Twelve images. Twelve stories. Real-world practice in the field.
A finished wildlife photograph shows a perfect split second. What it usually conceals: how many gut decisions were necessary beforehand, which hurdles had to be overcome, and what compromises had to be made on location.
In "Behind the Image – Volume 1", I take you behind the scenes of twelve defining shots from my experience as a photo guide and wildlife photographer. Over a drink at a photo meetup, everything sounds easy to explain. But in a canoe on the Zambezi, in an off-road vehicle, or in the hot, humid rainforests of Sri Lanka, seconds decide whether a visual idea succeeds or fails. Naturally, the same applies to less exotic settings right here in Central Europe.
My name is Marco Bügel. I am a professional wildlife photographer, plan and lead exclusive photo safaris to Africa and Asia, and have been passing on my photographic craft to other photographers for years—through courses, coaching, and shared photo trips. During this time, I’ve understood one thing above all: outstanding animal and bird images are rarely the result of pure coincidence or the most expensive equipment. Instead, they come from forward-thinking decisions, quick reactions, a keen eye, and reading the situation on site correctly.
That is exactly where this guide comes in. Instead of just presenting abstract EXIF data or theoretical camera tables, I take you behind the scenes of twelve of my most defining wildlife moments. You benefit directly 1:1 from my practical experience, my preparation, and my honest retrospectives from field work—so you don't have to take the same detours or repeat typical mistakes in the stress of the encounter yourself. I show you transparently which trade-offs really count before pressing the shutter: from the ideal vantage point and coordination with the guide or skipper to conscious compromises on shutter speed and ISO values.
Every chapter follows a clear narrative—from the first encounter and concrete decisions in the field to image processing tips in Lightroom and direct learnings for your own photography. The book is rounded off by my field-tested checklist "My Questions Before Pressing the Shutter". A central principle runs through every single story: respect for the animal and its habitat always comes before the perfect photo!
12 Detailed Image Analyses: From night herons in front of the moon to leopard encounters in the Kruger area to the kingfisher in a rainforest spotlight.
Decisions Instead of Numbers: EXIF data only helps so much if you don't know the context. You'll learn why specific shutter speeds, vantage points, or ISO values were chosen.
Real-World Shooting Situations: Communicating with boat captains, estimating flight paths, and working in harsh or challenging light.
Honest Retrospective: What worked well? And what would I solve differently today based on experience?
Workflow & Image Editing: Insights into targeted light direction and notes on editing in Lightroom.
Tools for Your Own Trips: Including the practical checklist "My Questions Before Pressing the Shutter" for your next photo safari or field trip.
Format: Digital PDF (high-resolution, optimized for tablet, monitor & print)
Length: 55 pages of practical knowledge with large-format photography
Author: Marco Bügel (Photo Guide & Founder of Wild & Untamed Photography)
More courses and e-books: www.wilduntamed.com/fotokurse-ebooks
Nature & wildlife don't wait—and the next great moment is bound to come, often right when the light is tough. Be ready for it this time!
Twelve images. Twelve stories. Real-world practice in the field.
A finished wildlife photograph shows a perfect split second. What it usually conceals: how many gut decisions were necessary beforehand, which hurdles had to be overcome, and what compromises had to be made on location.
In "Behind the Image – Volume 1", I take you behind the scenes of twelve defining shots from my experience as a photo guide and wildlife photographer. Over a drink at a photo meetup, everything sounds easy to explain. But in a canoe on the Zambezi, in an off-road vehicle, or in the hot, humid rainforests of Sri Lanka, seconds decide whether a visual idea succeeds or fails. Naturally, the same applies to less exotic settings right here in Central Europe.
My name is Marco Bügel. I am a professional wildlife photographer, plan and lead exclusive photo safaris to Africa and Asia, and have been passing on my photographic craft to other photographers for years—through courses, coaching, and shared photo trips. During this time, I’ve understood one thing above all: outstanding animal and bird images are rarely the result of pure coincidence or the most expensive equipment. Instead, they come from forward-thinking decisions, quick reactions, a keen eye, and reading the situation on site correctly.
That is exactly where this guide comes in. Instead of just presenting abstract EXIF data or theoretical camera tables, I take you behind the scenes of twelve of my most defining wildlife moments. You benefit directly 1:1 from my practical experience, my preparation, and my honest retrospectives from field work—so you don't have to take the same detours or repeat typical mistakes in the stress of the encounter yourself. I show you transparently which trade-offs really count before pressing the shutter: from the ideal vantage point and coordination with the guide or skipper to conscious compromises on shutter speed and ISO values.
Every chapter follows a clear narrative—from the first encounter and concrete decisions in the field to image processing tips in Lightroom and direct learnings for your own photography. The book is rounded off by my field-tested checklist "My Questions Before Pressing the Shutter". A central principle runs through every single story: respect for the animal and its habitat always comes before the perfect photo!
12 Detailed Image Analyses: From night herons in front of the moon to leopard encounters in the Kruger area to the kingfisher in a rainforest spotlight.
Decisions Instead of Numbers: EXIF data only helps so much if you don't know the context. You'll learn why specific shutter speeds, vantage points, or ISO values were chosen.
Real-World Shooting Situations: Communicating with boat captains, estimating flight paths, and working in harsh or challenging light.
Honest Retrospective: What worked well? And what would I solve differently today based on experience?
Workflow & Image Editing: Insights into targeted light direction and notes on editing in Lightroom.
Tools for Your Own Trips: Including the practical checklist "My Questions Before Pressing the Shutter" for your next photo safari or field trip.
Format: Digital PDF (high-resolution, optimized for tablet, monitor & print)
Length: 55 pages of practical knowledge with large-format photography
Author: Marco Bügel (Photo Guide & Founder of Wild & Untamed Photography)
More courses and e-books: www.wilduntamed.com/fotokurse-ebooks
Nature & wildlife don't wait—and the next great moment is bound to come, often right when the light is tough. Be ready for it this time!
