Into the Night: Tips for Night Wildlife Photography

Ah, night. That mysterious, moody veil that transforms jungles into echo chambers, safaris into stage sets, and everyday creatures into elusive phantoms.

For the wildlife photographer, it’s a realm that offers both tantalizing challenges and extraordinary rewards. Whether you’re in the dense canopies of Borneo or on a moonlit drive across the savannas of Africa, night wildlife photography is one of the most thrilling (and toughest) genres out there.

But fear not. I’ve spent the last two decades fumbling through forests and chasing after eye-shines from slow lorises to jungle cats. And from all that (sometimes sweaty) trial and error, I’ve come away with a toolkit of simple, practical tips that’ll help you get beautiful, eerie, dramatic nighttime wildlife shots—without feeling like you’re photographing in a coal mine.

Let’s break it down.

Step One: Accept That It’s Hard… and That’s Okay

First things first. Night wildlife photography is tough. It’s okay to admit it. You’re working in ridiculously low light, probably contorted in some strange position, navigating uneven terrain with only a flashlight to guide you. You’re not just a photographer; you’re part ninja, part bat, and part gear mule.

But here’s the thing: it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a few strategic hacks—yes, I said it, even if it's overused—you can dramatically up your success rate and have a ton of fun doing it.

Light: Your Most Critical Ingredient

Skip the Flash, Grab the Torch

Rule number one? Put down the flash. It’s too intense, often spooks animals, and it flattens out those beautiful natural tones. Instead, get yourself a high-quality flashlight—nothing absurdly powerful, just a few hundred lumens will do. I’m a big fan of the Fenix PD36 Pro.

These lights are bright, adjustable, and durable enough to withstand even the muggiest rainforest or bumpiest safari trail.

Pair that with a headlamp to keep your hands free while adjusting camera settings or navigating tricky terrain. Your flashlight becomes your light painting brush. It's how you spot the critters and illuminate your subject—gently and intentionally.

Spotting Wildlife at Night

There are two schools of thought here:

1. With a Guide: If you’re on safari or at a lodge with trained naturalists—lean into that. Their spotting skills are unparalleled.

2. DIY Spotting: If you’re venturing solo (within safety and legal limits, of course), hold your flashlight right between your eyes (yes, you’ll look like an alien) and scan slowly for eyeshine. Many mammals reflect light from their retinas—cats, squirrels, civets—all those little glowing orbs are potential gold.

3. For smaller critters, stay around camp. Jungle lodges often have well-lit boardwalks that attract beetles, frogs, and moths in droves. And trust me, they’re just as photogenic.

Camera Gear: Use What You’ve Got (But Know Its Limits)

You don’t need a six-figure setup. A basic DSLR or mirrorless camera will do well. Point-and-shoots work too. Even smartphones are getting better, though zoom and noise in low-light remain limitations.

What really matters? The lens. And surprisingly, it doesn’t need to be one of those pricey “fast” f/2.8 lenses. Your trusty f/5.6–7.1 telephoto zoom? It’ll do just fine. Most of my recent Borneo shots were taken with a 500mm f/7.1. It’s more about technique than specs.

The Magic Combo: Manual + Auto ISO

This is my go-to setting for just about all wildlife photography, day or night:

• Manual Mode: You control shutter speed and aperture.

• Auto ISO: Let your camera pick the ISO based on your settings.

  
  

Start with:

• Aperture: As wide open as your lens allows (e.g., f/5.6, f/7.1).

• Shutter Speed: About 1/100 sec to freeze movement.

• Exposure Compensation: Dial it down to -1 or -2. Why? You want dark. You want moody. You want nighttime vibes. If you try to overexpose the shot, it’ll look like a badly lit daytime photo.

  
  

Spot Metering: The Game-Changer

Set your metering to spot. This tells the camera: “Hey, expose only for what’s in the center of the frame.” That’s where your light will be, thanks to your flashlight. The rest? Let it fade into black.

Combining spot metering with underexposure gives you this cinematic, otherworldly look where the animal pops and the background disappears. It’s almost studio-like—without ever setting foot in one.

A Few Wild Cards

Red Lights on Safari

Some guides use red lights to avoid disturbing animals. If you get one of these? Embrace it. Let your photo be bathed in red—it’s storytelling gold. Or, if you prefer a cleaner look, convert the shot to black and white in post-processing and amp up the drama.

Macro on the Fly (Without a Macro Lens)

You don’t need to bring a dedicated macro lens. Instead:

1. Zoom in all the way.

2. Set your focus manual AND to the minimum distance (away from the infinity symbol).

3. Move yourself closer or further until the subject is sharp.

This trick lets you fill the frame with small subjects like moths and frogs. It’s pseudo-macro, but it works beautifully.

Editing Tips for Night Shots

I keep my edits minimal, but intentional:

1. Darken the background: Use masks to make anything not the animal even darker.

2. White balance: Flashlights often cast weird color tints. Adjust warmer/cooler and tweak magenta/green to get natural hues.

   
   

These tiny adjustments can make your shots pop without losing that authentic nighttime atmosphere.

Gear Shoutouts & Tools of the Trade

• arthelper.ai: A brilliant AI tool that helps promote your photography across platforms like Etsy, social media, and personal websites. Use code WILD for a free 30-day trial of the pro version.

• Shimoda Designs: I’ve put their Action X40 backpack through the wringer—airports, jungle trails, Borneo mud. It’s my new favorite. Use code whelan10 for 10% off.

• lensrentals.com: Want to try that dream lens for a trip without the hefty price tag? Use WildPhotographer15 for a 15% discount. Renting is a great way to experiment without the commitment.

Final Thoughts: Embrace the Mystery

Night wildlife photography isn’t for the faint of heart—but that’s exactly why it’s worth doing. The quiet of the forest, the glint of eye-shine in the dark, the thrill of capturing something few others have? It’s addicting.

So grab your gear, pack a flashlight, set that spot meter, and embrace the darkness. The nocturnal world is waiting.

See you in the shadows.

—Court