<http://schema.org/articleBody>
"Photographing wildlife can be a challenging task. Whether you're trying to snap a shot of squirrels in your front yard or a majestic herd of horses on an open field, patience is the virtue you'll need. Wild animals can't be told what to do, where to look and how to pose. You just have to be ready to capture any sudden photo-worthy moment on camera.\nFor this week's Mashable Photo Challenge, we want to see stunning shots of creatures in their natural habitats. Award-winning UK-based wildlife photographer William Burrard-Lucas will be our guest host. He is also the creator of the popular website Photo Competitions.\nSee also: 15 Photos That Capture Kindness\nBurrard-Lucas spent part of his childhood in Tanzania. There, he developed a passion for wildlife and nature. Thirteen years later, he got his first digital camera. \"I worked hard to improve my photography, so that I could better document my travels during my university breaks,\" he said. \nSoon, Burrard-Lucas' interests converged, and he found himself traveling often to photograph wildlife and the natural world. For eight years, he practiced photography until he eventually was able to make it his full-time job in 2010. Burrard-Lucas now mainly focuses on photographing wildlife in Africa.\n\nImage: William Burrard-Lucas\n\n\nIn 2009, Burrard-Lucas created BeetleCam, a remote-control buggy with a DSLR camera mounted on top, which he used to take close-up photos of potentially dangerous animals, such as lions, elephants and leopards. Since then, he has developed drones for filming wildlife from above, and his own motion-sensor camera triggers for photographing at night. \n\nImage: William Burrard-Lucas\n\n\nMashable chatted with some of the best professional wildlife photographers to get their tips on snapping images of wild animals. Follow their and Burrard-Lucas' advice, below, and submit your photos by Saturday, June 21 at 9 p.m. ET. Our favorite submissions will be featured on Mashable. \nTips from Burrard-Lucas\n1. It doesn\u2019t matter if the subject is a relatively common animal, such as a squirrel or a pigeon, as long as your photograph is interesting. Maybe you can photograph it from a different angle, in unconventional light or with an unusual composition. Or perhaps you can try to show some interesting behavior, or the animal in a striking environment. Try to think outside the box!\n2. Get low, and photograph animals on their level, rather than looking down on them. This gives the view a much greater sense of connection with the subject.\n3. Take time to get your subject used to you; most animals will be wary of people, but it is possible to gain their trust if you show them respect. It can also help to lie down, so that you are less intimidating.\n4. Spend time getting to know your subject. The longer you spend with an animal, the more likely it will do something interesting, or conditions such as lighting and composition will come together for that perfect shot!\n\nImage: William Burrard-Lucas\n\n\nHow to Enter the Challenge\n\nTweet your wildlife photographs to @mashablehq with the hashtag #MashPics OR\nInstagram your photo with the hashtag #MashPics OR\nUpload your photo in the photo widget below\n\n\nHave something to add to this story? Share it in the comments."^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2014/06/17/wildlife-photo-challenge/>