photo credit: spettacolopuro

It does not matter if you want to start with nature landscape photography as a hobby or as profession, there are beginners tips for everyone. If you want to learn the skills and the different techniques you need for nature landscape photography you can read about it online, buy a book about the subject, follow a class in a community center or go to a photographers course organized by a nature or wildlife organization. In this article we look at a few things to consider before you make a choice about the best option for you.
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Types of nature photography

There are a few different types of photography that you can consider to learn:

Fine art Nature Photography

Wildlife nature photography

Nature landscape photography

Documentary nature photography

Close up nature Photography

Equipment needed for nature landscape photography

It does matter what type of nature photography you are going to learn first to know what type of equipment you need but when you are just beginning as a hobby all you really need to get started is a proper camera.

If you want to photograph wildlife you need a lens that will zoom in at least three times to start with so that the wildlife will not be scared off if you approach it.

For close up photography you need a special lens or feature on your camera that can do that. But there are other features of cameras that are used in nature photography that are useful but you only need to buy them if you are sure you want to do more and better nature landscape photography.

Advanced Equipment for Nature Landscape Photography

As a beginner a zoom of three times is adequate but a better option is to have a telephoto lens so that you can make shots from far away and it still looks like you where standing right in front of the object you photographed. Another useful piece of equipment for nature landscape photography is a tripod because this type of photography often requires long periods of waiting before you have the right light, or the animal or insect comes to the right spot can take a wile. And then its difficult to keep still and hold the camera.

Courses

There are a lot of courses in nature landscape photography you can take that will teach you the basics and take you on a real life practicum. They are a great opportunity for the beginning nature photographer. They will also teach you utilizing natural lighting to provide specific looks and shots in nature landscape photography.

If you are a bit more experienced you can also follow classes with a nature and wildlife organization. Especially people who are interested in certain birds and animals in nature, can learn all lot on these courses. For example there are many different techniques you can use for taking pictures of birds in their natural habitat and also for shooting pictures of landscapes at certain times of the day to get special effects. As you can see there is a lot you can learn about nature landscape photography.

The author of this article, Richard P. Carter is a professional photographer, at his website Photography Pro Tips .com he likes to write about digital nature photography and fine art nature photography and much more.

photo credit: lexdenn

Autumn. Crisp air, crunchy leaves. It’s the most colorful season in many parts of the world. As the trees turn colors, millions stop to appreciate the beauty. To capture the best fall images possible, you need to observe a few simple steps. Read on to find out how you can create some truly great fall images.

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photo credit: SOUVENIRS DVD“

We cannot command nature except by obeying her.” Francis Bacon

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.

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 are certain to succeed — oftentimes in ways you never expected.

Tip number one: 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’re 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 contrasted nicely with the water. Itended up being one of my most popular shots.

Tip number two: 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.

Tip number three: Know you’re 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 you’re camera settings, from the f-stop and shutter speed to the ASA and ISO settings.

Experiment at home and in the field. After buying a new camera, I like to take number 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 is well worth the effort.

Tip number four: Be patient. Natural events happen when they happen. You are 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.

Tip number five: 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.

I had a similar experience. It was night, and I was just walking around the area I live 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 construction 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.

Matt Smolsky develops marketing programs and has written articles for a variety of clients, including Hoorray, a new website for easy photo sharing and easy photo printing.