Today I will be sharing a few tips and helpful links on nature photography and photography in general.

I am a self-taught photography student (and still pretty wet behind the ears) so I suggest you take my photography advice with a grain of salt.

I acquired my dSLR camera a year ago this May. When I first began, the thing that helped me the most was to balance time spent on learning how to use my camera and actually using it. I felt frustrated that what I could imagine in my mind couldn’t be reproduced through my images. So if you have a dSLR or want one, make sure to make time to learn about your camera but not let your lack of knowledge keep you from actually practicing.

That goes for only having a pocket camera as well. Many pocket cameras (non-dSLR) have manual settings. You can learn to use that now. It is very similar to how dSLRs work and it will improve your images greatly.
The IDEA room has been showcasing some great lessons from a professional photographer here and here. She just posted some more on photoshop. She really is a WONDERFUL resource.

Digital Photography School {the site who has the weekend photography challenge that I enter every week} is also a great resource for beginners and professionals a like. Reading the photography terms over and over again and following the trail of links they leave that better explain the terms, helped me as a beginner immensely and still helps me improve. I tend to stick to their featured articles…if that helps you.

Two main things that run through my head when I take a picture are:

1. Lighting – natural light is superior to ANY lighting. Some people will disagree but unless you have expensive off camera flash and lighting equipment, natural light always produces a better image.

If you are shooting in auto still or have a pocket camera just remember to shoot with a lot of indirect light (near a bright window) or under shade if the sun is high in the sky. I have taken some really nice pictures with my pocket camera – in AUTO mind you – right next to a brightly lit window. {this is obviously not a nature scene but was taken with my pocket camera next to a bright window}

If you have a dSLR you can get away without using flash in lower light levels but if you have a less powerful pocket camera just use flash when it is not bright enough. Otherwise, you will get really grainy/fuzzy pictures. Flash is not as flattering but it is better than a bad picture.

2. Perspective. I have to say that I have never shot a film SLR camera. If I did I would go through a lot of film. When I shoot a picture I try as many angles I think necessary. With a craft I made that might mean two or three angles. With people I might try like five or six.

Crouch down to the subject’s level. Come from above at a slant and then directly. Crouch lower than your subject {it is said that this can be flattering for portraits}. Try angling from the side.

Try just capturing parts of the subject. Zoom in closer. Zoom out. Then in the editing phase you can pick which angle you liked best. That is the beauty of digital!

We anticipated rain today, so we went on a nature photography walk (most of my walks end up being photography walks) around our duck pond earlier this week to celebrate Earth Day.

To celebrate the earth this week I challenge you to take your camera with you on a walk around your neighborhood or farther away. I often find that taking a picture of something helps me appreciate it even more.

Just remember lighting and perspective and…practice, practice, practice. Nothing beats practice.

Happy Earth Day!…and Happy snapping.