Wildlife Photography: Gear, Settings & the Unpredictable Wild

Photographing animals—whether on a once‑in‑a‑lifetime trip or in your local parks—requires more than patience and luck. It demands a strong understanding of camera settings, gear choices, animal behavior, and the ability to adapt quickly to changing conditions. In this class, Leonardo Carrizo will guide you through the essential technical skills and fieldcraft needed to create compelling wildlife images that communicate story, gesture, and environment.

Drawing from his extensive work ,as a photo instructor and travel guide in Alaska, Galapagos, Iceland, and other wildlife‑rich destinations, Leonardo will break down the settings, techniques, and decision‑making processes he uses in the field.

You’ll learn how to choose the right gear, anticipate animal movement, work ethically and safely, and handle the technical challenges that come with photographing fast‑moving, unpredictable subjects. Whether you’re preparing for a major wildlife trip or want to elevate your local nature photography, this class will give you the tools to succeed.

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• Understanding animal behavior and how it informs your shooting strategy
  
• Technical settings for wildlife: autofocus modes, shutter speeds, aperture choices, ISO strategy, and exposure compensation
  
• Working with long lenses: stabilization, hand‑holding technique, monopods, tripods, and gimbal heads
  
• Choosing the right gear: telephoto lenses, teleconverters, camera bodies, and accessories for fieldwork
  
• Shooting in challenging light: early morning, late evening, forests, and harsh sun
  
• Capturing action: birds in flight, running mammals, and unpredictable movement
  
• Ethical wildlife photography and maintaining safe distances
  
• Editing wildlife images: noise reduction, sharpening fur/feathers, and creating natural‑looking color
  
• Preparing for wildlife travel: packing, weather protection, and field readiness
  

Meet Your Instructor!

Leonardo Carrizo is a multimedia photojournalist and educator specializing in visual storytelling for publications, individuals, and organizations—including nonprofits and NGOs. Based in Columbus, Ohio, Leonardo teaches multimedia journalism, photojournalism, user experience design, and visual communication design at The Ohio State University.

In the summers, he serves as a Naturalist and Certified Photo Instructor with National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions, combining his passion for photography with global exploration and education.

Leonardo holds dual master’s degrees in Visual Communication/Photojournalism from Ohio University and Spanish Literature and Culture from The Ohio State University, along with a bachelor’s in International Studies and Spanish Literature. His diverse client list includes National Geographic Student Expeditions, 614 Magazine, The Columbus Dispatch, Cardinal Health, and The Chronicle of Higher Education, among many others.

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