Outdoor Photography Tips

There is no end to the wonders of the outside world – a chaotic mix of strong, rising mountains, gentle forests, serene lakes and much more, the natural landscape can invoke a range of emotions. It is this intrinsic connection to human life that has seen the wild scenery around us inspire so many artists, from authors and poets to painters and modern filmmakers.

Many more people are now looking to escape the bustle of modern living and explore these natural paths, which has led to a growth in the number of people taking up nature photography! If you are one of those looking to capture a beautiful scene for your new phone wallpaper of homely canvas print, then check out these simple tips and tricks to improve your shots!

Plan with Light

When it comes to outdoor photography, the natural light is one of, if not the most potent weapon in your arsenal and cannot be ignored. The power and direction of the sunlight can transform landscapes and will wildly change over one day, so a combination of skill and understanding is required to get that perfect shot.

If you know where and what your subject is going to be, then it will help your image to learn at what angle the sun rises and sets against it. These ‘golden hours’ are widely seen as the best for nature photography and will help to frame your photos in a whole new light – literally!

Be Patient

While we all enjoy the idea of artists having that eureka moment where an incredible image suddenly arrives out of nowhere, the reality is often very different, especially in outdoor photography. The natural landscape is often much more dynamic than we realise and capturing it, especially if you want to include animals, will require a lot of time and waiting. However, your patience will often be rewarded through a more honest, natural shot that feels right at home in the outside world.

The Rule of Thirds

So much of photography is about being yourself and expressing what you see. However, some basic rules will always be useful to follow, especially if you are looking to add a touch of professionalism or character to your shots. One of the most common examples of this fact is the Rule of Thirds, one of the most popular and useful rules in all photography.

The Rule of Thirds is the grid layout that is commonly available on most devices, be it smartphones or high-end cameras. Divide your frame into a three-by-three grid and try and position the subjects of your image on the four points where the lines cross, while also placing your horizontal and vertical frames along these lines – this could include a skyline, hillsides or trees and buildings. By following this simple rule, your images will instantly feel much cleaner and more comfortable on the eye than before.

Get Creative

Outdoor photography is taking off, with many people coming across stunning pictures and videos every day of our lives – this is what inspires so many of us, after all! What the best photos often have in common is a sense of individuality – a feeling that this was a special moment that has been magically captured on camera. However, it doesn’t necessarily take a once-in-a-lifetime moment or earth-defying view to create a unique photo.

By being patient, understanding your focus and what you want to achieve from your photography, you may be able to discover a new side to your image that no one has seen before. Make time to experiment with perspectives, focus and other camera settings, and maybe you’ll uncover some of nature’s secrets.

Explore!

Nature photography is a great way to get outdoors and explore, and the two of them go hand-in-hand! You may have a favourite place that you love taking pictures of, but by stretching our strides and heading further into the natural world will provide many benefits to your photography. Not only will exploration help you to discover new and exciting locations to capture but it also allows us to explore new perspectives, developing more techniques and ideas that can be used across a range of scenes and scenarios.

Outdoor photography is a great excuse to get out and explore the natural landscape. By lacing up our lightweight hiking boots and heading out into the wilderness, we can not only discover something new about the world around us but also about ourselves, taking time to switch off and recapture our place on the planet. If you have more beginner’s tips for hopeful snappers, why not join in the discussion on our social media channels?