PHOTOGRAPHY

Whether you’re taking a picture of a geranium in your backyard garden or
 a grizzly bear in the Rocky Mountains, capturing a great photo outdoors
 means working with Mother Nature, and not trying to impose your 
photographic will upon her. 
 
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://api.ning.com/files/D4tgE4d4mNrpW1VE7wB1iA*7zFCePzKZONoWcrsu-ezmcaktdSFk8NHmM0EkeStDgTlzvV2hTAKureWAhCZv7e-fvgfdYze5/15708267088_4713b1da02_o2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="http://api.ning.com/files/D4tgE4d4mNrpW1VE7wB1iA*7zFCePzKZONoWcrsu-ezmcaktdSFk8NHmM0EkeStDgTlzvV2hTAKureWAhCZv7e-fvgfdYze5/15708267088_4713b1da02_o2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
 
So many factors come into play when taking a nature photograph—sun, 
clouds, wind, rain, sleet or snow—and if you’re photographing animals in
 their native habitat, you’ve got noise, odors, and movement to deal 
with.

It can get complex, but the enjoyment you’ll get by taking nature 
photography seriously will far outweigh the extra time and effort you 
put into it. Rather than just clicking a snapshot of your sugar maple in
 all its fall glory, you’ll have a photo you’d be proud to hang on your 
wall as a piece of art. Or, you might even become so good that you’ll 
find yourself selling some of your better photos.

After all, everyone loves a great nature photo. It’s easy for viewers
 to put themselves into the picture. Even if they’ve never been to the 
mountains, people enjoy looking at pictures of mountains because it 
transports them, at least for a brief moment, to a peaceful place.

So in order to help you get the most out of the time you spend 
outdoors with your camera, here are five fundamental tips for taking 
better nature photos. As a photographer, I’ve learned that if you 
approach your outdoor photography with the right mindset, you’re certain
 to succeed, oftentimes in ways you never expected. 
 
Understand the nature of nature. There’s an old 
saying, “You can’t fight Mother Nature.” Plan on working with the 
elements of the natural environment you photograph. A backyard squirrel 
might not blink at the sound of your shutter. But a rarely seen black 
squirrel sitting in the woods 50 miles from the nearest road might run 
upon hearing the same click.

Animals, trees, bushes, grass—everything associated with nature 
functions uniquely in different weather conditions. If you’re looking 
for a “money” shot, you need to understand the conditions you’re working
 in, and the subject matter you are photographing.

I recall walking along a large pond in a forest clearing many years 
ago. I was looking up for a shot, but saw nothing remarkable. Then I 
looked down and realized there was a fantastic shot right at my feet. It
 was of some green algae that had formed in the corner of the pond. It 
was a beautiful color, and it contrasted nicely with the water. It ended
 up being one of my most popular shots. 
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5313/5914521047_17cfd63e57_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5313/5914521047_17cfd63e57_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
 
Be prepared. Study the area you plan on 
photographing, even if it’s your own backyard. Watch how the light plays
 on your flowers at different times of the day, and under different 
cloud conditions. Pay attention to the patterns of birds. Animals are 
creatures of habit, and weather and light is somewhat predictable.

The same goes if you plan on venturing out into the wilderness. Get 
familiar with the local surroundings by talking to locals, watching 
weather reports on the Internet or TV, and by just taking some time to 
familiarize yourself with your surroundings.

Know your equipment. If you’re trying to get a close
 up shot of a deer in the wild, even if you’re using a telephoto lens, 
turn off your autofocus, autoflash, and motordrive. Get to know your 
camera settings, from the f-stop and shutter speed to the ISO settings.

Experiment at home and in the field. After buying a
 new camera, I like to take a number of shots just around the house, in a
 variety of conditions. Spend about an hour or so walking around your 
home and yard, instruction manual in hand, and try out all the features.
 Use different exposures and settings. Do this as a refresher from time 
to time as well. It’s worth the effort.

Be patient. Natural events happen when they happen. 
You’re not going to rush that beaver out of his watery den any faster. 
The perfect glint of sunlight playing off your prize rose bushes will 
not happen any sooner or later than you want it to. Keep your camera at 
the ready, and don’t force the shot. You may arrive five minutes too 
late for a great shot, but you may be five minutes early for the perfect
 shot. 
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8715/16720507370_2465886b1b_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8715/16720507370_2465886b1b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
 
 
Have an outcome in mind, but be ready for the unexpected.
 If you go out looking for cardinals in the forest, you’re likely to 
find some. So be ready by having a telephoto lens, a tripod if 
necessary, perhaps a birding book to help with recognition, and 
something comfortable to sit on. Take food for yourself—don’t feed the 
animals!—and water. Picture the shot you want in your mind’s eye. You’ll
 often get something close.

But don’t close your mind to other possibilities. The sun may be 
absolutely perfect at that time of day, and you could get a stunning 
picture of rays of sunlight piercing the forest canopy. Ansel Adams’ 
famous “Moonrise over Hernandez” was taken while he was driving down a 
highway. He stopped the car, jumped out, grabbed his camera, took one 
shot … and nailed it because he was ready for the unexpected. 
 
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://api.ning.com/files/JWVmD*3ooUfz9nYyc476IU0Px1Hs33t7auqGStYahLpHY1Pz8irdTch9xwgT5N*7G5diGPZ0ClWHdpiWytanJBorAqXHoz1M/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="584" src="http://api.ning.com/files/JWVmD*3ooUfz9nYyc476IU0Px1Hs33t7auqGStYahLpHY1Pz8irdTch9xwgT5N*7G5diGPZ0ClWHdpiWytanJBorAqXHoz1M/3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
 
I had a similar experience. It was night, and I was just walking 
around my area looking for a good picture. I had been walking awhile, 
ready to give up and go home, when a flash of light caught my eye. I 
came upon a building site of a multi-story building. The welders were 
getting in some overtime, working on the 8th or 9th floor. The sparks 
from their welding were arcing out from the side of the building and 
down to the ground. It made for a beautiful picture, and one I would 
have never gotten if I hadn’t been ready for the unexpected.

When it comes to photographing anything in the great outdoors, don’t 
let yourself be fooled into thinking you can control your subject 
matter. All you can control is your equipment and your knowledge about 
the subject matter. So with the right camera, an understanding of 
nature, and some patience, you’re likely to get the recognition you’re 
looking for as an outstanding outdoor photographer. 
 
 
 
source : <a href="http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/how-to-take-great-nature-photos/">http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/how-to-take-great-nature-photos/</a>

How To Take Great Nature Photos

Whether you’re taking a picture of a geranium in your backyard garden or a grizzly bear in the Rocky Mountains, capturing a great photo out...

How To Take Great Nature Photos

Contact Form