Tips for Beginning Nature Photographers

Suzette Brumbaugh

I began taking pictures at the age of 8, when my father gave me my first box camera. But as an adult, I didn’t feel that my photos captured the true beauty of the landscape. I always wondered how the pros got such beautiful nature shots.

So my husband and I decided to take a photo workshop.  That’s when the bug really bit us! Our goal is to keep improving our skills. And along the way, we hope to share with others a little bit of what we've learned.

Our best photo tips:

• 1. Slow down. We always look the area over for the best angle before we even get our cameras out. Sometimes it takes an hour before we snap our first picture.
• 2. Always use a tripod. You’ll be surprised how much sharper your pictures turn out.
• 3. Try different angles. You can really improve an image just by changing the angle, and by trying the same shot as a horizontal and as a vertical.
• 4. Keep it simple. We believe that less is more. Don’t overdo it with composition.
• 5. Go back to your favorites. Everyone has favorite spots. Visit them often to check out the mood of every season and the light at different times of day.
• 6. Back to basics. Go online or find a book and read up on the basic rules of composition. Checking the edges of your frame, not centering all your photographs and other simple guidelines are always helpful.
• 7. Watch the background. By moving a foot or two to either side, you can avoid distracting elements and light spots in the background.
• 8. Timing is everything. Shoot in soft morning or golden evening light.