Top tips for nature photography

Last Updated on 09/08/2023

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Check out these technical and creative top tips for nature photography to start capturing fantastic nature photos and making a stunning portfolio.

Anybody can take photos, but not everyone can take breathtaking images of nature. This is because nature photography, unlike most types of photography, requires abundant patience and creativity to get the perfect shot. A great example is a picture taken by photographer Ruben Perez Novo, Walking Among Fennels, which won last year’s nature photography contest. The image showcased a plump Machaon caterpillar climbing a thin fennel plant branch. Because the caterpillar is moving, capturing the action on time without disturbing the subject is a crucial skill in nature photography.

Top Tips for Nature Photography

If you’re an aspiring nature photographer, here are top photography tips to help you get started:

Use the Right Gear

• LENS

Knowing the differences between camera lenses is important. In most nature photos, it’s best to use a lens with a longer focal length. This could be a zoom lens with a wide aperture. The reason is that some nature photos will require you to zoom in from a distance to avoid disturbing the subjects without compromising photo quality. To achieve this, use a lens with a wide aperture such as f/1.4, f/1.8, or f/2.8.

• CAMERA TYPES

A DSLR camera allows you to take more control of your camera settings compared to mirrorless cameras. Because of this, you can take photos of wildlife from afar or in low-light situations. But since you cannot manipulate subjects in nature photography, you might not get the shot that you want right away. So, trail cameras are also necessary to capture wildlife movements even when you’re not around. Most trail cameras have huge storage capacities to record hours of video and hundreds of pictures, and they are more durable than other cameras to withstand various weather conditions.

• TRIPODS

Tripods are useful for nature photography to ensure that your photos will not turn out blurry. It’s best to use them during long periods of downtime since you’ll have to wait for animals to appear in the frame. Lastly, tripods guarantee that you’re perfectly capturing the same shot again when you need to take multiple pictures of the same scene.

Experiment With Different Perspectives

• TILT YOUR CAMERA

A tilted photo refers to a shot from a camera rotated relative to the horizon or vertical lines in the shot. For example, titling your angle of the beach with sand, sea, and sky in the frame further emphasize the contrast between the yellow sand, aquamarine sea, and blue sky. Tilting the camera also adds a kind of motion to the photo, making it look like it’s falling.

• CLIMB UP HIGH

Most nature photos will require you to cover most of what the landscape has to offer within a single frame. Climbing up high or simply holding up your camera can help you capture more subjects into the frame, even without a different kind of lens. Raising your camera level can also allow you to capture landscapes with perspectives beyond or higher than a human’s eye level.

• USE REFLECTIONS

These are perfect when taking nature photos in nearby ponds, rivers, and even puddles. Instead of capturing the subject itself, taking a photo of its reflection gives your photos a boost in creativity. The ripples and flow of the water can become filters that add a natural touch to your photos that may be hard to replicate using photo editing software.

Always Respect Nature

Respecting the environment is a part of your responsibility as a nature photographer. You must always be cautious of your surroundings and follow the park guidelines of the places you visit. While in the forest or sanctuary, ensure that you’re following the designated pathways to avoid stepping on plants and disturbing animals around the area. Professionalism in nature photography requires you to respect the boundaries of plants and animals, even if it means you’ll miss capturing your desired shot.

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