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The ability to capture nature in all its glory is a true art form. It’s not hard to take nice pictures when you go on a hike or walk through the park. But to really capture nature, it takes practice and a photographer’s eye.
Some people have a natural eye for capturing the perfect shot. In contrast, others need to learn different techniques and get ideas. Below we’ve compiled a list of 10 ideas to inspire you and a bit of information on the gear you’ll want to get started if you’re serious about nature photography.
Not much in nature can compete with the majesty of looming mountains and the valleys between them. There’s just something about capturing this vast expanse. If you have the budget, using a telephoto lens will allow you to capture a much longer distance and retain all the details. Take this picture for example, and notice how the photo captures the rolling peaks as far as the eye can see.
Leaves are a classic piece of nature pictures. There is so much variety. Not only are there hundreds of species of trees with unique-looking leaves, but they also change throughout the year.
Looking for that perfect fall shot? The yellows, reds, and browns of the autumn leaves will capture that perfectly. Or, if you prefer the lush green of spring and summer pictures, catch the leaves after a fresh rainfall. This will offer some unique macro photography options.
The fact is, humans have come along and added our footprint throughout nature. Depending on where you live, it can actually be a challenge to find somewhere that is untouched by us—at the very least, you might have a long drive.
Instead of focusing on keeping human invention out of it, try incorporating. Whether it’s a railroad track like this picture or you’re in a busy metropolis taking pictures of a flower that has forced its way through a crack in the sidewalk.
Sure, you can take pictures of leaves on the ground and capture a forest that spans for miles from a hill. But what about finding the thickest part of the trees you can and taking a shot up at the canopy?
Not only can you play with some really neat angles, but the dappled lighting through the treetops will give a unique look. Using a wide-angle lens for a shot like this will be a great way to capture everything. However, as you gain experience, you can experiment with different angles and lenses.
Pictures of flowers are rarely anything but beautiful. But with the rise of macro photography and high-quality macro lenses, some of the pictures that people can take are downright surreal.
Capturing all the tiny details of a flower adds another dimension to the finished result. Another type of prime candidate for macro pictures is bugs or insects. Being able to enlarge these small creatures is fantastic.
If you want to take nature photography, you only need a device to take pictures. Whether that’s a cell phone or a camera, it doesn’t matter. However, if you want to take your game to the next level, some things will make it easier and allow you to capture higher-quality shots.
Here are a few things to step up your photography:
You don’t have to be a pro to take great pictures—some of the most incredible pictures floating around online were taken by cell phones. If you want to start, just start. If it turns out you’re passionate about the art or have a knack for it, you can always accumulate better gear over time.
Featured Image Credit: Jirasak JP, Shutterstock
Shea Cummings is a passionate content writer who believes that the power of words is immeasurable. He leverages years of experience in various trades such as carpentry, photography, and electrical to bring his articles to life. His goal is to provide his readers with information that delights and informs. When he's not writing you can find him spending time in the outdoors or playing some Minecraft on the Xbox with his wife and two sons.
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