Light is the critical element in getting the perfect photograph. This is most true when it comes to outdoor photography, since you have almost no control of the light. Also, when you are shooting outdoors, there are many weather-related factors that can influence your photo.

photo credit: Windy Angels

What’s more, in photography, it’s important to be ready when the “right” shot comes along. When the special moment happens, you want to capture it and enjoy it for a lifetime. A big part of being ready is knowing enough to take advantage of whatever lighting conditions exist in a given moment.

These three tips will help you capture more moments, in a flash (and with or without a flash!). With a little trial and error (yes, expect to make some mistakes – maybe even a lot of mistakes), you’ll become a better photographer and get more great photos.

Tip #1: Know your ISO. It’s easy to set the ISO on most digital cameras – just check your owner’s manual or play around with the settings a bit. The ISO number indicates how sensitive the image sensor is to the amount of light present. ISO settings are 200, 400, 800 and 1600 on most cameras. The higher the ISO, the more sensitive the image sensor, and the more control you exert over the lighting conditions.

So if you’re sitting through double-header little league games and the light gets darker during as the day wears on, then you might want to check you ISO setting when your child gets his or her last at bat. After all, you wouldn’t want to miss a big play that will be a memorable moment for the rest of your lives.

Tip #2: Know the type of light you’re dealing with. There’s a distinct difference between the light you see at sunrise versus the light you see at sunset. Ditto for light in the mid-morning, noon, afternoon and early evening. Your photos will look a lot different depending on the time of day you take the photo, no matter what you’re subject matter. Also, the angle of the light and the shadows impact your photo a great deal.

Recently, I was photographing cottonwood trees in the late afternoon. The leaf of a cottonwood is shiny on one side and dull on the other. This made for a dramatic effect as the slowly setting sun caught the reflection of the shiny side as the wind moved through the branches of the tree.

If you’re taking photos on a bright day, be on the lookout for shots that make best use of sharp shadows. You’ll get a stunning effect. If it’s cloudy, then make sure you find the color (flowers, green grass, etc.).

Tip #3: Know your flash. Your flash has more uses than at night or indoors. Flash is important for many outdoor photos as well. This is called “fill flash,” because the flash fills in dark or shadowed areas of your subject matter. It is really useful when your subject’s back is to the sun.

You should consider using fill flash when you’re subject is in the shade, as a shady spot can often make a photo appear flat. A flash will bring out the highlights and give the photo more depth. Stay within your flash’s range, usually about four to 10 feet. Too far away, and the flash’s impact will be minimal. If you’re too close, you’ll wash out your subject with too much light.

Remember, light plays the biggest role in whether a photograph turns out or not. Keep these tips in mind, and you’re to get a lot of really great photos you’ll be proud to share.

CJ Carroll writes for a variety of clients, including Hoorray, a photo sharing website that offers a free online photo album to new members and is the easiest place to create a digital photo album, calendar, and more.

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.