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Nature Photography That Sells: Five Essential Tips.

By Andrew Goodall

Republish: EasyPublish™
Published: 10Nov2008
Word count: 794
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Nature photography is a much-loved pursuit that has become even more popular in the age of digital photography. With so much good photography out there, it is a real challenge to make your photos stand out from the crowd.

If you want to make some money from nature photography, or even make it your living, your photography must offer something special. It is not enough for your photos to be 'good.' There is more than enough 'good' photography out there already. Your photos need to be exceptional, or they won't be noticed at all.

Here are five tips to help you rise to the challenge.

Nature Photography Tip #1. Concentrate On Nature, Not Just Technology. In the digital age there is an increasing emphasis on the latest technology; so much so that some people tend to rely on the camera (and the computer) to do the work for them. While it is understandable that people are drawn to photography by their love of technology, good nature photography really requires a more old-fashioned approach.

Understanding the light is paramount. You really need to learn how to capture your photo in the best possible light, which means picking the ideal weather conditions, and the right time of day for each subject. Spending time observing the light and how it works in a photo will make you a much better photographer than someone who thinks technology is the key to good photography.

Nature Photography Tip #2. Look For Unique Moments. Never forget that every idea you have has already been had by someone else, and every subject you photograph has been photographed by a thousand people before you. The truth is, it is easy to take a decent photo; that's why there are so many of them on the market. The trick is to take something exceptional.

This is all about timing. With landscapes, you need to look for an unusual angle or a spectacular sky. Your photo must be well lit (see tip #1) but it must also capture a feature or a moment that will make viewers think "Wow, I have never seen it photographed like that before!"

Nature Photography Tip #3. Get To Know Your Local Environment. When you are travelling, capturing a unique moment takes a bit of luck. In terms of unusual weather, you really have to take your chances along with the rest of the tourists. Closer to home, however, you have an unfair advantage over everyone else. You may be in a unique position to be on-site at special moments other photographers can only dream of.

Get to know your local landmarks. Find the best lookouts and the quickest shortcuts to get there. Identify which time of day is best for each location. Then listen to weather reports and keep an eye on the sky. When you see the potential for something special start to build, grab your camera, get into position, and wait for the perfect moment. In time, you could build a collection of photos of your local landscapes that is second to none.

Nature Photography Tip #4. Be Patient And Persevere. As I said earlier, it is easy to take a good photo; it is not so easy to take something truly special. A lot of things have to fall into place to get a perfect shot, so don't be disappointed when your first attempts yield little result. It may be necessary to visit the same place time after time, before that little grain of luck occurs that gives you the opportunity you are looking for. Professional nature photographers are prepared to put in this extra effort for a shot. Once you get that once-in-a-lifetime image it will all seem worth it.

When the moment comes, take a lot of photos. You really need to make the most of a great opportunity, and every scene can produce a myriad of possible images. Remember that in the digital world, it costs nothing to keep snapping, so you can afford to really do justice to the moment.

Nature Photography Tip #5. Perfect Your Technique. You can wait days or weeks for a great photo opportunity, but when the moment arrives it can come and go in a matter of minutes. You don't want to waste time trying to work out your apertures and shutter speeds. Practice your skills at every opportunity, and really get to know your camera.

You don't need to know every tiny feature of the menu. The essentials of good photography are the same as always; aperture, shutter speed, ISO, focus etc. The more photos you take, the more instinctive it will become. Then you can be free to concentrate on creativity, not camera settings, when your special moment arrives.

Andrew Goodall is a professional nature photographer of over 20 years experience, and has released two ebooks on the art and skills of nature photography. Find out more at http://www.naturesimage.com.au Andrew's simple philosophy is that good photography is not just about technology, but about skill and sensitivity to nature.

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