10 Ways to Take Better Nature Photos

Do you want to decorate with photos but don’t have anything nice to put up? Try taking your own creative shots. You may not have a studio, but there’s sure to be something of interest around your house. It could be your vegetable garden, the large oak in your backyard, or even your pets running around. Nature photography is a great way to learn the art and produce your own display-quality work at the same time. As the pros like to say, photography has its challenges, but it’s hard to go wrong if you’re shooting nature.

But before reaching for that camera, it’s important to know the basics. Photography can be an expensive hobby, so you want to make sure you get it right. Here are ten tips to keep in mind.

1. Turn off the flash. The flash comes in handy when you’re shooting at night or in low light, but that seldom happens in the daytime. If you’re just beginning, try shooting with whatever available light there is. Position your subject so that it’s lit by natural sunlight. The play of light and shadow makes it more dramatic than when the object is lit by a flash. Try going out between 2pm and 5pm—that’s when sunlight is at the most flattering angles.

2. Shoot with a theme. A group of related photos has a stronger impact than a single large one. Think of a theme before going out to shoot. Make it about animals, flowers, children, whatever suits your fancy. A unifying theme makes it easier for people to relate to and for you to find a good arrangement. Of course, nothing’s keeping you from shooting out of your theme, but keep your outcome in mind to help you stay on track.

3. Capture detail. When you shoot things as you see them, there won’t be much character in your photos. You’re simply showing something everyone’s seen before. Make your photos more unique by capturing details they wouldn’t have noticed otherwise. Take a close-up of the tree bark or the tiny node of a plant. Most cameras now have a macro mode, so you can easily take something small and turn it into a larger-than-life picture.

4. Find new angles. One rule in creative photography is to make your subject look different from real life. It can be a change in lighting or color, or a careful arrangement that couldn’t have happened without your intervention. The easiest way, however, is to shoot at unusual angles. Professional photographers often have to take uncomfortable positions just to find the right angle to shoot with. Don’t be afraid to bend over or lie down on the ground just to get that shot.

5. Don’t center your subject. Unless you’re taking someone’s graduation photo, it’s never good to place your subject in the center. Yes, it makes for a balanced composition, but it doesn’t make the photo interesting. Photographers follow the rule of thirds: divide your screen into three columns, and place your subject in the first or last. Proper angling and composition will help achieve balance despite the position.

6. Play around with color. Plants and trees are usually the first things that come to mind when someone says nature photography. But there are lots of other colors in nature, from dull blacks and whites to vibrant reds and purples. Try capturing the sunset, puddle rainbows, the brown of dried leaves—anything to set your photos apart from the usual greens and yellows. Can’t find anything in your backyard? Try shooting in black and white—it adds instant drama to your photos and looks great in a colorful home.

7. Have a steady hand. So you’ve got the rules down pat, the lighting is perfect, and your subject is right in front of you. But when it’s time to take the photo, your hand shakes uncontrollably, and all you get is a blur of color. Steadiness is the first rule in photography—in fact, it’s so basic that it’s almost a given. If you don’t have a steady hand, try shooting with a tripod, or find something stable to rest your camera on.

8. Less is more. Simplicity is always a good thing when it comes to photography. You can take an overdressed photo, but there’s no such thing as one that’s too simple. Instead of cramming everything you see into the frame, focus on one interesting subject and blur everything around it. This adds impact and character to your photo, and keeps it from looking messy and cluttered.

9. Manipulate. Photo manipulation is often associated with unethical practice, but it’s not like you’re going to sell your photos. Think of it as just another tool for your art, much like an artist erases errors with a pencil. It’s easy enough to remove red-eye, fix unwanted shadows, or adjust your lighting with a computer program to make your photo more interesting. Play around with the settings until you find something you’re comfortable with.

10. Be patient and prepared. If you’re serious about getting the perfect photo, bring your camera with you everywhere. Moments don’t announce themselves. You never know when you’ll get that split second where lighting, color, and the right subject come together, and you want to be ready when they do. At the same time, be patient—even photographers have to wait hours or even days to get the perfect opportunity.