also because the areas are quite populated by humans, they are not national parks, so there are also cultivated fields and farms among them. The animals come out at early morning or late evening, generally, when the light, close to or after sunset, is quite challenging to take pictures. But it happened to take pictures of wolves and roe deer in enough light and wild boars nearly under moonlight, just wandering around in selected areas where I saw traces :-)
I will keep experimenting with the lightweight camouflage net, for sure :-) My net was taken from Outdoor Photography Gear Ltd, UK.
Thank you for another informative wildlife article. Being a hobbyist, I am always fascinated at the type of gear professionals use. One question: in the rain cloud forest photo, you had an unusual bit of gear on your back. Could you provide a bit more information on that? Thanks.
I’m happy to explain, Thomas. Carrying a one-year-old baby on my back was part of my “Raptors of Ecuador” project. Unfortunately, the Harpy Eagle, a specialist in hunting small primates, lives on the other side of the Andes from where I was staying at the time, so my bait missed the mark :-) But seriously. Sometimes the roles of father and photographer meet. And I can’t say that they always support each other. Anyway, it was fun for everyone.