Saturday, May 28, 2011

Natural Photography for Beginners

Natural Photography for Beginnersby: Filip TkaczykNatural Photography for Beginnersnature photography is a hobby that is fun and very rewarding. It seems reasonable that when you see something interesting or exciting in the natural world, you want to capture it or record in some way. The camera is the best way to do that!I will focus here on digital cameras, because today the majority of photographers (especially beginners) start with a digital camera - although many of the ideas and techniques mentioned above can be transferred to film cameras as well.So, let's look at some things you can do to practice nature photography for beginners ...What You Want photos?So, you want to try your hand at nature photography? Even before you buy a new camera or start using one, ask yourself whether you want to take? Here are some questions to ask yourself:# Do I want to capture close-ups of small plants, flowers, insects and other small things in nature?# Do you like photography a bigger, faster moving animals like birds, deer, bears, and so forth?# Do you want to take a photograph spectacular sunsets, mountains, lakes and the like?# Do you want to use your camera to record the events or things that you find in nature such as bones, tracks, weather patterns and things like that?# Do you want to create an abstract photo of the natural world, just focus on things such as patterns, texture, color and so forth?# Maybe you want to do all the above?If you start with the camera point-and-shoot simple digital, you may find (depending on quality) that many if not most of your needs are met in nature photography. Although, you also might want to look into getting a better camera. , If you want to buy a camera, you will be faced with ...Megapixel MadnessIf you are interested in buying a new digital camera, you may be familiar with all the talk about megapixels. With high quality cameras are now available to the general public in the megapixel range 12 and above, it may seem crazy to get something less. But this camera is mostly a special tool for advanced photographers with very specific needs. For nature photography for beginners, starting with the camera between 6 and 8 megapixels is actually more ideal and produces excellent pictures.In addition, the quality of images produced by cameras do not have to equal to the number of megapixels used to record images. All the physical components of the camera is as important as picture quality. Therefore, one camera with 6 megapixels can have the image quality is much lower compared to other cameras with the parts better and the exact same number of megapixels.Knowing how to use the camera and the technique is also very important in creating quality pictures.
PHOTO TAKING PART: Nature Photography for BeginnersKnow Your Machinedigital cameras today set to take successful photographs under different conditions and different subjects. This can be a big help to you when working on nature photography for beginners to learn to use the preset buttons and settings on your digital camera.Most digital cameras come with the option to shoot macro (usually displayed as a flower icon), landscap (usually displayed as a mountain), portraits (faces or people), evening (star or stars and the moon), high speed (a person walking ) and maybe some other settings. Although you may want to shoot everything in manual mode full one day, the basic functions is an excellent place to start.Playing with your camera will help you learn all the functions and all the possibilities available to you. It is also important to learn your camera's limitations, which generally comes from the research and time spent with the camera. You may find that the limitations with time can be used to work for you, and not just against you.If you work with the camera point-and-shoot, which has a single lens that is built into the camera, you probably will soon see that when shooting something in the distance, you have limitations as to how close you can zoom in on the subject. This same limitation can be overcome with a digital SLR (single-lens reflex) camera by simply changing to a longer zoom lens. Buying a separate lens for digital SLR cameras can quickly become an investment, however, so it is best to really think about what your needs are and how much you are willing to spend.All cameras can be used far more effectively with additional support tripod, monopod, or a beanbag. Although sometimes the camera can support improvisation in the field, it can be very helpful to have additional tools to support. Tripod and monopod can provide sharper image dramatically in various conditions.
TAKING PART II PHOTOS: Nature Photography for BeginnersKnow Your SubjectIn the art of nature photography for beginners, knowing your subject is very important. Do you intend to shoot pictures of flowers or frogs, ants or elephants, it is crucial you know some basic information about them.# For example, with the flowers you will want to look for them when they are in bloom and look for them where they like to grow. # If the animal is more your interest, know where they can live, what they like to eat and what time of day they may be active is a good starting point.# If you are intending to photograph more dangerous animals in the wild, such as bears, deer, crocodile, rhino or a lion is better if you do it with an experienced woodsman or wildlife guide.It may be a surprise for you, but a good photographer is actually possible to spend much time reading about the subject referred to before they go out and try to photograph them. Some spend more time at the local library or online to do research, than they do on the field really took a picture.
PHOTO TAKING PART III: Nature Photography for BeginnersReading LightPhotography is really coming into a simple action to catch the light. See and understand how light can be used and really captured photography an art form itself. Some of the most skilled photographers of all time, such as Edward E. Curtis or Ansel Adams, who is very skilled in using light to make their subjects clearly visible. Here are some of the many ways to see the use of light in nature photography for beginners:# Light and shadow: when you look at the subject, notice only light and shadow. What shape do you see?# The light behind the subject: the subject is the background dark or light? What if you change your angle relative to the subject?# If the subject is an animal, is there a light in the eye? Or your imagination?# Is the light in the picture to add or take away from the subject?# Come back to the most basic questions, like: what you want to capture in this photo?CompositionArt of composition is another important part of photography. How the elements are arranged in the photo and where they are an important subject of great falls. There are many aspects of composition, so let us focus on just a few here. Although beauty certainly in the eyes of viewers, some images seen as beautiful by someone more than another photo.What makes a great photo?How can I make my photos stand out, and express beauty to others?Are there any secrets out there that I can use to make my photos better?These are some questions you are bound to ask yourself when you are working to create or improve the composition. Actually, there are several techniques that can help you on the right track with the composition of the photo as you practice nature photography for beginners.Rule of Thirds #: Draw 4 set of lines in the image so that the image is divided into 9 equal-sized rectangles. Note where the lines intersect, and when taking photographs, trying to put the subject in one of these points intersect.# Centering the subject: This technique is used by most people experience. You just put the subject in the center of the frame. Try to take a few variations of the same subject using a centered and rule-thirds.Photo viewer's eyes tend to follow a certain path while looking at pictures. Eyes tend to come and to exit along a particular path. Find some pictures you really enjoy and look at where and how your eyes travel through the frame.# Interesting or interfere with the eyes: Remember to focus on the elements that draw the eye to the subject, and try to exclude those that distract the eye from the main subject.# Balance: Does the picture feel balanced to you? You can frame your subject so that the overall picture was balanced. For example, if you place the subject on the right, the vertical third line and then try to put another topic on line 1 / 3 vertical on the left as well. Compare with photos where you have only one subject on one line. See which you like better.# Horizontal vs. vertical: Try experimenting with shooting both horizontal and vertical versions of the same subject. Of course there are times when you will find one look better than others.# Using color: Focus on color is a great way to attract the viewer's eyes. Experiments with the same color theme in your pictures. Also, try using colors to the opposite effect, creating something flashy with a different background or foreground starkly.Nature photography for beginners is very valuable and fun craft that can be honed to mastery with time. There are many more details and techniques to work in the study of nature photography

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