Photograph Tips - Nature

8/14/2019 Photograph Tips - Nature

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A Sunday afternoon stroll in the woods. A day at the zoo. Spring awakening. A spectacular safari.The natural world is an inexhaustible source of inspiration. In this course, we introduce you to thebasics of nature photography. Practical tips and creative suggestions for having even more fun with your camera while out and about. From the African savannah to your own back garden.

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Animals & Nature | 1

Animals are dif cult to direct. Due to this, you are quickly tempted toshoot a photograph of a pet or animal in the situation it just happensto be in. This can work well, but it often produces fairly static portraits.Recognise this? Your pet does something funny and just as you have your camera ready, it appears that the cat or dog already has other plans.

So make sure that you maintain as much contact with the animal aspossible. For example through calling your dog, due to which he’ll cometo you. Or throw a toy to your cat. Food always works too. Have someonethrow a dog biscuit into the air so that your dog looks up or even jumps.In brief, draw the attention of your animal so that their behaviour is morephotogenic. You’ll see that this produces much better photographs!

DrAw their AtteNtioN

The most beautiful, funniest or most moving moments are often verybrief. Certainly where it concerns animals and their behaviour. In anycase, they don’t submit to being forced. Which means that you haveto be patient. Wait until something special happens. This doesn’t just apply to pets, but also to a visit to the zoo. Relax and take the time toobserve the animal you want to photograph. Something is bound tohappen that is worth (an even better) a photograph!

c n n nWhen that unique moment comes along, it would be a shame tonot be able to record it. Most often it’s in the details that only last for a few seconds. Then you don’t have the opportunity to studythe results from a photograph you’ve shot and take a new one.This isn‘t necessary as there is a handy mode on your camera for this: continuous shooting. With this, the camera can shoot multiplephotographs of the same situation in rapid succession. Comparethe results from the whole series, and you’ll see that there is alwaysa photograph amongst them that has that extra special something.



shoot AN iNtriguiNg ANimAl portrAit

It’s a completely normal reaction to position the subject of your photographslap-bang in the middle. Often, you don’t give it a second thought and youpoint your camera so that the action takes place in the centre of the picture.The AF target mark in your view nder or on your display almost automaticallyforces you to do that. There is nothing wrong with that really, but the questionis whether the photograph actually expresses that much action. There is asimple way to make your photograph more dynamic:‘the 1/3rd rule’. Position the subject to the left or right of the centre,at a third of the picture. Through this, your composition will suggest movement and consequently be more ‘exciting’.

s ay a !To keep the photograph sharp, you point it at the subject and press the shutter button halfway to lock the focus. While you hold the button in this position, youadjust the camera’s position. Once you have the desired composition, you shoot the photograph by pressing the shutter button completely. Your subject is nolonger in the centre, but remains sharply in focus.

experimeNt with the compositioN

‘l ’Commonly, this is because it is usually a part of the whole that provided the beauty. So not the entire bush, but the blossom. And not all the blossom, but that one that was absolutely perfect,light pink in colour. So try to discover what exactly it is that makesthe natural beauty so attractive. Look out for the small details.Concentrate on those details and try to shoot them as attractivelyas possible. Don’t forget the possibilities and limitations of your camera here. When zooming in, a lens requires a minimumdistance with regard to the subject to be able to stay in focus.

focus oN DetAils

You usually shoot a nature photograph because a situation makesan impression on you. A rugged tree for example, or a bush full of

beautiful spring blossom. Even so, it’s common for the photographnot to re ect the special feeling of beauty that affected you so muchat that moment.

Animals & Nature | 2

You can shoot beautiful animal portraits too. What about a gorilla’s gruff gaze, a drowsy lion’s head or, closer to home, try taking a prominent photograph of your pet. There are tricks you can use to give your pictureadded value. You can do a lot yourself, but your camera can help too.

c an y n and a dBecause animals pay little attention to your instructions, you’llhave to adopt a different position yourself, preferably at eye level.Try experimenting with the effect that occurs when you shoot aphotograph while crouching or lying. On your stomach, or even on your back. Then switch your camera to portrait mode. This is usuallyunder ‘S’, ‘Scene’ or ‘Scenery’. This mode ensures a sharp foregroundagainst a blurred background. This strongly emphasises your subject and it receives full attention.





You can buy different lenses for more professional cameras. Each with a speci c objectiveand result. In this tip we will discuss the effect of wide angle, telephoto and macro lenses.

w d -an nIn relative terms, a wide-angle lens causes an enlargement of everything that is close tothe lens. You get an enlarged foreground against a ‘normal’ background. This can producedynamic, zany or funny effects. In the case of compact cameras, the lens is actually in thewide-angle position when you switch on the camera.

t n A telephoto lens draws distant objects in closer. It is very handy for shooting close-ups onsafari, for example of an elephant on the horizon. Or for exceptional natural phenomena that are very far away. Generally, a compact camera won’t really be able to manage such shotsand you’ll require a telephoto lens of at least 200mm. An extra advantage of such a lens isthat it ‘isolates’ the subject from the background. As a result, the emphasis remains on your subject and the décor behind becomes slightly hazy.

ma nEvery lens has a minimum and maximum distance between which the photographs remainsharply in focus. Some compact cameras have macro settings, but in general you’ll require aseparate macro lens for detailed shots very close up. You can only use this with a single-lensre ex camera. There are also telephoto lenses with which you can make splendid macrophotographs using an extension tube.

use DiffereNt leNsesfor DiffereNt effects

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Especially in the case of close-ups of animals or plants you can achieveintriguing effects through setting the aperture yourself. Nothing is moreattractive than a pinpoint sharp subject against a soft, misty background.Set your camera to ‘A’ or ‘Av’ mode and experiment to your heart’scontent. Again, a simple rule applies: the larger the aperture(for example F2.8), the hazier the background.

experimeNt with Depth of fielD

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Shooting beautiful photographs is a skill. A precariousbalance between technical possibilities and creativity.Perhaps this is especially true for nature photography.So if a photograph is sometimes disappointing, don’t give up. Practice makes perfect.

And remember most of all that it’s about having fun.The pleasure you experience from the unexpected

possibilities of your camera. And from a new way of looking at the world around you. Heading off somewhere?Don’t forget to take several memory cards, an extrarechargeable battery, ordinary batteries, a charger,lenses and a tripod with you.Visit . an n- . / for a completeoverview of handy accessories.Good luck!

Fun comes frst!

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Photograph Tips - Nature