When I photograph wildlife I don't always have the luxury of placing my subject on the best backgrounds like I would with a model in a studio. But that doesn't mean I shouldn't be doing my best to get the photos of animals on a good background.

The term "isolate" means to keep your subject free of distractions in the background. This could mean branches, bushes, buildings, or any other object that draws the eye away from your subject.

A great way to do this is to use a wide open aperture (f2.8, f4, etc) so you increase the blurriness of the background (bokeh). Another option is to look for wildlife in areas without the clutter of trees and bushes, such as on an open prairie. Try getting down low and really composing your subject without all the distracting features around your subject. As possible, compose your subject on a contrasting background (white bird on dark sand; dark moose against blue sky).

Bald_Eagle_DH_1An adult bald eagle looks directly at the camera on a wet, cloudy day in Dutch Harbor, Unalaska, Alaska.