Every evening a couple of local foxes make the rounds through the streets just outside our apartment. I’ve seen them during the day a few times, but for the most part they come out around sunset and stay active through sunrise. Photographing wildlife after sunset presents a challenge that pushes even the best gear, but read on to find out how it’s possible!
Every once in a while I get the urge to find one of them to photograph, and it’s pretty easy to run into one just walking around after dark. Technically, it’s a challenging image because the sun has already set and you have only a minimal amount of light to work with. Creatively, wildlife during the blue hour is unique and offers a simplified color palette. Soft, cool light and complementary colors (orange fox, blue hour) make for a great image.
The above photo was taken at ISO 6400, f/2.8 and 1/200th of a second (handheld). I almost always shoot handheld with wildlife, and dealing with a fox at close range gives you a very short time to photograph. I took 17 photos with this fox before it got up and carried on. This is where a f/2.8 lens comes in handy, not only for seeing through the viewfinder (I could barely see anything) but for getting more light to the sensor.
If your lens is limited to f/5.6, you’d have to either use an even slower shutter speed or increase the ISO another one or two stops. Image stabilization definitely comes in handy here, allowing you shoot much slower shutter speeds than the typical rule of 1/focal length. Even with 400mm, you could get away with a shutter speed of 1/50th. At ISO 6400, you’d have the same exposure as I did. Right after sunset will provide the most light, but it decreases quickly as you go through the blue hour.
Autofocus is another challenge, and arguably where a higher end camera will help you the most. Newer cameras are able to acquire focus in darker environments, even where it may be impossible to see with your own eyes. You can help the system by using the center focus point (usually the most sensitive) and a wide aperture lens (f/2.8 or wider). Focus won’t lock or be correct every time (see evidence below), so you will need to take as many attempts as possible. Placing the focus point over a high contrast area will make focus much quicker compared to a solid color area.
Gear used: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV & Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS (version I)
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Great photograph of an intense stare. I can almost see your reflection in the fox’s eyes. Thanks for the photo tips; I must try it soon. I’ll be shooting with a D850 in the Amazon in a couple of weeks – I hope I have an opportunity to try this “Blue Hour” photography.
Happy New Year! Thank you so much for sharing valuable information. I shall be practicing with the numbers/settings mentioned above. Great pictures of the fox.
Wonderful pictures!
Nice shot. Very helpful information that can be applied in many situations.
Like the photos and the info. Need to learn and experiment more.
I will practice with my dog in the backyard.
nice photos
Great shots and information. Something to try in the future
Thanks for sharing.
I am far from an expert photographer so I am a good candidate for learning. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge! I love your photos!
Very nice. Was thinking of trying something like that with a 400, but it would have to be a 5.6. I will try with an older 1Ds mk3, as I feel it gets mor light than my 5D mk 3. Thanks for the tips! Happy New Year.
Great picture and love the colors! Much appreciated advice that I will certainly try out too. Thank you for sharing.