blake
Life Member
From the Iowa DNR website:
Be a better nature photographer with these tips
Whether you’re interested in capturing the stunning sunset over the water or catching wildlife in action, Iowa offers an endless supply of photo ops.
Start simple.
If you’re just starting out as a wildlife photographer, start with subjects that tend to stay still, like plants and insects. Learn how to use your camera settings on these subjects before moving up to birds and fast-moving mammals. Experiment with different shutter speeds and settings.
Know where to go.
If you know you want to photograph a specific animal, learn about its habitat and behaviors. This allows you to find the critter and position yourself for a good photo without scaring it away.
Lighting is key.
Pay close attention to lighting, as good light is often the difference between a really good photo and a mediocre one. Watch for the “blue hour” and “golden hour” around sunrise and sunset for the best lighting conditions; mid-day on a sunny day can often have harsh lighting. Be aware of the sun’s position. Light from behind the subject could cause the subject to be too dark, but it also might create an interesting silhouette effect.
Stay still.
Even the tiniest amount of camera shake can keep a photo from being really sharp and crisp. Use a tripod or brace yourself against something solid, like a tree, to steady the camera.
Consider composition.
Frame the photo in your viewfinder, don’t rely on the LCD screen. Learn about the photographer’s rule of thirds – you’ll want to avoid always centering your subject. It’s more pleasing to the eye to have the subject off to the left or right of the frame. Make sure you’re not cutting off part of your subject in the shot, either. Look for anything in the background that might distract from your subject. Or put your subject out of focus and show off the beautiful landscape in the background for an artsier approach.
Capture a moment.
If you’re photographing people in the outdoors, think like a photojournalist and take candid action shots of your subject enjoying nature. Save the mugging for selfies!
For more tips on photographing Iowa’s beautiful outdoors, check out our Iowa Nature Photography board on Pinterest.
Be a better nature photographer with these tips
Whether you’re interested in capturing the stunning sunset over the water or catching wildlife in action, Iowa offers an endless supply of photo ops.
Start simple.
If you’re just starting out as a wildlife photographer, start with subjects that tend to stay still, like plants and insects. Learn how to use your camera settings on these subjects before moving up to birds and fast-moving mammals. Experiment with different shutter speeds and settings.
Know where to go.
If you know you want to photograph a specific animal, learn about its habitat and behaviors. This allows you to find the critter and position yourself for a good photo without scaring it away.
Lighting is key.
Pay close attention to lighting, as good light is often the difference between a really good photo and a mediocre one. Watch for the “blue hour” and “golden hour” around sunrise and sunset for the best lighting conditions; mid-day on a sunny day can often have harsh lighting. Be aware of the sun’s position. Light from behind the subject could cause the subject to be too dark, but it also might create an interesting silhouette effect.
Stay still.
Even the tiniest amount of camera shake can keep a photo from being really sharp and crisp. Use a tripod or brace yourself against something solid, like a tree, to steady the camera.
Consider composition.
Frame the photo in your viewfinder, don’t rely on the LCD screen. Learn about the photographer’s rule of thirds – you’ll want to avoid always centering your subject. It’s more pleasing to the eye to have the subject off to the left or right of the frame. Make sure you’re not cutting off part of your subject in the shot, either. Look for anything in the background that might distract from your subject. Or put your subject out of focus and show off the beautiful landscape in the background for an artsier approach.
Capture a moment.
If you’re photographing people in the outdoors, think like a photojournalist and take candid action shots of your subject enjoying nature. Save the mugging for selfies!
For more tips on photographing Iowa’s beautiful outdoors, check out our Iowa Nature Photography board on Pinterest.