Nature photography

Here we’ll take a look at the most common camera equipment, and some simple tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your photos.

Cameras

Cameras can come in all shapes and sizes but the most common are:

• Camera phone: phone cameras are getting more advanced by the day and are a great and handy choice if you don’t have access to anything more. The only downside of these is the limited user control they offer.
• Compact – small and lightweight, these smaller models often have a great zoom but can be less powerful than even modern camera phones.
• Bridge – these offer a bit more control and have a similarly great zoom. They have a fixed lens and are generally midweight.
• DSLR – these offer full user control as well as interchangeable lens options. They are much heavier and bulkier and more expensive than any of the above.

No matter what type of camera you’re working with, the main thing is to practice. Use the camera you have as much as you can, experiment and try out different things, and learn as much as you can about its functionality until you’re comfortable using it. Technique is more important than having the most expensive camera.

Did someone say ‘technique’?

There are a few simple but fundamental techniques to consider when it comes to taking photos.

• Clean your camera lenses regularly with a microfibre cloth or a dust brush and cleaner spray. Other materials may scratch the glass of the lens.
• Use a tripod, or a smaller monopod or gorrilapod, or even a wall, rock or car, to rest your camera on when you can. This will help you keep it steady and keep the horizon straight.
• Keep your feet flat on the ground, hold your camera with two hands and keep your elbows in, to provide more control and support.
• Always use the camera strap – the last thing you want is for your camera to take a tumble.
• Clean your camera lenses regularly with a microfibre cloth or a dust brush and cleaner spray. Other materials may scratch the glass of the lens.

Make the subject clear

As a photographer, you choose the message that you want to communicate. The subject of your photo could be a person, a tree, or a garden. Make it clear what you want the viewer to be looking at. An overcrowded shot can take focus away from your main subject and dilute your message.

Keep your horizon straight

It’s all too easy to snap a quick photo and only realise later just how wonky it is. It’s very common for people to naturally lean slightly, so make a conscious effort to check your horizons before taking a shot. Most cameras have built-in gridlines which can be very helpful with this.

The rule of thirds

Another great use of the gridlines is to help position your subject within the camera frame. The gridlines will normally evenly divide your image into thirds from top to bottom and left to right. A common rule is to keep your subject slightly off-centre and on the cross-section of two of the gridlines, rather than making them perfectly centred in the image.

Natural patterns

Grand vistas can be stunning but look a bit closer and you’ll see that nature is full of beautiful patterns; the bark of a tree, the veins in a leaf, the petals of a flower, the intricacies of a spider-web. Once you start looking, you’ll see them everywhere! These make great photos, so experiment with capturing some of those close-up shots (or you can use a zoom if you’re worried about disturbing anything).

Look at things differently

Photography is a great way to get creative and look at things from a different point of view. Consider the foreground, midground and background of your shots and look for leading lines, such as a railway line, pier, or pathway, that might draw the viewers eye into the shot. Capture something from below that you would normally view from above. Play around, you’ll be surprised at what a difference a change in point of view can make.

We worked with Jo Foo Wildlife Photography to explore some fun challenges you can set yourself to help you practice taking photos, thinking about composition and point of view, and get creative. Give them a go!

• Take three photos of three different things from interesting angles and perspectives and ask someone else to correctly identify the subject of each photo.
• Take three photos of the same subject but in different ways and from different perspectives. Think about how different perspectives can communicate a different message to the viewer.
• Connect to nature using the 5 Senses grounding exercise:
  1. Look around you. Notice and name five things that you can see.
  2. Tune in to your sense of touch. Notice and describe the texture of four things you can touch.
  3. Listen carefully. Notice and name three sounds you hear in your environment.
  4. Take a deep breath. Notice and name two smells you recognize.
  5. Focus and name one thing that you can taste right now. You can take a sip or bite of something, or simply notice the current taste in your mouth.

• Take a series of photos where the subject of each is one of the colours of the rainbow. Make this more of a challenge by trying to do it in order, starting with red.
• Try taking photos from below a subject looking up, and above a subject looking down and see what a difference it can make.
• Find a story in nature and tell it in a series of 3 photos, giving it a beginning, a middle and an end. Ask someone else to look at your series and identify the story you’re trying to tell.

Photography is a great skill to have but can also be an incredibly mindful practice. Combining it with nature is a great way to improve mental health, encouraging you to leave the busy world behind you as you immerse yourself in the natural world, connect with your surroundings, and even discover new places around you.

Special thanks to Jo Foo Wildlife Photography for all of her help in putting these handy tips and tricks together.

Useful links

• Jo Foo Wildlife Photography offers nature photography classes, well-being photography walks, workshops, and talks and presentations across Scotland.
• This guide from Derek Neilsen expands on the tips above and also looks at what camera accessories to use and what camera settings are best suited for nature photography, as well as having some beautiful photographs of nature to marvel at.
• If you’re keen to meet other photography enthusiasts, this list of photography groups and clubs across Scotland from the Society of International Nature and Wildlife Photographers may help.
• The Royal Photographic Society runs events across Scotland for photographers at any stage of their photography journey.
• Get some inspiration or even just spend some time looking at beautiful photographs from all across Scotland, by following this account on Instagram.
• If you’re feeling really confident and want to showcase your new-found photography skills to the world, the Scottish Nature Photography Awards runs annually.
• Learn more about working with your community to take positive action for nature and improve your local wildlife by signing up to our free online Pioneers Programme course. Find out more about the programme and register for free here.