MPB Meets: Wildlife Photographer Mateusz Piesiak

Wildlife photographer Mateusz Piesiak has been observing animals since he was a child. Since then, he has won awards for his wildlife photography—including at the Siena International Photo Awards. In this interview, Mateusz shares his preferred camera gear, advice for creating nature photography, and his thoughts on how wildlife photography can help wildlife conservation.

MPB: Can you tell us about your journey as a photographer? What made you choose wildlife photography as your profession?

MP: I’ve been interested in nature since I can remember, discovering the fascinating variety of animals living close to me, even in the middle of a big city. My journey started when I was a little child, and not even having a camera, I developed my passion by spending every hour outdoors, observing animals, exploring their habits and learning how to understand them better and better. One day I got my first camera, which was a perfect way to leverage that experience and take my passion to another level, allowing me to share the beauty of wildlife through the lens.

MPB: How important is it to understand the animals you photograph?

MP: That is an absolute key. If you don’t know enough about the animals you are aiming to photograph and don’t know their behaviours, the chances for a good shot are close to none. Being familiar with the habits of a particular species allows you to remain unnoticed and silently sneak into their magical world.

MPB: What equipment do you recommend for photographing wildlife?  

MP: One of the basics to photographing wildlife—and succeeding—is the telephoto lens with a focal length between 300 and 600mm. This allows you to achieve rewarding close-ups. You will also benefit from the camera with seven or more frames per second. It allows capturing dynamic scenes lasting only fractions of a second. Beyond typical photographic gear, it is helpful to have camouflage equipment to make you invisible to the animals.

MPB: What difficulties does a wildlife photographer face?

MP: Wildlife photography requires patience and endurance in physically demanding conditions. You are most likely to spend many hours in the cold, wind or rain. You will wake up in the middle of the night to hide in an uncomfortable shelter without a guarantee of the perfect shot. 

MPB: Could you tell us about the most memorable photo you ever took and what made it so special?

MP: The photo ‘Phantoms of the Morning’ was awarded first prize in the Siena International Photo Awards. It shows a group of great egrets and black-headed gulls gathered at a pond. At one moment before sunrise, an eagle appeared in the distance and scared all the gulls, while egrets remained motionless. I captured this unique scene in the frame using a long shutter speed. It is particularly special and rewarding for me, as I’ve had this picture in my mind for so long, and it required multiple factors to achieve the perfect shot finally.

MPB: Do you think wildlife photography impacts the conservation of nature?

MP: Absolutely. I truly believe that through photography, you can encourage others to support efforts towards the conservation of nature. One picture means more than a thousand words, and if it touches on important aspects of nature conservation, it can drive the real impact.

MPB: Which animal would you most like to photograph?

MP: I would love to photograph a snowy owl in its natural winter habitat. I hope for the opportunity to come.

MPB: What are your best tips for shooting wildlife in its natural habitat?

MP: Develop your knowledge about animals. The better you are prepared, the greater your chances for a remarkable photo. Get low. Shooting animals from their eye level gives you a unique angle, allowing you to focus your whole attention on the subject while blurring the background and foreground. Don’t be afraid to get dirty and wet—often the best results come in the worst conditions. Lastly, never give up. Your patience will eventually be rewarded with an outstanding shot.

MPB: Do you have any tips for budding wildlife photographers?

MP: Start by getting to know the species you are willing to photograph and familiarising yourself with its habits and behaviours. That will help you identify the perfect spot to hide. Often, you will get better results by patiently waiting for the animal to appear in your frame rather than chasing it and rushing to get really close.

Looking for more wildlife content?

This article is part of the MPB Guide to Wildlife Photography and Videography, our comprehensive look at how to create wildlife imagery, with camera recommendations, advice and interviews with experts.