10 tips on nature photography

Milt Heiberg wrote an interesting article about how to take great picture in the nature environment. Following it is an extract of the article published in the website Takegreatpictures.com : Before there was civilization, there was nature. Yes, I know! It is still around today—but it kind of got lost between the blocks of pavement across the landscapes that we call cities. Most of the 300 million people that live in America’s cities have never really experienced the true natural world. Aside from a walk in the park they only get a glimpse of it through the images that we photographers make and show them in our slide shows, exhibits and publications.

So it is up to us to make those images so compelling that the viewer wants to get out of his or her easy chair and go buy a backpack and sleeping bag. Throughout my career in photography I’ve been conscious of trying to make each frame I shoot better than the previous one.

It didn’t always work out that way. I’ve had some pretty bad days like everybody else, but in the long run I’ve seen my work improve enough to convince me that practice makes perfect. Yes! You will attain perfection and become the world’s best photographer when you are 140 years old.

However, between now and your 140th birthday, here are a few tips that I hope will help to improve your nature photography skills.

1.  Love your subject more than your camera. Learn all you can about your subject whether it’s a person, place, or plant. A good photograph will show the passion.

2.  But love your camera anyway—know the tools of your trade.

3.  Buy the best lenses you can afford. Good glass makes a difference. Upgrade your other equipment later.

4.  Practice, practice, practice—persistence eventually wins over talent (tortoise and hare theory).

5.  Study the masters to see what they did right. Mine were Ansel Adams and Elliot Porter. I recommend them.

6. F/22 and be there. OK-OK, F/8 if you’re still using film—but BE THERE !

7.  Know the rules of composition—and when to break them.

8.  Think in Black and White—then add color as your embroidery, i.e., think in terms of forms of composition. Use color, but don’t be dazzled by it.

9.  Early to bed and early to rise, put the dawning sun before you eyes. It is the best time and light.

10.  Don’t let bad weather keep you home (easy for me to say—I live in Florida). Some of my best mood shots were taken with approaching or clearing storms."

If you want to read the full article, just follow the link Milt Heiberg - Ten Tips on Nature Photography or if you want to see some panoramic/scenic pictures, you can go to my other website Concept RT.

September 21, 2008