| Taking photos of nature can be the most fulfilling | | | | flower opens or when there is dew on the roses |
| form of photography if learnt carefully and | | | | will enhance the possibilities of a stunning image. A |
| precisely. We all desire a connection with the | | | | good nature photographer is a good naturalist or |
| great outdoors and nature photography is often | | | | ornithologist. There is more to being a nature |
| this link. So here are some keys to great nature | | | | photographer than just shooting images. Try |
| photography. | | | | visiting your location or subjects several times |
| The fundamental principle for any nature or wildlife | | | | before starting your photography so that you get |
| photography is a love for nature and a desire to | | | | to understand their environment. Read books, join |
| see it preserved for future generations. A | | | | societies and search the internet until you feel you |
| photographer should never interfere in any way | | | | know enough about your chosen field to start |
| with nature or leave traces of their presence | | | | shooting images. |
| after a shoot. This preservation attitude will keep | | | | 4. Find a suitable location |
| an open invitation for future generations of | | | | All wildlife or nature photographers aspire to shoot |
| photographers. | | | | the big five, humpback whales or the elusive |
| So where do we begin as nature photographers? | | | | snow leopard. These are not the place to start |
| 1. Equip yourself | | | | unless you live on a game reserve or at the |
| This is really key to any form of nature | | | | coast. Find a place close to home like your back |
| photography from landscape on the one side right | | | | garden, a local botanical garden or even a zoo. |
| across to close-up and macro on the other. There | | | | Somewhere you can be comfortable and practise |
| is nothing more frustrating than trying to shoot a | | | | without major effort. Try things on a small scale |
| subject that is just out of reach or the inability to | | | | and work upwards as you gain more experience |
| get close enough. There are minimum equipment | | | | and are up to the challenge. A good location with |
| requirements and you should get good advice | | | | good subjects will spur you on to greater heights. |
| from other photographers or reputable equipment | | | | 5. Specialised equipment |
| suppliers. A zoom lens with a macro feature could | | | | Once you have been through all the previous |
| suffice for close-up photography and coupled with | | | | steps and gained the knowledge, skills and |
| a two times converter for bird photography. It | | | | experience it's time to decide if this is for you and |
| doesn't have to be expensive to begin with. | | | | worth the investment in better, more specialised |
| 2. Be patient and practise | | | | equipment. Only once you know what you are |
| Patience is a virtue and no more so than with | | | | doing and if this is for you, should you consider |
| nature photography. Animals and birds (even in | | | | investing in more expensive kit. A good tripod, |
| zoos) do not act on cue so it becomes necessary | | | | specialised macro lens or a long focal length zoom |
| to wait for hours and sometimes, as with | | | | or prime lens are essential to the advanced |
| professionals, even days. Waiting for the right | | | | nature photographer. Unless you know in which |
| weather conditions, right animal or right lighting | | | | direction or specialisation your photographic |
| conditions takes a lot of patience and effort. If | | | | journey is taking you, don't specialise and waste |
| you aren't prepared to do this then maybe it's not | | | | money on kit you cannot afford. |
| for you. Because of all these factors, practise | | | | Nature photography can be one of the most |
| becomes an essential part of a nature | | | | fulfilling areas of photography and can reap great |
| photographers life. If you don't continue to | | | | rewards. It takes time effort and a lot of practise |
| practise you won't get the shot. It's 99% effort | | | | so be prepared to dedicate your self to many |
| and 1% luck. | | | | hours of waiting and preparation. If you have |
| 3. Research your subject | | | | what it takes the results will speak for |
| A good knowledge of your subject is essential. | | | | themselves. |
| Knowing when it feeds or what time of the day a | | | | |