Small mammals can be fun and productive subjects to photograph. Many of the basics of nature photography apply to this specialty as well. It seems that quite often the first time a photographer endeavors to photograph small mammals, they become so caught up in the subject they tend to forget the basic rules for capturing great images of these endearing little creatures. Here are six rules that I have found to be essential to creating images that will stand out.

1. 1. Know the Subject- While this tip carries over to all types of photography, it is also very important with mammals. If you know your subject, its habits and habitat you will greatly increase your odds of coming home with the images you intended to create. Most people think of photographing mammals when the subjects are in their best coats. The adults are the most visually appealing at this time and do make for great images when they are in their best coats. But do not lose sight of other opportunities that are available. Babies are wonderful subjects to photograph when they first leave the burrow or den. Their playful antics, while difficult to capture on film, make for great images. Look for behavior shots when the young are tagging along after their mothers. This can be a wonderful time to capture behavior and interaction on film. By becoming a better naturalist you will be aware of the right time and place to maximize all the opportunities available.

2. 2. Watch the quality and direction of the Light- The quality of light has an effect on every image. As with other types of photography, early morning and late evening light will add color and depth to your images. The warm tones captured on film during both morning and evening will help create a warm feeling in your images. Mammals are thought of as warm endearing animals, and the warm light will enhance that feeling in your images.

3. Small mammal photography allows for many options when it comes to the use of lighting direction. My two favorites are front lighting and side lighting. Side lighting is great when doing close-up portraits. The shadows created from side lighting can create depth and add drama to an image. Front lighting is great for showing fur texture and detail. Front lighting is also great to use when capturing action shots.

4. 3. Shoot at Eye Level- Getting down on your subject's eye level may not be the most comfortable, but it will allow for intimate portraits and more pleasing images. It also will clean up the foreground and background in the image. A beanbag can add to your comfort. Depending on the height the tripod is set, the photographer can either kneel using the beanbag as a cushion under the knee or use it to sit on when shooting in rough terrain. Staying low will also make your subjects more comfortable with your presence, as they will be less likely to think of you as a predator.

1. 4. Watch the Backgrounds and Foregrounds- Backgrounds and foregrounds are just as important as the subject. Look around the edges of the viewfinder to make certain there aren't any branches or other distracting elements that draw the viewers eye from the subject. Depth of field preview is a handy tool to use to look for hot spots or bright objects in the viewfinder. Sometimes just a slight movement from one side to the other, or raising or lowering your shooting position can eliminate distracting elements. Controlling the depth of field is another way to keep distracting elements to a minimum. Lenses with large apertures allow for a more shallow depth of field allowing the backgrounds to take on a soft blur. This will make the subject will really stand out in the image.

2. 5. Use the Appropriate Focal Length Lens- Shooting little critters can require long lenses. I recommend using your longest telephoto lens. You may need to use a good quality teleconverter to get adequate subject size. A good item to keep handy is an extension tube. In some cases, young mammals will accept your presence and move in close; sometimes too close to focus. The extension tube will cut the minimum focusing distance allowing you to capture intimate portraits.

1. 6. Look for the Action- Youngsters love to play; it is part of learning how to be a big mammal. When you see the potential for action shots of young mammals playing, leave plenty of room in the frame to capture it. Try moving back and hope the action occurs close to where the subjects are positioned. Remember that once the play starts, the game can cover a large area. So be prepared to move and move fast. Shutter speeds are an important consideration when capturing sharp action images. You may have to compromise your depth of field with a smaller aperture to obtain adequate shutter speeds.

Now is the time to do your research, select your small mammal subject and get ready to capture some stunning images.

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