As a photographer, I run into situations which happen so fast that I’m lucky to get any kind of photo at all, let alone the kind of photo I want to take.  So, when those situations pop up, I apply the coyote rule.  What is the “Coyote Rule” you ask?  That’s what we’re talking about today.

I try for wild animal photos every so often.  I’m not very successful most of the time.  However, I get a photo I like every so often.  This is the story of one of my first attempts to seriously photograph a wild animal as a photographer.

The Backstory

I was hiking around Massacre Rocks State Park in Idaho through some tall grass when I came upon an area where most of the grass had already been smashed down.  By the time I realized why the grass was pressed down, it was too late.  I had caught the attention of the 2 coyotes who were relaxing there.  The coyotes were scared off.

I started to try and get the photo I wanted but I had my wide angle lens on my camera.  I wanted more magnification power so I started to slowly swap lenses.  However, the coyotes ran off before I could make the swap happen.  Obviously, I don’t have a photo to show of that particular part of the hike.  I was very bummed about missing out on that shot.  Since I was very new to photography, it’s likely that the shot wouldn’t have worked out anyways, but that didn’t change how I felt.

I learned a valuable lesson from that experience.  I learned that, when there’s a tiny window of time for getting the shot I want, that I use what I have to get SOMETHING then I try to get the shot with the gear I want to use if there’s time to do so.  If not, then I have something at least, even if it doesn’t work out in the end.

Photography Tip: The Coyote Rule

The tip is especially relevant in wildlife photography but is still applicable to other photography genres as well.

Learn from my experience.  If you’ve got your camera with you and stumble into a photo opportunity, take the shot with the equipment you currently have ready to go.  Even if that equipment isn’t the ideal equipment for the job.  You never know what you will get or if that will be your only chance to get any kind of shot at all.